How much does die cast tooling cost?

The cost of die cast tooling can vary significantly depending on several factors. Here’s a general overview:

1. Size and complexity: Larger and more complex parts require more expensive tooling. Simple tools might start around $10,000-$20,000, while complex or large tools can cost $100,000 or more.

2. Material: The type of metal being cast affects tool design and material. Tools for aluminum often cost less than those for zinc or magnesium.

3. Expected production volume: Higher volume production requires more durable (and expensive) tooling.

4. Tolerances: Tighter tolerances require more precise (and costly) tooling.

5. Number of cavities: Multi-cavity tools cost more but can increase production efficiency.

6. Tooling material: H13 tool steel is common, but more wear-resistant steels may be used for longer production runs.

7. Design features: Slides, lifters, or other moving components increase tooling cost.

8. Surface finish requirements: Higher quality finishes require more expensive tooling.

As a rough estimate, die cast tooling costs can range from:
– $10,000 to $50,000 for small, simple parts
– $50,000 to $100,000 for medium-sized or moderately complex parts
– $100,000 to $500,000 or more for large or highly complex parts

It’s important to note that while tooling costs can be high, they’re typically amortized over the production run. For high-volume production, the per-part tooling cost can become quite low.