How thick is too thick?

[lookalion]

Hello again,

Correct thickness????

Ok my manufacturer has come up with this method of production for the attached aluminium base I require.

"We shall have to make a " Hot Steel Dye weighing about 300 kgs from the tool room and then use a Pressure Die Casting Machine ,when the molten for is put in the steel dye it shall be clampem to a presuure of 250tonnes."

My question for the design attached. What thickness should the base be? We need it to be strong enough for shipment but it does not have to hold the weight of anything at all, it just sits there. Is 3mm too much... lighter the better for shipping.

Thanks for your answers and any comments you may have on his production technique would be appreciated too.

Cheers
Mr Lion

[HuFlungDung]

I'd say 10cm would be too thick. What about the rest of you guys?

[jgro]

What material are you casting it from? Zinc parts can have thinner wall sections than aluminum. Aluminum parts typically are cast with .125 in (3 mm) wall sections minumum. Zinc parts can go thinner than that. You should ask the diecaster what he would feel comfortable with. He's the one that has to make money making the parts.

jgro

[lookalion]

Ok thanks. So really 3mm anodised aluminium is as thin as it could be????

[jgro]

You need to check with the diecaster. If the part is too thin, he/she will not be able to fill the mold consistently, which results in scrap, which means money out of their pocket, which means they will pass that cost on to you with higher piece/part cost. Every part is unique and every diecaster is different. They have the expertise to tell you if it will work or not. Sorry I couldn't give you more of a definative answer.

jgro

[atemylunch]

Hello Lion,
Your getting into some expense there.
I still say you should machine the part.
It will cost far less than a set of dies.
If you are going to cast the part you are doing it right.
(a side note; avoid sand casting, with aluminum).
For your information, anodized aluminum is NOT a material.
It is is a plating type of process. If you do not clean up and polish the part it will look like hell. It will not hide any flaws in the part.

Have you considered having the piece stamped? If it doesn't support anything it's thickness shouldn't matter.

Be careful, sometimes your focus can cloud your judgment.

Max