Solutions for:
Runner Scrap
The runners, sprues and overflows in a Die Casting die are of no value whatsoever to the end user of the casting, so, from this aspect, they are a complete waste.
Melting Die Casting alloys is a costly operation, especially for aluminium. As well as the energy cost, there is the cost of the crucibles and of maintaining the furnaces. Labour is required to test and clean the metal, to handle the ingots and the molten metal as well as all the runner scrap itself.
Even worse, the surface area of runners and sprues is much greater than the surface area of an ingot. This creates much more oxidation which ends up as dross when the runners are re-melted. So, the metal losses from runners and sprues is much greater.
These are all good reasons why runners, sprues and overflows should be made as small as possible.
However, many Die Casting dies continue to be made with vastly oversized runners. In some cases this is because the costs of runner scrap is not known and not measured, so it becomes invisible – a hidden cost.
HotFlo! engineers have a lot of experience in minimising the cost of runners, sprues and overflows. This includes:
- Calculating the optimum size
- Designing runners with circular sections
- Using Delta gates
- Using hot sprue systems
We have even designed pressure die casting dies for parts which have no runners whatsoever. The metal feeds directly into the part.
To find out more, contact HotFlo! today.