Glossary - Casting Terms
Glossary - Casting Terms
Glossary - Casting Terms
A substance
two or more
metals,
or ofmetals,
a metal
Alloy. Acomposed
substanceofcomposed
of two
or more
or and
of aa
non-metal.
The
alloy
elements
are
dissolved
in
each
other
when
metal and a non-metal. The alloy elements are dissolved in each
molten
andwhen
fusedmolten
together
solid. Most
aredie
other
andwhen
fuseda together
whendiea castings
solid. Most
madecastings
from alloys.
are made from alloys.
Blister
Cavity. The space within the die casting die that is the size and
A casting
characterized
by a molten
smoothmetal
bumpflows
on the
shape ofdefect
the part
to be cast. The
intosurface
this
of space
the casting
and auntil
holeit has
inside
the casting directly below the
and is held
solidified.
bump.
Cavity Insert. A separate die component inserted into the die
Alloy,
CertifiedZinc
Zinc. A program implemented by the ADCI in
Alloy,
Certified
A program
ADCI
which
participating
die
zinc dieimplemented
castings testedbytothe
certify
theyinare
maintaining
the correct
casting
companies
alloy
content. regularly have their zinc die castings tested to
certify they are maintaining the correct alloy content.
The
physical opening of the die casting die when the internal
Clamping Force. The actual force applied by the die casting
force
of the shot exceeds the locking force of the machine. The
machine to keep the die halves closed. This may be less than the
blow causes flash and excessive casting thickness.
Cold Chamber
Castibility
Anodize.
A chemical
an electric
current
in a
A light
silvery metal
that is process
used as using
the major
constituent
in many
solutionalloys.
to produce a hard and dense oxide protective surface on
die casting
a part.
Anodize
As-Cast.
As-Cast
attached to
The condition of a die casting when the runners, flash, and overflowsAutomatic
have been Operation.
removed, but
surface finishing,
machining,
or
Annoexpression
used to describe
a die
coating
operations
have
performed.
casting
machine
thatbeen
operates
continuously without an operator
initiating each cycle, lading the molten metal, or removing the
casting.
Auto-Ladle
a particular alloy.
The
totalActuating
number of
events required
to make
For
Core
Mechanism.
The various
partseach
of a casting.
die casting
diedie,
casting,
the cycle
generally
solidification
time,
and their
mounting
to theconsists
die that of
controls
or retains
the machine
movement,
and
the
operators
manual
movements.
cores movement. The mechanism may include cams, slides,
detents, angled pins, and hydraulic cylinders.
Cavity
to space
form awithin
cored hole
die casting.
The
the in
diea casting
die that is the size and shape of
the part to be cast. The molten metal flows into this space and is
Density. The unit mass of material, usually expressed in pounds
held
until it has solidified.
An expression
used to describe a die casting machine that opersurface of the casting and a hole inside the casting directly below
ates continuously without an operator initiating each cycle,
the bump.
ladling
the molten metal, or removing the casting.
Blow. The physical opening of the die casting die when the
internal force of the shot exceeds the locking force of the
Benching
machine. The blow causes flash and excessive casting
thickness.
The hand
finishing of die casting die cavity surfaces.
Castibility. The relative ease that a molten metal flows through a
casting die. More generally, the relative ease that a casting can be
made with a particular alloy.
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Core Pins. A hot work tool steel pin, usually H-13, that is used
Die. A Insert
tool used to impact the shape to the casting. Specifically,
Cavity
two matching steel blocks with their cavities that shape the
molten metal
until it solidifies.
A separate
die component
inserted into the die block to form an
external feature of the casting. Sometimes the entire cavity block
Die Block.
The
block
of steel that forms the base for one
is referred
to as
thelarge
cavity
insert.
half of the die casting die. All other components of the die are
attached to or mounted on the die block.
Clamping Force
theactual
parting
line applied
or in theby
direction
slide movements.
growth
The
force
the dieofcasting
machine toAkeep
the
blow closed.
can occur
in may
smallbeamounts
substantial
flash of
dieorhalves
This
less thanwithout
the clamping
capacity
theevident.
die casting machine.
(continued other side)
technical,
management
programs.
