Multi-slide tooling is designed to use 4 perpendicular slides in the tool to enable very complex and accurate castings to be produced. In some cases, up to 6 slides can be used, which may be at angles other than 90 degrees. The process is used principally for small zinc components but also Dynacast has developed a multi-slide machine for die casting magnesium parts.
The multi-slide tool is made up of the die block, sliders, crosshead and cover plate. Each die block has either a cavity and/or cores on its face, which together form the complete cavity and runner profile into which the molten metal is injected. These die blocks are mounted onto sliders, which fit precisely into a crosshead, ensuring repeatable opening and closing operations. A cover plate, bolted onto the top of the tool, holds all these components together.
Each slide is managed by our PC controller, and moves independently of the other, both during the closing and opening sequences. This provides tremendous flexibility, which ensures part integrity and prevents damage to the tool.
Ejection of the parts is achieved with an air-blast, which blows the shot clear of the cavity and into a padded collection mechanism.
The machines themselves cycle at speeds of up to 75 cycles per minute (4,500 shots per hour). This is achieved by using pneumatics, rather than slower hydraulics, to operate the different parts of the machine. Mechanical toggle mechanisms and hydraulic thrusters supplement the weaker locking force available with pneumatics, ensuring that the die casting tool is held together securely during the injection process. Dynacast has also developed fully hydraulic multi-slide machines, allowing us to further match the process to the part.