Low-Volume Metal Casting Services
Aluminum, Magnesium, Zinc & Steel
One-off prototyping or 1000+ production parts
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While delivering prototypes to customers, we were frequently asked if we could provide low-volume metal casting services. Because of this, we started to look for metal casting suppliers in order to fulfill those needs. Unfortunately, the search proved frustrating. Big casting companies showed no interest in low-volume production, while the small casting companies couldn’t meet our quality requirements. It presented a challenge, but we took it as a business opportunity: if it was difficult for us to find the right companies for these projects, we knew it would be a good deal harder for overseas customers to find them.
After two years, we successfully developed relationships with a handful of medium-size casting partners who can meet our quality requirements and lead time requests. We are now able to offer high-pressure die casting in aluminum, magnesium and zinc, as well as investment casting in brass and all types of steel.
Why use 3ERP for Metal Casting?
It might sound counterintuitive to use a RP company for metal casting services, but we offer very good reasons for doing so:
- We have built up an excellent relationship with our partners for pressure die casting and investment casting.
- We have a huge amount of precision CNC machines for post-machining
- With our project management experience, we can guarantee a smooth transfer of information and punctual delivery.
Casting Materials & Finishes
- Aluminum
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Steel
- Sandblasting
- Polishing
- Plating
- Painting
- Powder coating
What is
Pressure Die Casting?
A process similar to injection molding, pressure die casting is a metal casting process in which molten metal is forced into a mold cavity to create metal parts. At 3ERP, we use certified machines and pressure casting dies to form your designs from molten metal — typically zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, pewter or other tin-based alloys. Our pressure die casting process is effective and very reliable, and can result in significant cost savings. Because of our flexibility, we can accommodate any project needs you may have – from small batches of 50 to as many as 1,000 pieces.
- Low cost per part when carrying out a large production run
- Excellent surface finish and dimensional stability
- Complex geometries can be made that require little or no post-machining
- Great for medium or large parts that would be slower and more expensive to machine
Metal Casting FAQ
Why use casting instead of a more accessible process like CNC machining?
Metal casting can be used to make very large parts with high tensile strength and complex parts with undercuts. Sometimes there is no alternative.
How is it economically feasible for 3ERP to offer low-volume metal casting?
We have a group of reliable casting partners who fulfill our casting needs, and we use low-cost 3D printed wax patterns to reduce the price for the customer.
Can you combine casting with other techniques?
We are adept at CNC machining extra features (such as engraving and minor details) onto cast parts.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
We generally accept metal casting orders of no fewer than 10 units.