A diemarketing,
casting machine
inand
which
the molten
metal pressure chamber is not submerged in the molten metal to be cast. The metal is
System.
ofmachine
pins, bushings,
and wear
ladledAlignment
into the shot
sleeveAofsetthe
prior toblocks,
each shot.
plates that work together and cause the two die halves to align
properly.
Cold Shut
A defect
inand
a die
casting that
shows
a line on
castinginsurmetal
a non-metal.
The
alloy as
elements
arethe
dissolved
each
face. other
This is
caused
when
metal
flows when
meet,abut
are Most
too cold
when
molten
andtwo
fused
together
solid.
die
to fuse
together
castings
are properly.
made from alloys.
A partzinc
of adiedie
castingtested
die that
formsthey
an internal
featurethe
of correct
the
castings
to certify
are maintaining
casting
(usually
a feature with considerable dimensional fidelity)
alloy
content.
and is a separate piece from the cavity block. A core may be fixed
in a stationary
position
the cavity
may as
be actuated
Aluminum.
A lightrelative
silverytometal
that isor used
the major
through
some movement
time
the die is opened.
constituent
in may die each
casting
alloys.
A chemical
process using
CoreAnodize.
Actuating
Mechanism
an electric current in a
solution to produce a hard and dense oxide protective surface on
a part. parts of a die casting die, and their mounting to the
The various
CoreAuto-Ladle.
Pins
A mechanical metal feeding delivery device usually
to asteel
coldpin,
chamber
dieH-13,
casting
machine,
part aof a
A hotattached
work tool
usually
that
is used or
to aform
coredfurnace
hole insystem.
a die casting.
Die Biscuit.
matching steel blocks with their cavities that shape the molten
casting defect characterized by a smooth bump on the
metalBlister.
until it Asolidifies.
surface of the casting and a hole inside the casting directly below
the bump.
The
half ofThe
a die
casting
diethethat
thethat
ejection
Cavity.
space
within
diecontains
casting die
is the system
size andand
thatshape
mounts
to
the
moving
platen
of
the
die
casting
machine.
of the part to be cast. The molten metal flows into this
space and is held until it has solidified.
Die,
Trim
Cavity Insert.
blockusually
to forminan
externalpress,
feature
of cuts
the casting.
Sometimes
the
A die,
a power
that
the runners,
overflows,
entire
cavity
block
is
referred
to
as
the
cavity
insert.
and flash off the die casting.
Clamping Force. The actual force applied by the die casting
machine
Die,
Unitto keep the die halves closed. This may be less than the
clamping capacity of the die casting machine.
Dimension, Critical
A dimension
on a This
part is
that
mustwhen
be held
the specified
casting surface.
caused
twowithin
metal flows
meet, but
tolerance
fortothe
part
to function
in its application.
are to cold
fuse
together
properly.
Core. A part of a die casting die that forms an internal feature of
Draft
the casting (usually a feature with considerable dimensional
fidelity)
and placed
is a separate
piece from
the cavity
block. be
A core
A slight
angle
on surfaces
that would
otherwise
parallel
may
be
fixed
in
a
stationary
position
relative
to
the
cavity
maysurto the direction in which the die opens. The draft allowsorthat
be to
actuated
somethe
movement
eachas
time
die is opened.
face
move through
away from
cavity wall
thethe
casting
is removed
from
the
die.
Core Actuating Mechanism. The various parts of a die casting
die, and their mounting to the die that controls or retains the
movement. The mechanism may include cams, slides,
detents, angled pins, and hydraulic cylinders.
cores
Eject
To push the solidified casting out of the cavity of the die casting
die.Core Pins. A hot work tool steel pin, usually H-13, that is used
to form a cored hole in a die casting.
Die Block
Flash
The large
block
of steel
thatshot
forms
the base
one half
of of
thethe
internal
force
of the
exceeds
the for
locking
force
die casting
die. The
All other
components
of theand
die excessive
are attached
to or
machine.
blow
causes flash
casting
mounted
on the die block.
thickness.
A thin
fincasting
of metal
a casting
which occurs
at die
half web
of theordie
die.onAll
other components
of the
die partare
ing,attached
air vents,
around
cores. This excess metal is due
to orand
mounted
onmovable
the die block.
to the necessary working and operating clearances in a die.
