This high performance self-drilling insert for plaster board (partition, lining, ceiling) is delivered with a self-tapping screw, forming two parts (cap and toggle) produced in a single casting operation. The parts are connected by four 0.9 mm diameter pins, which...
This range of pens – the “Golf” series – is characterized by clean lines and an antique appearance produced by symbols in fine relief on the surface. The thin castings – wall thickness of 0.7 mm – have enabled the total weight to be kept low, while the technology of...
The Delta Faucet’s construction is known as shell technology. It features a die-cast zinc cover, or escutcheon, over a brazed copper and brass assembly. The thin zinc cover is much more uniform than brass; it provides near net shape die casting with tolerances of...
This two-piece holder was developed for a precision scientific instrument. Both castings have detailed features requiring tolerances of +/-0.00025 in. Extrusion could not be used because it could not hold the tolerances, while CNC and wire EDM were not cost effective....
The Ericsson GE Mobile Communications’ M-PA personal radio incorporates three Zamak 3 die castings: the chassis or circuit board frame, the chassis shield, and the synthesizer housing. These castings combine to provide strength and rigidity demanded for...
Previously, the check valve was assembled from machined aluminium bar stock and brass pipe fittings. A net shape die casting was designed by consolidating the six-piece assembly into a single, net shape component. All holes and seven thread sets, including a male...
This single zinc die casting replaced an assembly of stainless steel components. By use of a single casting, rigidity was greatly improved and dimensional precision between critical dimensions was made more reliable. Zinc die casting permitted the required dimensional...
MICROPAX connectors have very demanding specifications which are met by zinc die casting, including: Complex design requirements to accommodate a variety of connectors, ranging from 40 to 200 connecting pins; flatness across the mounting plane within +/- 0.005 in, and...
The control boxes for Minn Kota electric motors went through several design phases before settling on zinc die casting as the material/process of choice. The boxes were originally sand cast aluminium and later die cast aluminium. Short tool life prompted engineers to...
Zinc die casting was chosen to produce this new generation of cable connectors. Critical standards that were met include wall strength to assure durability and to withstand bulk processing and proper matching of draft allowances on the internal surfaces for smooth...
The zinc pressure die cast corner stake, fastened with pop rivets, fits tightly into the Galvabond roll form section of the door. It has to compete with plastic molded, aluminium extruded, and aluminium pressed parts’ this is because of the many properties of the zinc...
Zinc die cast household gas expanders are often unnoticed but have performed reliably for more than 40 years, even as requirements have become stricter. Zinc castings allow meeting of the pressure tightness specification, which is that the assembly is pressure tight...
Cost savings were the initial reason for converting a number of steel stampings into this single zinc die casting. The surface flatness and dimensional precision between features such as fixing studs was greatly improved, this permitted more reliable assembly of...
The original fuel fitting design was an assembly of three screw-machined components–a brass orifice, an aluminum stop block and lock mount, and a stainless steel hose barb. By redesigning the assembly as a one-piece zinc die casting, a 56 percent cost reduction was...
Alloy 3 was chosen as the end cap material because of the ease with which it is processed. Both material and tooling cost are minimized, and the product can be made with existing expertise and plant equipment. Alloy 3 castings can be produced with high dimensional...
Zinc die cast pillars support two different heights of floor system. The first is a low height (60 – 100mm) system for cables only, and the second is higher (300 – 400mm), used for air ducts under the floor. Zinc die castings are designed for maximum strength....
The lever was originally designed as a steel sand casting with machining operations to size the shaft, pivot hubs, and cable connection holes. The final operation was a zinc plating. After a value analysis of an all-metal foot pedal control system, the materials...
Over time, the costs associated with machining the cast-iron switch cover eroded manufacturing margins. The decision was then made to zinc die cast the cover. Zinc had the density and weight Control International specified, and it provided better fit, quality, and...
Wen Products designed a new line of jig and pruning saws which required a rugged gear drive. This drive utilizes a complex case design which mounts to the motor, houses the drive gears, and guides the reciprocating blade. The case also provides the required spacing...
Mosaic mimic panels form a display system that provides an overall picture of complex operations and gives technicians the ability to monitor and control events. The system’s main advantage is its modular design, providing flexibility for easy modification and...
Pictured is one model of a range of decorative door handles. Zinc is used for the design because of its ability to easily take a plated finish and because it can be cast to accurate dimensions.
Zinc die casting offers numerous advantages over aluminum extrusion in a number of heat sink applications. Die cast zinc heat sinks offer one-piece construction, increased design flexibility, and lower cost. One of the biggest advantages is that heat-dissipating fins...
A worm/helical gear set operates the linkage attached to the roof window frame. Originally, the helical gears were machined from brass, reinforced with a formed steel insert and installed with a plastic washer/spacer. The assembled gear’s cost became a factor when...
The elements of this equipment (TYCAS) were created to detect the positions of approaching aircraft according to new security norms of the IATA. The process proved to be more economical compared to traditional machining despite limited series and to pressure die cast...
To meet market requirements, Medeco wanted to develop a new high security lock priced just below its top-of-the-line dropbolt lock. The high-end lock model is all brass. The housing cover is investment cast, and the thumbturn is a machined extrusion. As other...
