Manufacturing – Casting methods - European Aluminium Association

1.7 High pressure die castings
1.7.1 The HPDC process
Filling speed and intensification pressure differentiates high-pressure die casting
from most other casting processes.
After liquid metal is transferred to the shot sleeve (s. fig. below), the plunger slowly
closes to shut-off the filling port.
Schematic drawing of a typical cold-chamber diecasting machine
This is the only HPDC-type used with aluminium
The plunger is then moved towards the die at a controlled but high speed in order to
fill the die cavity.
With the potential for highly automated operation, the high-pressure die casting
(HPDC) process is capable of extremely high levels of productivity.
HPDC machines are size rated by the closing force (s. figs.)
HPDC machines:
5.4 MN (above),
35 MN (below).
Photograph of a fairly common 600 ton (5400kN) diecast machine
Source: IdraPrince
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