Blow. The physical opening of the die casting die when the
made the
withdimensional
a particular alloy.
Describes
growth of a casting across the parting
line or in the direction of slide movements. A growth or blow can
occur in small amounts without substantial flash evident.
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Die Block. The large block of steel that forms the base for one
technical,
management
programs.the runner to the
A thinmarketing,
passage for
moltenand
metal
which connects
die cavity. Also, the entire ejected content of a die, including the
Alignment
System. biscuit
A set of
bushings,
blocks, and wear
castings,
gates, runners,
(orpins,
sprue),
and flash.
plates that work together and cause the two die halves to align
properly.
H-13 Steel
A large thick flat steel plate that is a major part of a die casting
Castingframe.
Cycle. The total number of events required to make
machine
each casting. For die casting, the cycle generally consists of
solidification time, machine movement, and the operators
Porosity
manual movements.
An airmetal
hardening
hot work The
tool alloy
steel elements
of fine grain
structureinand
and a non-metal.
are dissolved
each
high cleanliness
is exclusively
used forwhen
making
die casting
other when that
molten
and fused together
a solid.
Most die
dies for
casting
zinc alloys.
castings
are aluminum
made from and
alloys.
Any
void within
a die
casting
was notdieintentionally
creCavity.
The space
within
the that
die casting
that is the size
and
ated.
This
includes
such
voids
that
are
open
to
the
surface
shape of the part to be cast. The molten metal flows into of
thisthe
casting
as those
completely encased within the
space as
andwell
is held
until itthat
has are
solidified.
casting.
Alloy,
Certified Zinc. A program implemented by the ADCI in
Hole,
Cored
block to form
an external feature of the casting. Sometimes the
Pressure
Tightness
In a die
any hole
is formed
core in thethe
diecorrect
castzinccasting,
die castings
testedthat
to certify
they by
are amaintaining
ing die.
A content.
cored hole is distinguished from a hole that is added
alloy
after the casting has been made (as by drilling).
A measure
of the integrity of a die casting in terms of its ability
Clamping Force. The actual force applied by the die casting
to contain
a
fluid under pressure. The method of testing and the
machine to keep the die halves closed. This may be less than the
pressure used must be stated.
Cold Chamber
Runner
A chemical
process
using an
electric
current
in a
A dieAnodize.
casting machine
that has
the molten
metal
pressure
chamsolution toinproduce
a hard
and dense
protective
surface
ber immersed
the molten
metal
in theoxide
holing
furnace.The
ad-on
a part.
vantage
of the hot chamber machine is that the pressure chamber
refills naturally after each shot is made.
As-Cast. The condition of a die casting when the runners, flash,
and overflows have been removed, but no surface finishing,
Injection
machining, or coating operations have been performed.
A piece
of material,
usually metal,
which isused
placed
in a die and
Automatic
Operation.
An expression
to describe
a die
becomes
an integral
the diecontinuously
casting afterwithout
moltenanmetal
is
casting
machinepart
that of
operates
operator
cast around
it. each cycle, lading the molten metal, or removing the
initiating
casting.
Metal
SaverThe hand finishing of die casting die cavity surfaces.
Benching.
A shape
madeThe
on the
cavity
a diemetal
casting
the sole
Biscuit.
excess
of of
ladled
thatfor
remains
in purpose
the shot
of displacing
diedie
casting
fromThe
the biscuit
casting.
sleeve onunnecessary
a cold chamber
castingalloy
machine.
is The
part
shapeofplaced
theand
casting
by thefrom
metal
is not
the castonshot
is removed
thesaver
die with
the required
casting. for
the function of the casting.
Blister. A casting defect characterized by a smooth bump on the
surface of the casting and a hole inside the casting directly below
Overflow
the bump.
A small
reservoir
cavity added
to of
thethe
exterior
of the die
die when
cavitythe
(on
Blow.
The physical
opening
die casting
a parting
line)force
to receive
or cold the
metal
duringforce
cavityoffill.
internal
of theimpure
shot exceeds
locking
the
Also machine.
used to generate
added die
heatflash
in theand
localexcessive
area.