Complexity of the shapes allows for the integration of multiple positions. The non-magnetic character of the zinc alloys compared to the plastics work in favor of the design’s long term dimensional stability and reliability.
The laser photocoagulator is used in the treatment of eye disease, particularly the treatment of broken blood vessels within the eye. Such a sensitive – and expensive – high-tech tool needs a housing which, besides its functional qualities of soundness, strength, and...
Field problems with a gear-driven lead screw assembly prompted the company’s engineers to re-evaluate the design. The gear drive comprised a steel screw-machined shaft and a plastic gear. Assembly required the plastic gear to be pressed onto the shaft. Failures...
The main feature of this lock design is that the handle is cast with a cylindrical shaped wall, but it is then post formed to a spherical shape. If the Alloy 3 used for this casting did not have high ductility, the final shape could not be achieved and the pressure...
The design requirements for the assembly’s 10-in.-long housing called for non-tapered walls in the meter chamber, allowing free rotation of the metering gears and zero draft in the valve area. Previous designs utilized two aluminum castings requiring secondary...
Designers of an ultra-compact scanner needed to reduce the internal envelope. The optics bracket was one component that was reduced in size but increased in functionality. The goal was to design a single mounting bracket that would accommodate a laser module, a...
Wave guides are built to exacting specifications in dimensional accuracy, straightness, and flatness. Hot chamber die casting enables critical cavity sections to be cast with little or no draft; very difficult in aluminium cold chamber die casting. Flatness tolerance...
The rigidity of this part ensures the quality of retro-vision due to the absorption of the vibrations compared to engineering plastics. Note the (omega) shape for the rigidity of the assembly. Rigidity inside the envelope (volume) and reduced width of the assembly...
A four-piece miter gear assembly utilized zinc die casting for strength and precision. Both pinion gear shafts and housing halves are die cast net-shape, achieving full functionality without a cost penalty compared to alternative designs (thermoplastic housing/gears...
Zinc die casting was chosen to reduce cost of an antenna base for mobile radio equipment, which was originally a brass screw-machined part. Powder metallurgy was evaluated, but it couldn’t achieve the required undercuts without machining. Zamak 2 alloy was specified...
This chassis for a motor drive unit for an automatic opening roller door was made from several pressed metal parts prior to being designed as a zinc die casting. Die casting in zinc alloy 3 provided numerous benefits: 1.) Additional features such as pockets, the...
Ignition switch corrosion was the source of customer frustration and concern. Standard panel nuts, like the ones used to secure the ignition switch to the riding mower control panel, are made of stamped steel. The die cast company’s technical staff proposed changing...
Initially, the hub–two intersecting cylinders–was a brazed assembly. Cylinders were screw machined from solid brass. Operations included turning, drilling, internal milling, cut-off, and rolling of one cylinder end to accept a plastic transition piece. The redesigned...
The part is machined on guiding bores and reference faces. It substitutes for the pressed steel plate for several reasons: its high precision realized on machined diameters Ø < 0.02 mm and for the cost efficiency.
This part, which replaced a machined steel part, required precision tolerances for the diameter of the bores and the spacing between them. Zinc casting also provided the required dimensional stability over time and permitted this complex shape to be cast in one piece...
Zinc alloy pressure die casting has been chosen by the IER company for the four parts that make up the structure of this ticket printer. The specification set by IER required materials and technology that would enable the production of: complex shapes, so that the...
Initially, the Q-LOK design was all plastic for low-impact sports. However, for high-impact sports such as soccer and football, the added strength of zinc alloy was necessary to meet impact requirements. Die cast zinc provides the receptacles with superior corrosion...
The regulator for Turner’s self-igniting torch has a design criteria specifying pressure tightness, strength, cleanliness and metal-chip free, net shape, and cost-effective manufacturing. A screw-machined aluminium or brass regulator was first considered, but both...
Originally, safety belt retractor housings were plastic injection molded. The plastic housings were easily damaged and caused retraction to malfunction. To meet performance standards, zinc die casting was selected to produce the housing and meet performance and...
The initial design brief for the slave lock was that it had to have suitable mechanical properties to meet security door standards, have minimum design complexity, and use the most logical material for its purpose. Initially a hybrid construction was considered, using...
The KitchenAid mixer utilizes zinc die castings for all of its structural components–the 4-1/2-quart pedestal model incorporates seven zinc castings, and the 5-quart bowl support model incorporates eight zinc castings. Zinc castings provide a number of design...
This product is a cylindrical zinc pressure die cast component with an internally die cast thread that functions to tighten the fitting on an outdoor water hose. Zinc alloy no. 3 was chosen because of its stiffness and bright finish that is unaffected by ultraviolet...
A dollar bill changer incorporated top and bottom sensor plates fabricated from welded stamped components. The weldments could not hold tolerances greater than +/- 0.020 in. In an effort to resolve dimensional instability and fit problems, the manufacturer, working...
For three generations, B-V has been producing heavy-duty, specialty hand punches from two sand-cast malleable iron halves. Sand casting inaccuracies required sorting and extensive fitting to locate matching halves. Thickness variations up to 0.025 in. were...
The Whistler Spectrum 3SE waveguide horn is a complex Zamak 3 die casting providing detail, net shape, and thin wall construction. The current horn replaces three separate pieces utilized in earlier models. One component now performs four distinct functions: a horn...