Center Gate: an innovative die casting method

Does your part design require external gears or threads where a parting line would significantly affect part performance?

We know our customers are in the business of producing strong, high-performing parts, and that the highest level of performance requires optimised production processes. If your project is experiencing part failure due to uneven porosity or weakness around parting lines, our Centre Gate technology could be the answer to your problems.

What is centre gate technology?

As the name suggests, centre gating is a process in which molten metal is injected into the centre of the part, causing the metal to radiate evenly outwards from the gating system. Once the die has filled and solidified, a central core pin pushes the gate away and ejects the component.

With conventional die casting, the gate is often located on the side of the thickest point of the casting, with a runner system on the opposite side of the die to force molten metal through the part and achieve even density throughout. However, for circular components or components with external threads, it can be difficult for this method to achieve the desired strength and density levels evenly throughout the part.

Currently, our centre gate process works best with all zinc alloys due to their high strength and exceptional hardness. Multi-Slide zinc components are an ideal alternative to machined, pressed, stamped and fabricated components.

Benefits of centre gating for your die cast component

Optimising your die cast design with a centre gate solves a number of issues associated with complex part requirements and geometries. See below for a list of benefits you can gain by incorporating a centre gate into your design.

Circular parts

A centre gate is an excellent solution for circular parts with gears and external threads that require tight tolerances. When the gate is designed within the core or hole of the part, components can be manufactured with tooth-to-tooth tolerances and very high density.

Optimum material flow

Centre gating provides optimum material flow from the centre of the part to the outer edges, eliminating microporosity and providing greater density than other casting alternatives.

Flash-free

Because the metal is injected through the centre of the component, parts are flash-free. By removing parting lines on the outside of the component, secondary operations are eliminated—reducing production time compared with other methods.

Eliminate secondary operations

Centre gating eliminates the need to trim, thermally deburr, machine the centre hole, wash, and more.

Cost savings

Machining fixture and tooling costs are greatly reduced when you can design using a centre gate.

Centre gate industry application

Gating through the centre solves problems for many components found in the automotive industry. Pinions, for example, are crucial components required for the successful movement of automatic seats. The part must be near-perfect and extremely dense to support the weight of very large seats. In addition to automotive parts, centre gating also provides solutions for commodity pieces found in industries such as fitness and personal care, as well as the electronics industry.

Center Gate at Dynacast Peterborough

Dynacast Peterborough developed our Center Gate technology in 2008. Dynacast Peterborough, located just outside Toronto, serves customers throughout North America. The capabilities offered by Center Gate technology expanded Dynacast's existing range of Multi-Slide technology, standard die casting with integrated automation, and IMA  (a type of insert moulding) precision zinc manufacturing.

This facility is one of the only manufacturing plants offering Center Gate as a solution. Our expert engineers provide value engineering for all customers and designs, assessing whether a part would benefit from transitioning from external gating.