Manufacturing Alternatives for Die Cast Parts
Get parts faster and save development costs with CNC machining or 3D printing for custom metal parts.
Certification + Compliance
ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 13485:2016 | AS9100D | ITAR
CNC Machining
- Short lead times (as fast as 1 day)
- Reduced cost per part at low volumes
- Predictable and uniform material properties
- Fine surface finishes and tighter tolerances
Metal 3D Printing
- Short lead times (as fast as 1 day)
- Complex geometries and fine features
- Unmatched design freedom
- No tooling costs for prototypes or low volume production situations
“For us to be successful, we need to respond rapidly to what we are learning on the racetrack, and to do that we require a partner that is able to bring these ideas to life. As a digital manufacturer, Protolabs allows us to make those weekly incremental improvements that lead to season-long success.”
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team Principal Jason Kehl.
Faster Alternatives for Metal Parts
Casting processes are widely known for providing engineers with key technical benefits, especially for parts which have complex geometry, as parts become larger in size, or if assembly consolidation is a priority.
However, casting can have some challenges such as inconsistencies in material properties, higher tooling costs, and more involved quality assurance and analysis.
Compare CNC Machining and 3D Printing
| CNC Machining | 3D Printing | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Part Size | 22 in. x 14 in. x 3.75 in. | Large format metal printing: 31.5 in. x 15.7 in. x 19.7 in. |
| Tolerances | +/- 0.005 in. (tighter tolerances available when submitting a 2D technical drawing) | +/- 0.003 in. |
| Materials (metals only) | Aluminum Brass Copper Stainless Steel Steel Titanium |
Aluminum Stainless Steel Titanium Inconel Cobalt Chrome |
| Post-Processing (for metals only) | Bead blast Anodize (types II & III) Powder coating Chromate Electroless Nickel Zinc Passivation |
CNC machining Heat treatment Cerakote Polishing |
Online Quoting with Design Analysis
Our advanced quoting platform does more than just offer up a price. It presents you with an array of choices—material options, shipping speed and more—to ensure that your parts arrive when you need them and at a reasonable price point.