DIE TERMINOLOGY

Sprue holes are tapered with the small end located at the breaking point when the die is opened. A sprue
pin, located in the ejector half, makes the sprue hollow and deflects metal entering the die into the runner
system.
Runners are channels located at the parting line to route liquid metal from the sprue hole to the gate.
Gates are passages through which metal enters the die cavity. They have an important function in directing
metal flow so that the cavity is correctly filled. Air is expelled through vents as molten metal enters the die
cavity.
Guide pins assure proper alignment of die halves and correct register of cavities.
Side walls and cores are designed to have a slight taper or draft. The largest diameter or cross section of a
cavity must be located at the parting line (unless slides are used) so the casting can be removed from the
die. As molten metal in a die cavity solidifies, it shrinks away from walls onto core pins and other
projections. The design of the die must permit withdrawal of core pins, and ejection without applying too
much pressure which could cause deformation to the die casting.
Cores, fixed or moveable, as well as "loose pieces," must be positioned to facilitate removal either
mechanically or by hand. Loose pieces used to form undercuts must be positioned by the operator. This
requires extra labor, and usually slows the casting cycle.
Inserts can be cast integrally to provide special characteristics.
Most dies are cooled by water circulating through channels drilled for that purpose
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TYPES OF DIES
Dies are classified as: single cavity, multiple cavity, combination and unit dies (Figures 4-A to 4-D).
A single cavity die requires no explanation. Multiple cavity dies have several cavities which are all identical.
If a die has cavities of different shapes, its called a combination or family die. A combination die is used to
produce several parts for an assembly. For simple parts, unit dies might be used to effect tooling and
production economies. Several parts for an assembly, or for different customers, might be cast at the same
time with unit dies. One or more unit dies are assembled in a common holder and connected by runners to a
common opening or sprue hole. This permits simultaneous filling of all cavities.