Comparison of Standard Manufacturing Processes

The chart below summarizes the characteristics of the standard manufacturing processes to help you choose the right one for your products. We offer most of these processes.

PROCESSDIE CASTINGSPRECISION SAND CASTINGSRUBBER PLASTER MOLDINGINVESTMENT CASTINGSPERMANENT MOLDINGGRAPHITE PERMANENT MOLD
Weight Range0-30 lb (0-15kg)0-45kg0~ 12 kg0-20 lb (0-10 kg.)0 ~ 45 kg.0 ~5 kg
Tolerance±0.002" (±0.1mm); add ±0.015" across parting lines±0.5-3.0mm±0.2~3 mm±0.003" to 1/4"; 0.004" to 1/2"; ±0.005" to 3"; then add 0.003" per inch±0.4mm±0.2mm
FlatnessWithin 0.2mm (geometry dependent)Within 0.5mm (geometry dependent)Within 0.3 mm (geometry dependent)Within 0.015" (geometry dependent)Within 0.3mm (geometry dependent)Within 0.2mm (geometry dependent)
Surface Finsh32-63 RMS120-175 RMS, except on cored areas63-125 RMS63-125 RMS150-300 RMS63 RMS or better
Minimum Draft Required1° to 3°0.5° to 3°0.5° to 2°None2° to 4°1° to 2°
Minimum Wall Section0.030"-0.060" (0.8-1.5mm)Typical: 3.5-5mm; Minimum: 2.0mm (geometry dependent)Typical: 2.5~5mm. Minimum: 1.0mm (geometry dependent)0.060" (1.5mm)5mm2.5mm
Typical Quantities>2,000All<2,000<1,000>500500-1500
Typical Tooling Cost (N.R.E.)$3k-$100k$800-$4k$3K - 15K$3K - 10K$5K - 15K$1.5K - 5.5K
Nominal Lead TimeSamples: 4-6 wks; Production: 4-6 wks after 1st article approvalSamples:1-4 wks. Production:1-5 wks. after approval.Samples:2 - 4 wks. Production:1-5 wks. after approval.Samples:2-4 wks. Production:5-12 wks. after approval.Samples:8-20 wks. Production:10-12 wks. after approvalSamples:3-6 wks. Production:2-4 wks. after approval. Lifetime use.
Data source courtesy: Special Metals Supply, Inc.

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