The blow
causes
casting
thickness.
Parting
Line
Castibility. The relative ease that a molten metal flows through a
castingmark
die. More
generally,
the relative
ease
that
a casting
be
A line-like
around
a die casting
where
the
two
halvescan
of the
madetogether.
with a particular alloy.
die came
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to the cavity.
The
metal -some
consisting
of the
castings,
overbesolidified
actuated through
movement
each
time the runners,
die is opened.
flows, flash, and biscuit (or sprue) - as it is when removed from a
Actuating
dieCore
casting
die. Mechanism. The various parts of a die casting
die, and their mounting to the die that controls or retains the
cores movement. The mechanism may include cams, slides,
Shot
Sleeve
detents, angled pins, and hydraulic cylinders.
The
molten
ofsteel
a cold
die casting
Core
Pins.metal
A hotchamber
work tool
pin,chamber
usually H-13,
that is maused
chine.
Thisa cored
is a hardened
steel
tube through which the shot
to form
hole in a die
casting.
plunger moves to inject the molten metal into the die.
Shut-Off
In two
a diematching
casting die,
placewith
where
twocavities
surfaces
areshape
fitted the
steelany
blocks
their
that
together
with
the
intent
of
stopping
the
flow
of
any
molten
metal
molten metal until it solidifies.
between them.
Die Block. The large block of steel that forms the base for one
half of the die casting die. All other components of the die are
Slide
attached to or mounted on the die block.
Any
member of a tool, die, or machine that moves in a straightDie Blow. Describes the dimensional growth of a casting across
line motion and is not parallel to the die pull.
the parting line or in the direction of slide movements. A growth
or blow can occur in small amounts without substantial flash
evident.
plates that
and cause
two hole
die halves
The portion
of awork
cast together
shot formed
by thethe
sprue
in the todiealign
properly.
casting die.
Alloy. A substance composed of two or more metals, or of a
Statistical
Control
metal andProcess
a non-metal.
The alloy elements are dissolved in each
other when molten and fused together when a solid. Most die
Tie Bar
The bars
(usually
that connect
constituent
in round),
may die casting
alloys. the stationary platen to the
adjustable platen on a die casting machine.
Anodize. A chemical process using an electric current in a
Any condition in a die casting die cavity that restricts the ejection
of theAuto-Ladle.
casting. A mechanical metal feeding delivery device usually
attached to a cold chamber die casting machine, or a part of a
furnace system.
Unit
Zinc
Cavity.
The space within the die casting die that is the size and
shape of the part to be cast. The molten metal flows into this
The
major
the solidified.
zinc-based die casting alloys.
space
andconstituent
is held untilof
it has
Cavity Insert. A separate die component inserted into the die
block to form an external feature of the casting. Sometimes the
entire cavity block is referred to as the cavity insert.
Clamping Force. The actual force applied by the die casting
machine to keep the die halves closed. This may be less than the
clamping capacity of the die casting machine.
Cold Chamber Machine. A die casting machine in which the
molten metal pressure chamber is not submerged in the molten
metal to be cast. The metal is ladled into the shot sleeve of the
machine prior to each shot.
Cold Shut. A defect in a die casting that shows as a line on the
casting surface. This is caused when two metal flows meet, but
are to cold to fuse together properly.
Core. A part of a die casting die that forms an internal feature of
the casting (usually a feature with considerable dimensional
fidelity) and is a separate piece from the cavity block. A core
may be fixed in a stationary position relative to the cavity or may
be actuated through some movement each time the die is opened.
A cavity
block
for a die
diecontinuously
that can bewithout
installed
the
casting
machine
thatcasting
operates
aninto
operator
die block
without
the entire
die from
castingthe
initiating
eachremoving
cycle, lading
the molten
metal,theordie
removing
machine.
casting.
Core Pins. A hot work tool steel pin, usually H-13, that is used
to form a cored hole in a die casting.
machine for long service periods, and is complete with an ejection mechanism,
spruedefect
or shot
entries, andbyrunner
system,
no
Blister. A casting
characterized
a smooth
bumpbut
on the
cavities.
surface of the casting and a hole inside the casting directly below
the bump.
VentBlow.
the die.
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