El costo del procesamiento de fundición a presión se refiere al gasto total de fabricación de piezas fundidas a presión., cubriendo la adquisición de materiales, operación del equipo, uso de molde, mano de obra, y posprocesamiento. Varía mucho, por ejemplo, aluminum alloy parts processed by a 200-ton machine may cost ~\(0.45/kilos, mientras que las piezas complejas de aleación de cobre con requisitos de alta precisión pueden superar \)5/kilos. This huge gap stems from multiple interrelated factors. But what exactly makes up the cost? How do different factors affect the final price? And how can you get an accurate quotation to control costs? This article answers these questions with detailed data and practical guidance.
1. Breakdown of Die Casting Processing Cost: Core Components
Die casting processing cost is not a single figure—it consists of 5 mutually influencing components. The table below details each part, its proportion, and calculation basis:
| Cost Component | Typical Proportion (Total Cost) | Calculation Method & Key Details | Puntos de referencia de la industria (Aleaciones de aluminio) |
| Costo de materiales | 50–60% | (Raw material price + waste loss rate × raw material price) × part weight- Waste loss rate: 8–15% (depends on process; higher for complex parts) | Raw aluminum price: \(2.5–\)3/kilos; total material cost per kg part: \(2.7–\)3.45 |
| Equipment Operation Cost | 15–20% | (Machine hourly energy consumption × electricity price + machine depreciation) ÷ hourly output- Machine depreciation: Calculated over 8–10 years (200-ton machine: ~$80,000 initial cost) | 200-ton machine: \(0.15–\)0.2/kilos; 300-ton machine: \(0.25–\)0.35/kilos |
| Mold Cost | 5–10% | (Mold manufacturing cost + maintenance cost) ÷ total production quantity- Mold life: 50,000–100,000 shots (aluminum alloy molds) | Simple mold: \(5,000–\)10,000; complex mold (with sliders): \(20,000–\)50,000 |
| Labor Cost | 8–12% | (Number of workers × hourly wage) ÷ hourly output- Automation level affects labor needs: Fully automated lines need 1–2 workers/line; semi-automated need 3–5 | Hourly wage: \(15–\)25; labor cost per kg part: \(0.12–\)0.3 |
| Post-Processing Cost | 5–15% | Cost of cutting, chorro de arena, enchapado, o tratamiento térmico- Complexity drives cost: Simple deburring is cheap; precision CNC machining is expensive | Desbarbado: \(0.05–\)0.1/kilos; chorro de arena + enchapado: \(0.5–\)1.2/kilos |
2. Key Pricing Models for Die Casting Processing
Manufacturers use 2 main pricing models to calculate costs—each suitable for different scenarios. The table below compares their pros, contras, y casos de uso ideales:
| Pricing Model | Calculation Formula | Ventajas | Desventajas | Ideal para |
| Equipment Tonnage-Based Pricing | Cost per kg = Base rate (per tonnage) + material premium (if using non-aluminum alloys)- Ejemplo: 200-ton machine: \(0.45/kilos; 300-ton machine: \)0.65/kilos | Simple, fast calculation; easy for customers to understand | Ignores part complexity; may overcharge for simple parts | Large-batch, piezas simples (p.ej., soportes automotrices, basic hardware) |
| Itemized Costing (Precision Quotation) | Total cost = Material cost + equipment cost + costo del molde + labor cost + post-processing cost + profit margin (10–15%) | Accurate; reflects part-specific requirements; fair for both parties | Time-consuming; requires detailed part information (dibujos, materiales) | Complejo, piezas de alta precisión (p.ej., componentes de dispositivos médicos, piezas aeroespaciales) |
3. Core Factors Influencing Die Casting Processing Cost
Multiple factors cause cost fluctuations—some can increase expenses by 30% or more. Below is a detailed analysis of 6 key factors with quantitative impacts:
A. Tipo de material (Biggest Cost Driver)
Different metals have vastly different prices and process requirements:
- Aleaciones de aluminio: Lowest cost (\(2.7–\)3.45/kg material cost); fácil de procesar; ideal for most general parts.
