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Center Gate: An innovative die cast method
Does your part design require external gears or threads where a parting line would significantly affect the part performance?
We know our customers are in the business of strong, high-performing parts, and that the highest level of performance requires optimized production processes. If your project is suffering from part failure due to uneven porosity or weakness around parting lines, our center gate technology could be the answer to your problems.
What is center gate technology?
As self-evident from the name, center gating is a process in which molten metal is injected into the center of the part, causing the metal to radiate out evenly from the gating system. Once the die has filled and solidified, a center core pin will push the gate away and eject 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 the molten metal through the part to 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 center gate process works best with all zinc alloys due to its high strength and exceptional hardness. Multi-slide zinc components are an ideal alternative to machined, pressed, stamped and fabricated components.
Benefits of center gating for your die cast component
Optimizing your die cast design with a center gate solves a number of problems for complex part requirements and geometries. See below for a list of benefits you can gain from designing in a center gate.
Circular Parts
A center gate is a great 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 are able to be manufactured with tooth-to-tooth tolerances and very high density.
Optimum Material Flow
Center gating provides optimum material flow from the center of the part to the outside edges, eliminating micro porosity and providing greater density than other casting alternatives.
Flash-free
Because the metal is injected through the center of the component, parts are flash-free. By removing parting lines on the outside of the component, secondary operations are eliminated—cutting production time down from other methods.
Eliminate Secondary Operations
Center gating eliminates the need to trim, thermal deburr, machine the center hole, wash, and more.
Cost Savings
Machine fixture and tooling costs are greatly reduced when you can design using a center gate.
Center gate industry application
Gating through the center solves problems for many components found in the automotive industry. Pinions, for example, are crucial components needed for the successful movement of automatic seats. The part must be near perfect and extremely dense to support the weight of the very large seats. In addition to automotive parts, center gating also provides solutions for commodity pieces that we see in industries like fitness and personal care, as well as the electronic industry.
Center gate at Dynacast Peterborough
Dynacast Peterborough innovated our center gate technology in 2008. Dynacast Peterborough, located just outside of Toronto, serves customers throughout North America. The capabilities the Center Gate technology offered boosted Dynacast's existing repertoire of multi-slide technology, standard die casting with integrated automation, and IMA- Injected Metal Assembly (a type of insert molding) 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 or not a part would benefit from transitioning from outside gating.
