High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC)
Norfran is a metal foundry based in the North East of England, providing outstanding High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) services, and specialising in Aluminium Die Casting and Zinc Die Casting for the UK and Europe.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 extremely high pressure. Here is the basic process:
- Melting — The metal (aluminium or zinc) is melted in a furnace until liquid.
- Injection — The molten metal is then injected into the steel die using a hydraulic piston — this happens within seconds.
- Solidification — The pressure is held while the molten metal cools and solidifies in the die cavity, taking on its exact shape.
- Ejection — The die opens and ejector pins within the die push the casting out.
- Trimming — Any excess metal (flash, runners, gates) is then trimmed off.
- Finishing — The part may then go for linishing, shot blasting vibratory deburring or machining (dependant on the requirements / application).
Why use high pressure?
The high pressure die casting process 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
- Reduced finishing requirements which can be costly
It is ideal for high-volume components like automotive parts, housings, heatsinks, lighting and brackets — which is exactly what Norfran specialise in.
Norfran Limited are proud members of the Cast Metals Federation and are ISO 9001 certified for Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001 certified for Environmental Management .
