General Application of Aluminum Die Casting

One of the largest industries that uses aluminum die castings in abundance is the automotive industry. From the earliest days, the need for vehicles to be light and efficient has been clear. Fuel economy, vehicle longevity, repairability and, more recently, emissions all relate in some way to weight. While carbon fiber is becoming more mainstream in manufacturing, aluminum die casting is still the preferred method for producing parts for engines, axles and other connecting elements. Considering the number of vehicles produced each year, it is easy to see why the automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of aluminum die castings.

The world of construction is vast, and with the integration of modern technologies, the home itself is becoming smarter. Previously, aluminum die casting was used to produce window frames, building frames and some lighting fixtures. But more and more the application of aluminum die casting parts in construction has increased. The electrical conductivity and heat flow is a primary reason why aluminum is a go-to favorite material in construction environment.

Before Steve Jobs took the stage in 2008 to announce the first iPhone, the design, look and feel of a cell phone was similar. They weighed little and were made of cheap plastic, and while some manufacturers experimented with other materials, including Apple’s iPod, the general consensus was the same: plastic phones. But with the turn of the decade came a course correction, as phones became modern computers with needs for extreme processing and calculations, they started to get hot. The solution was simple: aluminum cases and aluminum parts that acted as heat sinks. They were light and durable to go along with the heat sinks, so it was an obvious solution. But that is not to say that phones are the only electronics to use aluminum die cast parts, from fluorescent lights to washing machines, you can find aluminum parts everywhere.

Wind energy is becoming an ever present and increasingly necessary aspect of power generation in recent times. There are a growing number of companies currently manufacturing wind turbines, equipment for storing and transporting the energy generated by such plants, and aluminum die castings are playing their part in creating lightweight, electrically conductive parts. Even in old school mining operations, the need for lightweight equipment cannot be overstated. From drills to custom drilling and mining machinery, it would be hard to find less than 20 parts made from aluminum die castings.

Nowhere is the need for lightweight, corrosion-resistant parts greater than in aircraft and spacecraft. The first manned mission to the moon that successfully landed, the decent vehicle that touched the lunar surface had parts made of aluminum die casting. Even now, the propellers of airplanes and other important parts of airplanes are made of die-cast aluminum. The application of aluminum die casting parts in the manufacturing of airplanes or rockets cannot be underestimated.

Not only in the construction of a home, the application of aluminum die casting parts can also be found within the home. From lightweight tables to bookcases, from low-hanging light fixtures to table stands, there are opportunities for aluminum die-cast products in every room. Because aluminum die casting is cheaper and more reliable, while providing the same functionality as other materials, there has been a recent boom in the use of aluminum profiles and aluminum die casting parts.