Coldchamber

Coldchamber refers to a type of die casting process and the corresponding machine setup in which molten metal is melted in a separate furnace and then transferred to a cold shot chamber for injection into a mold. This is in contrast to hot-chamber die casting, where the injection plunger operates directly within the molten metal.

During operation, metal is melted in a furnace, ladled into a dedicated shot chamber, and then hydraulically injected into the mold cavity through a separate nozzle or shot sleeve. The mold closes, the metal solidifies, and the part is ejected before the next cycle begins. Because the injection system is not in contact with the molten metal, components such as the shot chamber and nozzle are better protected from material contamination and erosion, contributing to longer tool life for high-melting alloys.

Cold-chamber die casting is commonly used for high-melting-point alloys, especially aluminum and magnesium, and is also suitable for certain copper-based alloys. It is generally favored when the alloy’s properties or contamination concerns make hot-chamber systems impractical. However, the need to transfer molten metal from the furnace to the cold chamber can result in longer cycle times and higher equipment costs compared with hot-chamber machines, particularly for high-volume production.

Applications include automotive components, housings, housings, and other precision aluminum parts where good surface finish and dimensional stability are required. The process is one component of the broader family of die casting technologies, alongside hot-chamber methods. See also: die casting, hot-chamber die casting.