High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC)
Norfran is a metal foundry based in the North East of England (UK), providing outstanding High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) services. We specialise in Aluminium Die Casting and Zinc Die Casting.How does High Pressure Die Casting work?
High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) works by forcing molten metal into a steel mould (called a “die”) at very high pressure. Here’s the basic process:
- Melting — The metal (aluminium, zinc, etc.) is melted in a furnace until liquid
- Injection — The molten metal is injected into the steel die at very high pressure (typically 1,000–30,000 psi) using a hydraulic piston — this happens extremely fast, in milliseconds
- Solidification — The pressure is held while the metal cools and solidifies in the die cavity, taking on its exact shape
- Ejection — The die opens and ejector pins push the casting out
- Trimming — Any excess metal (flash, runners, gates) is trimmed off
- Finishing — The part may then go for machining, surface finishing, etc.
Why high pressure?
The pressure ensures the molten metal fills every part of the die completely before it solidifies, giving very precise, complex shapes with good surface finish and tight tolerances.
Key advantages:
- High production rates
- Excellent dimensional accuracy
- Good surface finish straight from the die
- Can produce complex thin-walled shapes
It’s ideal for high-volume components like automotive parts, housings, and brackets — which is exactly what Norfran specialise in.
