For the last 45 years, NADCA has sponsored its International Die Casting Design Competition to showcase outstanding die cast designs while acknowledging the continuous contribution die casters provide to the manufacturing industry. As die castings become more complex, higher quality, lower cost, and more unique, it becomes important for die casters to be involved in the process early in the product’s design phase. A die casting is not a machined part, sand casting, or an extrusion. It is critical for die casters to effectively communicate to the designer requirements to make a quality casting. The winners of the 2019 International Die Casting Competition have exhibited a close relationship with their customer to produce castings that have a complex design, high quality, and ingenuity. These castings often expand the market for die casting and reduce the cost of the part compared to the previous manufacturing method.
Aluminum Die Casting Under 1 LB Winner
2019 Winner: Chicago White Metal
Award Nominee: CWM Engineering Team
Customer: Aerosonic Corporation
Part
Aircraft Altimeter
MATERIAL
A380
WEIGHT
0.22 lbs
END MARKET
Aviation
FUNCTION OF PART
Housing attaches to a cup-shaped housing, which protects the gears and mechanics of the altimeter. The "serrated" edge of the circular part of the component works in conjunction with the gears, all parts responding to the barometric pressure of the atmosphere.
PREVIOUS PROCESS TO PRODUCE PART
This part was a new part that was collaboratively designed by the Aerosonic and CWM engineering teams.
ADVANTAGES GAINED
Utilizes the high-pressure die casting process to create a net-shape product with the gears included. This process produces 130 castings per hour, which makes it faster and less expensive than other processes that could have been chosen for this product.
