FAQ
1. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for zinc die casting?
Our zinc die casting MOQ starts from 500 pieces for prototype tooling and design verification or market testing. For production tooling, MOQ typically starts from 2,000 pieces to ensure cost-effectiveness. We offer flexible production volumes from prototype quantities to million-unit mass production orders. We believe low entry barriers help you test the market risk-free before scaling up.
2. What is the typical lead time for zinc die casting tooling and production?
Zinc die casting prototype tooling (H13 steel): 15-25 days. Production tooling (premium H13): 25-40 days. Single-cavity tooling: 25-35 days. Multi-cavity tooling: 35-50 days. First production typically delivers within 4-6 weeks after tooling completion. All lead times include our free DFM review (completed within 24 hours of receiving CAD files).
3. Can you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before sharing design files?
Yes. We offer NDA signing before quotation, not just before production. Your CAD files, product specifications, and business information are treated as confidential assets. We have served clients in aerospace, medical devices, and consumer electronics sectors—protecting intellectual property is our standard practice, not an exception.
4. What is DFM analysis? Do you provide free DFM?
DFM (Design for Manufacturing) is an engineering review service we provide free of charge, completed within 24 hours after receiving your CAD files. Our engineers check wall thickness, draft angles, gate locations, undercuts, and castability issues before quotation, so you understand the expected results before production begins. Result: fewer modifications, lower tooling costs, and faster time to market.
5. How is pricing calculated? What factors affect my tooling and part costs?
Part price = Material cost + Processing/machining cost + Surface finishing + Volume discount. Tooling price = Tooling complexity × Cavity count × Steel grade (P20 / H13 / S136). We provide detailed quotations within 24 hours. Before sharing formal drawings, you can get a rough estimate based on product description—just send basic specifications and target quantities.
6. What CAD/CAM file formats do you accept?
We accept: STEP (.stp/.step), IGES (.igs), STL, DXF, DWG, Parasolid (.x_t), and PDF drawings. For zinc die casting, STEP files containing 3D models are recommended. If you only have 2D drawings or samples, we can perform reverse engineering to generate 3D models for a small fee.
7. Can I get prototypes/samples before mass production?
Yes, and we make it affordable. Our prototype tooling service can deliver 500-5,000 prototype parts within 2-3 weeks at a fraction of production tooling cost. All prototypes are available with dimensional verification reports upon request.
8. What tolerance precision can you achieve?
Our standard tolerance is ±0.05mm. For precision parts, we can consistently achieve ±0.02mm. For the first 100mm of zinc die casting, tolerance is typically ±0.05mm—for tighter requirements, we achieve it through CNC post-machining. All critical dimensions are measured using calibrated instruments with optional CMM verification.
9. Do you provide international shipping? How is export packaging handled?
We ship globally via DHL, FedEx, and ocean freight. Export packaging follows international standards: rust preventive oil + vacuum bag + wooden crate (IPPC certified for ocean freight). Each shipment includes packing list, Certificate of Origin (COO), and commercial invoice. Typical ocean freight time to USA/Europe is 3-5 weeks from port of shipment.
10. What surface finishing options are available for zinc die casting parts?
We offer mechanical polishing, chrome/nickel plating (zinc alloys have excellent plating adhesion), powder coating, e-coating, chemical conversion coating, painting, brushed finish, and sandblasting. Zinc alloys are particularly suitable for plating due to their excellent surface quality and plating adhesion characteristics. We source surface finishing from certified sub-suppliers to ensure consistent quality.
11. Can you provide one-stop manufacturing services (die casting + CNC + surface finishing + assembly)?
Yes. Beyond our core processes, we offer zinc die casting, aluminum die casting, CNC machining, tool making, surface finishing, and light assembly—all under one roof with a single point of contact. This reduces your supplier management burden and ensures stricter quality control across the entire value chain.
12. Which zinc alloy material should I choose for my product?
The right material depends on your product requirements: Zamak 3: General purpose, tensile strength 280 MPa, suitable for general applications, consumer electronics housings, decorative items. Zamak 5: Higher strength and hardness (tensile strength 340 MPa), suitable for structural parts, automotive components. Zamak 2: Highest strength in Zamak series (360 MPa), suitable for high-strength parts. Zamak 7: Better fluidity and surface quality, suitable for thin-wall casting. ZA-8: Better creep resistance, suitable for elevated temperature applications. Share your requirements (environment, loading, temperature, aesthetics), and our engineers will recommend the optimal material—included in our free DFM service.
13. What is the difference between steel and aluminum molds? Which should I choose?
Aluminum molds: Lower tooling cost (30-50% of steel molds), 2-3 week lead time, approximately 25,000 shot life, suitable for prototypes, pre-production, market validation. Steel molds (H13): Higher tooling cost, 4-6 week lead time, 500,000+ shot life, suitable for mass production (>10,000 parts). Recommendation: Choose aluminum molds for the first 25,000 shots to validate design, then upgrade to steel molds for mass production—FHY offers both options in-house.
14. What common defects should be watched for in zinc die casting?
Our DFM review addresses all these issues before production: Porosity → Incomplete filling or gas entrapment. FHY solution: Optimize gate location and venting. Shrinkage → Uneven cooling in thick wall sections. FHY solution: Uniform wall thickness design (variation within ±30%). Flash (burrs) → Insufficient clamping force. FHY solution: Use die casting machine with adequate tonnage. Distortion → Uneven cooling. FHY solution: Optimize cooling system design. Cold shut → Low pouring temperature or slow speed. FHY solution: Adjust pouring parameters.
15. What is the approximate cost of zinc die casting tooling?
Reference prices (USD, EXW): Simple single-cavity tooling (H13 steel): $3,000 - $8,000. Multi-cavity tooling (2-8 cavities, H13): $8,000 - $25,000. Complex/high-precision tooling (hot runner): $25,000 - $60,000+. Prototype tooling (aluminum molds): $1,500 - $5,000. Final cost depends on cavity count, steel grade, surface finishing complexity, and hot runner requirements. Send your product drawings, and we will provide a confirmed quote within 24 hours.
16. What advantages does zinc die casting have compared to aluminum die casting?
Zinc die casting excels over aluminum in several aspects: Better surface quality (as-cast Ra 1.6-6.3μm vs aluminum Ra 3.2-12.5μm), suitable for plated decorative parts; Longer tool life (500K-2M shots vs aluminum 100K-300K shots); Lower production costs (lower melting point, 30-40% energy savings); Better dimensional accuracy and stability; Can cast thinner walls (0.8mm vs aluminum 1.5mm); Excellent electromagnetic shielding properties. Suitable for applications requiring high surface quality, plating, small batches, or decorative parts.