The history of die casting can be traced back to the 19th century, and has undergone several important technological innovations and application expansions.
Early development
In 1822, William Jouch built the first casting machine with a daily output of 12,000 to 20,000 lead type, showing the production potential of the die casting process. In 1849, Sturges designed and built the first manual piston hot chamber die casting machine and obtained a patent in the United States. In 1855, Mergenthaler invented the printing die casting machine and began to produce low-melting point lead and tin alloy type. By the 1860s, it was used for zinc alloy die casting parts production. Modern development
In 1904, Franklin of the United Kingdom began to use the die casting method to produce automobile connecting rod bearings, pioneering the application of die casting parts in the automotive industry. In 1905, Dohler successfully developed a die casting machine for industrial production, die casting zinc, tin, and copper alloy castings. Wagner then designed a gooseneck pneumatic die-casting machine for the production of aluminum alloy castings.
In 1927, Czech engineer Joseph Pollack designed a cold chamber die-casting machine, which took die-casting technology a big step forward.
In the 1950s, the development of large-scale die-casting machines began, and in the past decade, die-casting machines began to develop in the direction of automation and intelligence.
In 1966, the American General Motors proposed a precision, speed and density die-casting method.
In 1969, the American Alex proposed a pore-free die-casting method for oxygen-filled die-casting.
Modern applications and technological progress Cold chamber die-casting and hot chamber die-casting: Cold chamber die-casting is suitable for metals that cannot use hot chamber die-casting processes, such as aluminum, magnesium, copper and zinc alloys with high aluminum content; hot chamber die-casting is suitable for filling molds of liquid and semi-liquid metals. Material Application: Zinc is the easiest metal to die-cast, economical and high in compressive strength for small parts; aluminum is lightweight and has high dimensional stability for complex and thin-walled castings; magnesium has a high strength-to-weight ratio; copper has high hardness and strong corrosion resistance. Improved Process: Including non-porous die-casting process to reduce casting defects and eliminate pores, direct injection process, precision and high-speed die-casting technology, and semi-solid die-casting, etc.
History of Die Casting
Die casting is a manufacturing process in which molten metal is forced into a mold cavity under high pressure. The mold cavity is created using two hardened steel dies that have been machined into shape. Once the molten metal solidifies, the die is opened and the casting is ejected.
The history of die casting can be traced back to the early 1800s when metalworking techniques were being developed and refined. The concept of die casting was first introduced by Joseph Bramah, an English inventor and mechanical engineer, in 1795. Bramah's hydraulic press was the first machine capable of applying enough pressure to force molten metal into a mold cavity.
The die casting process underwent significant advances in the mid-19th century with the invention of the hot-chamber and cold-chamber die casting machines. The hot-chamber die casting machine, patented in 1838 by Sturges and Hallock, used a reservoir of molten metal connected directly to the mold cavity, allowing for faster cycle times and increased production efficiency. The cold-chamber die casting machine, patented in 1849 by William Pangborn, used a separate melting furnace to inject molten metal into the mold cavity, allowing for the casting of higher melting point metals.
The use of die casting grew rapidly during the industrial revolution as demand for mass-produced metal components increased. The automotive industry was one of the driving forces behind the adoption of die casting, with companies such as Ford and General Motors using the process to produce engine blocks, transmission cases, and other critical components.
In the early 20th century, die casting continued to evolve with the development of new alloys and casting techniques. The invention of aluminum alloys with improved properties and the introduction of high-pressure die casting technology in the 1920s revolutionized the industry. High-pressure die casting allowed for the production of more complex and detailed parts with higher precision and tighter tolerances.
During World War II, die casting played a crucial role in the war effort by supplying aircraft and military equipment manufacturers with precision-engineered components. The demand for die-cast parts continued to grow in the post-war era as industries such as aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods adopted the process for their manufacturing needs.
In the latter half of the 20th century, die casting underwent further advancements with the introduction of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies. These technologies allowed for the design and simulation of complex die shapes and the optimization of casting processes for improved efficiency and quality.
Today, die casting is a highly efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process used in a wide range of industries, from automotive and aerospace to electronics and consumer goods. The process continues to evolve with the development of new materials, technologies, and techniques, making die casting an indispensable tool for the production of high-quality metal components.
In conclusion, the history of die casting is a testament to human ingenuity and innovation. From its humble beginnings in the early 19th century to its widespread use in modern industry, die casting has come a long way in revolutionizing the way metal components are produced. As technology continues to advance, the future of die casting looks bright, with endless possibilities for further growth and development in the years to come.