- Aleaciones de zinc: Slightly higher cost (\(3.5–\)4.2/kg material cost); good for small, piezas precisas (p.ej., carcasas para electrónica).
- Aleaciones de cobre: High cost (\(8–\)10/kg material cost); requires higher temperature and pressure; used for heat-conducting parts (p.ej., disipadores de calor).
- Aleaciones de magnesio: Premium cost (\(6–\)7.5/kg material cost); lightweight but requires strict safety measures (flammable); used in aerospace/automotive lightweight parts.
B. Part Complexity & Diseño
Complex designs increase mold, mano de obra, and post-processing costs:
- Structural Complexity: Parts with sliders, hydraulic core pulling, or insert installation add 20–50% to mold cost. Por ejemplo, a part with 2 sliders costs 30% more than a simple part of the same weight.
- Wall Thickness: Uneven wall thickness (ratio >3:1) reduces production efficiency by 15–25% (more rework needed), increasing labor and equipment costs.
- Precision Requirements: Tolerances tighter than ±0.1mm require precision machining, agregando \(0.3–\)0.8/kg to post-processing cost.
do. Order Volume (Critical for Cost Reduction)
Larger batches lower unit costs due to economies of scale:
- Lotes pequeños (<10,000 regiones): High unit cost—mold cost is spread over fewer parts. Por ejemplo, a \(10,000 mold for 5,000 parts adds \)2/part to the cost.
- Medium Batches (10,000–50,000 parts): Balanced cost—mold and equipment costs are spread reasonably; manufacturers may offer 5–10% discounts.
- Lotes grandes (>50,000 regiones): Lowest unit cost—automation is feasible, labor costs drop, and material suppliers offer volume discounts (5–15% off raw material prices).
D. Mold Condition & Mantenimiento
Poor mold condition increases rework and scrap rates, driving up costs:
- New Molds: Low scrap rate (<2%); no extra maintenance cost in the first 10,000 shots.
- Worn Molds: Scrap rate rises to 5–8%; require monthly maintenance (\(200–\)500/moho) to fix gaps or surface damage.
- Customer-Supplied Molds: If the mold needs debugging (p.ej., adjusting core position) or overhaul (p.ej., Reemplazo de componentes desgastados.), additional costs of \(500–\)2,000 may apply.
E. Post-Processing Requirements
Additional operations significantly increase costs—each step adds 5–15% to the total:
| Post-Processing Step | Cost Impact (Per kg Part) | Objetivo |
| Desbarbado (manual) | \(0.05–\)0.1 | Quitar los bordes afilados |
| Mecanizado CNC | \(0.8–\)2 | Achieve high precision (±0,05 mm) |
| Arenado | \(0.2–\)0.4 | Improve surface roughness (Real academia de bellas artes <1.6µm) |
| Enchapado (chrome/nickel) | \(0.8–\)1.5 | Enhance corrosion resistance and aesthetics |
| Tratamiento térmico (T6) | \(0.3–\)0.6 | Increase tensile strength (from 200MPa to 300MPa+) |
F. Regional Cost Differences
Labor, electricity, and rent vary by region, affecting overall costs:
- North America/Europe: High costs—electricity (\(0.15–\)0.25/kWh), mano de obra (\(15–\)25/hora); total cost per kg part: \(4–\)6.
- Asia (Porcelana, Vietnam): Lower costs—electricity (\(0.05–\)0.1/kWh), mano de obra (\(5–\)10/hora); total cost per kg part: \(2–\)4.
- South America: Medium costs—electricity (\(0.1–\)0.15/kWh), mano de obra (\(8–\)12/hora); total cost per kg part: \(3–\)5.
4. Guía práctica: How to Get an Accurate Quotation & Control Costs
To avoid overpaying and ensure cost transparency, follow these 4 pasos:
Paso 1: Prepare Detailed Information for Manufacturers
Proporcionar 3 key pieces of data to get a precise quote:
- 2D/3D Drawings: Include dimensions, tolerancias (p.ej., ±0,1 mm), and structural details (p.ej., number of sliders).
