Design Element | Suggestions (Industry Standard Values) | Reasons and Benefits |
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Wall Thickness | Typical minimum thickness: 5 - 8 mm | Ensures proper metal flow, adequate mold filling, and prevents defects such as porosity and shrinkage. |
Corner Radii | Minimum internal radii: 3 - 6 mm | Minimizes stress concentration, improves molten metal flow, and prevents cracking. |
Draft Angles | Draft angle: typically 2° - 5° per side | Facilitates easy pattern removal, reduces mold damage, and enhances surface quality. |
Fillets | Internal fillet radii: at least 3 mm | Reduces stress concentrations, improves casting strength, and assists metal flow into corners. |
Hole Sizes | Minimum hole diameter: 6 mm | Ensures proper mold filling, reduces casting defects, and allows easy core removal. |
Undercuts | Avoid or minimize undercuts | Simplifies mold construction, reduces mold-making costs, and decreases defects or mold damage. |
Surface Finish | Typical sand casting roughness: Ra 12.5 - 25 µm | Reflects typical sand casting surfaces; post-processing can improve surface finish if needed. |
Tolerances | Typical linear tolerance: ±0.8 mm per 25 mm | Reflects achievable accuracy in sand casting; tighter tolerances increase cost. |
Text and Logos | Minimum text/logo height: ≥ 5 mm | Ensures clear and legible marking due to the rougher surface finish inherent to sand casting. |
Ribs and Gussets | Thickness approximately 70 - 100% of adjacent walls | Provides structural reinforcement, reduces shrinkage porosity, and maintains dimensional stability. |
Parting Line | Simplify and position at largest cross-section | Reduces mold complexity, flash formation, and casting defects, thus lowering production costs. |
Machining Allowance | Typical allowance: 2 - 6 mm | Allows adequate material removal to achieve final dimensions and surface quality. |