Tooling for Die Casting
High-pressure die casting molds can be machined out of Aluminum, H13 Tool Steel, or P20 Tool Steel. Users can specify the number of cavities, part maximum wall thickness (for cooling time calculations), and part tolerance, as well as several other tooling cost drivers.
Gravity casting molds can use 4140 Tool Steel or H13 Tool Steel. Users can specify the number of cavities, mold material, part tolerance, and maximum wall thickness, as well as several other tooling cost drivers.
Trim dies can use D2, A2, or S7 Tool Steel. Users can specify die material, among other tooling cost drivers.
The tooling model estimates the number of parts that can be produced with a given tool before it wears to the point that it needs to be replaced. Based on that estimate, the cost model determines the number of tools required to manufacture the production volume specified in the Production Scenario tab of the Cost Guide, and accounts for that number of tools in total hard tooling cost.
Tool-life estimation is based on part material, tool material, and tool coating type. For a given costing, either the formula Dependencies or Investment tab displays the number of tools assumed by tooling cost calculations.