- Material Specifications: Clarify alloy type (p.ej., A380 aluminum, CARGAS 5 zinc) and quality standards (p.ej., ASTM, ISO).
- Order Details: Annual purchase volume, delivery schedule, and post-processing requirements (p.ej., “need sandblasting + T6 heat treatment”).
Paso 2: Compare Quotations Smartly
Don’t just choose the cheapest—evaluate 5 factors:
- Cost Breakdown: Ask for a detailed breakdown (material, equipo, moho, etc.) to check for hidden fees.
- Capacidades del equipo: Ensure the manufacturer has machines matching your part’s needs (p.ej., 300-ton machine for large parts).
- Quality Certifications: Look for ISO 9001 (calidad) or IATF 16949 (automotor) to avoid rework costs from poor quality.
- Plazo de entrega: Longer lead times may mean higher inventory costs; choose manufacturers with 2–4 week lead times for standard parts.
- After-Sales Service: Check if they offer mold maintenance or defect replacement—this reduces long-term costs.
Paso 3: Negotiate for Cost Savings
Use these 3 strategies to lower costs without compromising quality:
- Volume Commitments: Promise annual volumes >50,000 parts to get 10–15% discounts on unit costs.
- Long-Term Partnerships: Sign 1–2 year contracts for stable pricing (avoids raw material price fluctuations).
- Optimización del diseño: Work with the manufacturer to simplify designs (p.ej., reduce sliders, balance wall thickness) to cut mold and process costs by 15–20%.
Paso 4: Monitor Costs During Production
Track 3 key metrics to avoid cost overruns:
- Tasa de chatarra: Keep it <3% (promedio de la industria); higher rates mean wasted materials and labor.
- Mold Maintenance Frequency: Schedule maintenance every 10,000 shots to prevent unexpected downtime (costos \(500–\)2,000/hora).
- Desperdicio de materiales: Optimize part nesting (arrange multiple parts in one mold) to reduce waste loss rate from 15% to 8–10%.
5. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Die Casting Processing Cost
En Yigu Tecnología, we believe cost control in die casting is about balancing precision, calidad, and efficiency—not just cutting expenses. Para clientes automotrices, our itemized costing model (con 100% transparent breakdowns) and design optimization services reduced their total costs by 18%. For medical device manufacturers, we use shared molds (para lotes pequeños) to lower mold cost per part by 40%, manteniendo ISO 13485 estándares de calidad.
We’re advancing two cost-saving innovations: 1) AI-driven process optimization (reduces scrap rate to <2% and energy consumption by 12%); 2) Modular mold design (allows mold components to be reused across parts, cutting mold cost by 25%). Our goal is to help clients get high-quality die cast parts at competitive prices—turning cost control into a competitive advantage.
Preguntas frecuentes
- Why does the same part have different quotes from different manufacturers?
Quotes vary due to 4 factors: 1) Equipment efficiency (newer machines have lower operation costs); 2) Regional labor/electricity prices; 3) Quality standards (ISO-certified manufacturers charge more for better quality); 4) Mold reuse (manufacturers with existing similar molds offer lower quotes). Always ask for a cost breakdown to compare apples to apples.
- How much does mold cost affect the unit price of small-batch parts?
Para lotes pequeños (<10,000 regiones), mold cost is a major factor. Por ejemplo, a \(10,000 mold for 5,000 parts adds \)2/part to the unit cost—this can double the total price. To reduce this impact, ask about shared molds (split mold cost with other clients) or short-life molds (más económico, para <5,000 shots).
- Can post-processing be skipped to save costs?
It depends on the part’s use: 1) Non-visible, non-load-bearing parts (p.ej., internal brackets) can skip sandblasting/plating (guarda \(0.5–\)1.2/kilos); 2) Visible parts (p.ej., consumer electronics housings) need surface treatment to avoid aesthetics issues; 3) Load-bearing parts (p.ej., piezas estructurales automotrices) require heat treatment (cannot skip—this ensures strength and safety). Skipping necessary post-processing leads to higher defect rates and long-term costs.