Editing Die casting (section)

==Equipment==
There are two basic types of die casting machines: ''hot-chamber machines'' and ''cold-chamber machines''.<ref name=D2930/> These are rated by how much clamping force they can apply. Typical ratings are between {{convert|400|and|4000|st|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name=NADCA/>

===Hot-chamber die casting===
[[File:Hot-chamber die casting machine schematic.svg|thumb|Schematic of a hot-chamber machine]]

Hot-chamber die casting, also known as ''gooseneck machines'', rely upon a pool of molten metal to feed the die. At the beginning of the cycle the piston of the machine is retracted, which allows the molten metal to fill the "gooseneck". The [[pneumatic]]- or [[hydraulic]]-powered piston then forces this metal out of the gooseneck into the die. The advantages of this system include fast cycle times (approximately 15 cycles a minute) and the convenience of melting the metal in the casting machine. The disadvantages of this system are that it is limited to use with low-[[melting point]] metals and that aluminium cannot be used because it picks up some of the iron while in the molten pool. Therefore, hot-chamber machines are primarily used with zinc-, tin-, and lead-based alloys.<ref name=D2930/>

===Cold-chamber die casting===
[[File:Cold-chamber die casting machine schematic.svg|thumb|Schematic of a cold-chamber die casting machine]]

These are used when the casting alloy cannot be used in hot-chamber machines; these include aluminium, zinc alloys with a large composition of aluminium, magnesium and copper. The process for these machines start with melting the metal in a separate furnace.<ref>{{Citation |last= Parashar |first= Nagendra |title= Elements of Manufacturing Processes |publisher= Prentice-Hall of India Pvt.Ltd |location= City |year= 2002 |page= 234 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CU5-1iWZl6AC&pg=PA234 |isbn= 978-81-203-1958-5}}</ref> Then a precise amount of molten metal is transported to the cold-chamber machine where it is fed into an unheated shot chamber (or injection cylinder). This shot is then driven into the die by a hydraulic or mechanical piston. The biggest disadvantage of this system is the slower cycle time due to the need to transfer the molten metal from the furnace to the cold-chamber machine.<ref name=D330/>

<gallery>
Image:Magnesium_die_casting_dies.jpg|Open tooling and injection nozzle
Image:Diecasting_machine_cold_chamber.jpg|Complete working cell
</gallery>