Skip to content
Shenzhen Makers深圳创客

PR-07 · Process hubs

Die casting 压铸

Like injection molding, but for metal: strong, detailed zinc or aluminum parts at volume.
Die casting
Next meetup
SZDIY open night (weekly)Details →
Typical lead time (how long it takes)
5–8 weeks for tooling
Typical cost
Tooling higher than plastic molds; parts need trimming and machining
Minimum order (MOQ: the smallest order a shop will accept)
Often 1,000+
Best for
Metal housings, heat sinks and structural parts in thousands of units or more

What is it?

Die casting is like injection molding, but for metal. Molten zinc or aluminum is forced into a steel mold (called a die) to make strong metal parts with fine detail, like housings and heat sinks. The die is expensive, so it suits larger quantities. For a handful of metal parts, CNC machining is usually cheaper.

Design tips (DFM: designing so it's easy to make)

  1. 01Keep walls uniform and add draft
  2. 02Plan secondary CNC machining for precise features
  3. 03Choose zinc for fine detail and plating, aluminum for light weight
  4. 04Specify surface finish early (powder coat, anodizing isn't ideal on cast aluminum)

Shops for this process

Foreign-owned

Foreign-owned, foreign-managed factory (Sofeast group) with English-speaking staff in every department

Dongguan · Chang'an
Makes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
Contract manufacturing / box buildPCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)Injection moldingSilicone & LSR molding
Native-English project managerSource ↗
Chinese

DMG 5-axis and rows of 3-axis CNC in a 5,000 m² Chang'an base

Dongguan · Chang'an
In-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Foreign-owned

Proprietary zinc multi-slide die casting, invented in 1936

Dongguan · Dalang
In-house + partnersMass production
Die castingInjection moldingCNC machiningSurface finishing
English-speaking salesSource ↗

Sino-British founders (CEO Vader Yu and James Murphy) and English-speaking project managers

Shenzhen · Bao'an
Makes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machining3D printingUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication
English-speaking salesSource ↗

English-speaking NPI partner for startups, builds from 5 units

Shenzhen · Longhua
Partner networkPrototypesLow volumeMass production
PCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)Injection moldingSheet metal fabricationCNC machining
English-speaking salesSource ↗

Instant online quotes with automated DFM feedback for mechanical parts

Shenzhen · Bao'an
In-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningInjection moldingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗

In-house tool shop next to the casting floor

Dongguan · Dongguan (other town)
Makes in-houseMass production
Die castingCNC machiningSurface finishingFactory
English-speaking salesSource ↗

Kaierwo

凯尔沃
Chinese

New-energy prototypes: battery packs, charger housings, inverters, cooling modules

Shenzhen · Guangming
Makes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum casting3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
See all (8) →

Get 3 quotes

Get 3 quotes: Die casting

Describe the part once. We send it to up to 3 shops that fit, and they quote you directly.

By sending this you agree we can share these details with up to 3 shops. Some shops pay us per request or a commission; that never changes your price. See the privacy policy and referral disclosure.

Common questions

Die casting or CNC?

CNC for low volume; die casting once volumes justify the tooling.

Can die-cast parts be anodized?

Cast aluminum anodizes poorly; powder coating or painting is more common.