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.

PROCESS	DIE CASTINGS	PRECISION SAND CASTINGS	RUBBER PLASTER MOLDING	INVESTMENT CASTINGS	PERMANENT MOLDING	GRAPHITE PERMANENT MOLD
Weight Range	0-30 lb (0-15kg)	0-45kg	0~ 12 kg	0-20 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
Flatness	Within 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 Finsh	32-63 RMS	120-175 RMS, except on cored areas	63-125 RMS	63-125 RMS	150-300 RMS	63 RMS or better
Minimum Draft Required	1° to 3°	0.5° to 3°	0.5° to 2°	None	2° to 4°	1° to 2°
Minimum Wall Section	0.030"-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)	5mm	2.5mm
Typical Quantities	>2,000	All	<2,000	<1,000	>500	500-1500
Typical Tooling Cost (N.R.E.)	$3k-$100k	$800-$4k	$3K - 15K	$3K - 10K	$5K - 15K	$1.5K - 5.5K
Nominal Lead Time	Samples: 4-6 wks; Production: 4-6 wks after 1st article approval	Samples: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 approval	Samples:3-6 wks. Production:2-4 wks. after approval. Lifetime use.

Data source courtesy: Special Metals Supply, Inc.