The origin of casting

Even though modern-day casting uses various latest end machinery and technology, the casting process is as old as they come. The casting process was first introduced in Egypt back in 2800 BC. And during the bronze age, the power of casting revolutionized the way we utilize metal.

The next improvement in the world of casting was made by the Shang dynasty in China when they first introduced sand casting for the purpose of metal. And even to this day, Casting has been the most widely accepted and effective way to transform liquid metal into our desired shape.

That being said, the ancient era of casting and what we experience today are entirely different. Today, there are various different types of the casting process, among which Squeeze casting is one of the most popular. So let us dive right in and find out what it is all about.

What actually is squeeze die casting?

When we look at a general trait of the squeeze casting method, we can see that it involves two halves of a mold, similar to a die casting method. In that sense, it can be very similar to the regular casting process we see in our everyday construction.

However, the difference arises when we look at how the whole process is done. In case of a squeeze casting, the molten metal is first poured into the bottom half of the mold. Once that is fully done, and we make sure there is enough liquid metal to craft the desired shape, we press the other half of the mold onto the first one and press it into shape. In this aspect, squeeze casting can be found much similar to the traditional forging process.

In a nutshell, squeeze casting is a superior method that involves both casting and forging into one process and offers you hybrid creation of metal shapes. And it has both the trait of forging and casting; it is superior to both on an individual level.

The types of metal that can be used for the squeeze casting method

Looking at what material you can work with is the first step toward choosing your desired squeeze die casting process. You do not want to choose a casting method and finally realize that the material you want to work with is not supported.

The great news is, that you will not have to worry about these things if you are working with squeeze casting. That is because as long as you are planning on using metal for your crafting, almost all kinds of metal can be cast in this method. You can use both the ferrous metal and the non-ferrous metal for squeeze casting.

However, using non ferrous metals is much more common due to their relatively low melting temperature. With a low melting point, they are much easier and much more efficient to work with. Some of the most popular alloys that are cast by the squeeze casting method are Aluminum and magnesium.

Here at cex casting, we offer high-strength lightweight aluminum squeeze casting processing to ensure you have the best parts with your desired pressure and resistance requirements.

A brief dive into the squeeze casting process

Now that we know what squeeze casting is and which material is used for the casting process let us take a look at the overall process that takes place.

During regular casting, the manufacturing company usually pours the molten material inside the mold. The mold will have a cavity that has the shape of the parts. When the liquid is cooled inside the particular mold, it takes the shape of the desired part. Keep in mind that the mold cavity is a crucial focal point in the overall process, as it determines the final quality of the parts.

The molds can also be built for a temporary or long-lasting solution.

However, unlike the traditional die casting process, the squeeze casting process involves high pressure on the top half of the mold to transform the liquid metal into shape. Most of the high-quality and low-cost consumer parts and items you see in the market today are usually made out of the squeeze casting method.

Some examples of squeeze casting-made items are,

• Alloy knuckles.
• Frames.
• Brackets
• Wheels
• Automotive components
• And much more.

Tools needed for a proper squeeze casting process

Just like the materials, there are specific tools that are required for a squeeze casting process. The availability and the quality of these tools are the difference between average manufacturers and a Quality casting solution.

Here is the list of tools that are required.

Squeeze casting machine

This one, of course, is a no-brainer. In order to perform a satisfactory squeeze cast, the primary machine that you will need is the squeeze casting machine. This machine is the key to the injection of metal, filling the die, and solidifying the liquid to craft the parts.

There are also two unique options for these machines, depending on their shape. They are the Horizontal squeeze casting machine and the vertical squeeze casting machine.

These machines are also pretty heavy and can sometimes weigh up to 300 metric tons.

After ten years of sharpening a sword, Dr. Han took the guidance and cooperation of many professors at Harbin Institute of Technology. It took more than three years of research and development testing, scrapping six pieces of equipment, blasting countless molds, and investing a total of more than 5 million to be able to observe personally the historic moment of creating the perfect squeeze casting machine.

During the production process, due to the changes in various parameters such as equipment and molds, Dr. Han and his staff even disregarded their own safety.

After more than 1,000 days and nights of unremitting efforts the finalization of the casting machine was done. At present, the company has obtained 1 invention patent and 3 utility model patents.

Die heating system

The die used in the casting needs to be heated before it reaches the previously explained casting machine. For that reason, you need a heating system popularly oil heating system), which makes a combination of die and the metal.

Pressure system

You need a vacuum pressure system in order to perform the casting, For squeeze casting in particular high pressure is the key. This pressure system helps solidify the die, fills the shape of the mold, and ensures the creation of a part with unparallel strength.

 Final thoughts

From having the flexibility to create various shapes to ensure the best strength for your desired parts, squeeze casting has become one of the most popular casting methods globally. Here at cex casting, we offer high-strength lightweight aluminum squeeze die casting processing to ensure you have the best parts with your desired pressure and resistance requirements.

We also have worked with some of the biggest companies globally like Hisense, Mercedes-Benz, Disney, Ford, Honda, Haier and much more. So get back to us today and turn your dream casting into a reality.