Zinc parts are stronger than brass or aluminium

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 22, 2005

Fielding Manufacturing has carved a successful niche for itself in the custom manufacture of high precision, micro and miniature zinc die-cast components.

In an era which has seen more and more production work going offshore, Fielding Manufacturing has carved a successful niche for itself in the custom manufacture of high precision, micro and miniature zinc die-cast components for customers in the telecommunications, fibre optics, architectural hardware, hand tool, appliance and medical products industries, and other OEM markets.

Using a proprietary high-speed four-slide machine process, Fielding can produce high precision parts as small as 0.020 x 0.030in with minimal part-to-part variation.

The company also offers a complete range of secondary operations and finishing.

"Successful production of high quality miniature parts requires control over the entire process", said company President, Steven Fielding, who decided to focus on the miniature end of the zinc die casting spectrum after starting the die cast operation in 1985.

"As parts get smaller, the degree of difficulty rises exponentially".

"You need to integrate all your disciplines from part design, tooling and processing, right through finishing and assembly".

The use of four-slide machine technology with proprietary programmable control gives Fielding the control and flexibility needed to produce precision parts with very complex geometry.

"Our process allows us to include numerous features, such as contoured shapes, very thin walls, flash-free sculpted shutoffs, and multiple cored through-holes", said Fielding.

The use of pneumatically operated machines with single cavity tools also allows very fast and repeatable cycle times, making production very economical.

By designing his entire process for volume production, Fielding is able to keep pricing very competitive, even against offshore parts.

"Our process is not labour-intensive", he said.

"Material is handled in volume through vibratory finishing; plating is done in batch loads, right down to the actual casting, where we focus in on the single part and high speeds".

The die casting process itself offers multiple advantages, especially when producing small parts, according to Fielding.

"The first thing part designers notice about the die cast process is the freedom of shape it allows".

"They can do more with their parts, add functionality, design in features for orientation, or design to facilitate assembly".

"They can consolidate several parts into a single casting or integrate fastening elements into a part, even incorporate such information as part numbers or corporate logos".

Zinc alloys also add benefits to Fielding's miniature part process.

"Zinc die-cast parts are often stronger and tougher than brass or aluminium, and offer better ductility as well", he said.

"Zinc parts can be made smaller, with finer detail and greater complexity".

"Zinc is also readily paintable and is easily plated with a wide variety of metals to provide a range of features and finish options".