Tooled

Casting

Metal poured or injected into a mold, for shapes that cost too much to machine.

Overview

metal casting

Casting pours or injects molten metal into a mold. At higher counts it makes complex metal shapes for less than machining would. Sand, investment, and die casting differ in tooling cost and in how good the surface is.

Casting summary
Setup cost	Medium to high: a pattern or a die
Best at	Mid to high quantities, metal housings
Input	STEP model, checked for draft and wall thickness
Common materials	Aluminum, zinc, bronze, iron

Complex shapes

Internal channels and thick-to-thin sections are practical.

A tooling threshold

Die casting needs a die and sand casting needs a pattern. Either sets a minimum run.

Often finished by machining

Faces that must be flat are usually cut after the part is cast.

Who uses it

Designers who need metal casting

Need metal casting?

Publish the design. The platform matches each part to a shop that runs the process.

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