Die Casting Tooling Inserts

Die cast tooling inserts are the least expensive form of die cast tooling. The high pressure die cast tooling inserts are usually nothing more than enough steel to produce the cavities and a little extra to accommodate the temperature fluctuations of the molten metal injecting under force. These inserts require heat treating to the proper hardness to extend tooling life. If the cavity inserts are too hard, they will fail from the high temperature of the molten metal and crack the steel. If the cavity inserts are too soft, they will damage easily and wear away too easily from erosion of the molten metal injecting under force.

Sometimes, a die casting toolmaker (because of lack of experience or because they are not following the American Die Casting Standards) will not use enough steel in the die cast insert, and it reduces the potential life (number of parts possible) of the inserts. Castings Aluminum knows and understands what is necessary to extend the life of die cast die or mold toolings for aluminum.

Inserts need to be mounted into a holder of some type that will allow the metal to inject into the insert, provide a pathway for the metal to go in, and the gasses that create porosity to escape. These holders are called by names such as "unit die", "mold base", or "family die". When you send us your existing die cast tooling inserts, we can mount your inserts into one of our many holders to produce aluminum die castings for your company.