Welcome
to
KENWALT
DIE CASTING COMPANY
Since 1968
Aluminum Die Casting
Zinc Die Casting
1-800-KENWALT
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are you Located?
KenWalt Die Casting Company
8719 Bradley Ave.
Sun Valley, California,
91352 US
Only 5 minutes north of Bob Hope Airport in
Burbank, California.
Google Maps
From Northern California: Go South on Interstate-5. Take the Penrose St exit. Turn right. Drive
about 500 feet. Turn left at Bradley Ave. Our die cast foundry and offices
are on the left hand corner.
From Southern California: Go North on I-5 freeway.
Take the Penrose St exit. Turn right. Drive about 500 feet. Turn left at
Bradley Ave. Our die cast foundry and offices are on the left hand corner.
From Outside California: Fly to Bob Hope Airport in
Burbank, CA. Go North on I-5 freeway for about 5 minutes. Take the Penrose St exit. Turn right.
Drive about 500 feet. Turn left at Bradley Ave. Our offices and die cast foundry are on the left hand corner.
From International Country: Fly to Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX). Exit airport terminal. Go south on South
Sepulveda Blvd/ 1 Pacific Coast Highway (thru tunnel). Take 105 Century
Freeway East. Go past 405 San Diego Freeway. Go North on 110 Harbor Freeway.
Drive thru downtown Los Angeles. Drive past Dodger Stadium. Drive thru
tunnels. At last tunnel, Go North on I-5 Freeway. Go past Burbank Bob Hope
Airport.
Take the Penrose St exit. Turn right. Drive about 500 feet. Turn left
at Bradley Ave. Our die cast foundry and offices are on the left hand
corner.
Q: What are your Operating Hours?
We are open from Monday
to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Our Die Cast Foundry
is open from 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. including Saturdays and Sundays as
needed.
Q: What are your minimum order
quantities?
KenWalt specializes in both low volume and high
volume die casting.
Q: Do you make Prototype parts?
We do not make prototype parts in-house, however we
can help you get your prototype parts produced.
Q: What are your Lead Times for Die Cast
Tooling and Castings?
Lead times for Die Cast Tooling is typically 6-8 weeks. This varies
depending on the size and complexity of the die cast part. Tooling can
be expedited if needed. Lead times for castings depends on production schedules and
inventory. We can inventory and ship parts as needed. Contact our sales
team for current lead-time information for your die cast project.
Call (818) 768-5800 and ask for our Sales Team or
Email Here.
Q: How large of a die casting can KenWalt
produce:
KenWalt specializes in both small and large precision parts. Our 1200 Ton Die Cast Machines can produce very large castings such as large
display frames for slot machines.
Call 818-768-5800 or
Email Here
Q: How do I check on my order status?
Call 818-768-5800 or
Email Here
Q: What are your Terms and Conditions?
Click
here
to view our Terms and Conditions.
Q: Can I get a copy of your Quality
Certification?
Yes. You can find a link to our latest Quality Certification on this website
or one of our other websites.
Q: Do you provide First Article Inspection
Reports (FAIR's)?
Yes.
KenWalt Die Casting Company provides FAIR's in AS9102 format.
Please call 818-768-5800 and coordinate in advance. Additional
charges may apply.
Q: How can I get a Quote?
Call 818-768-5800.
Click Here to Email drawings, 2D, 3D
files, and any other pertinent information. In addition, sample parts are very helpful for an accurate quote and
may be mailed to: 8719 Bradley Ave Sun Valley, CA 91352. Sample parts will
be returned to you upon request.
Q:
When is the best time to contact KenWalt for a quote?
Contact our engineers as early as possible during product design. Our
expertise in design for die cast manufacturing can help determine the best
material and design for your part to be successful during mass production.
Q: If I send you a 3D CAD or STEP file, who
do you need 2D drawings?
3D files are helpful for visualization and building dies with CNC machines.
However, most do not include dimensions, tolerances or additional notes. 2D
drawings have all the necessary information we need to produce your parts to
your drawing specifications.
Q: What do you need to give me a quick
turnaround time on my Request For Quote?
To expedite your quote, please include:
Company name, address and contact info.
2D and 3D files if available.
Part number(s)
Part application/function
Quality requirements
Alloy/Material needed
Annual quantity/Release quantity
Approximate life of program, if applicable
Ship to location
Q: Do you provide finishes such as Tumble Deburring, Anodizing, Painting,
Powdercoating, Plating, Machining, Drilling and Tapping, Helicoil Insertion,
Assembly, Packaging and Other Services?
Yes. We handle most finishing operations. Some are performed in-house
while others may be performed by approved third-party suppliers. We can
provide a full turnkey service depending on the nature of your project
requirements so you receive parts as expected and when you need them.
Q: Do you offer Engineering Design Assistance?
Absolutely!
We'll work closely with you or your
design engineers to optimize your product design for the die casting process
so you will obtain long-lasting die cast tooling and high quality die cast
parts. Call 818-768-5800.
Q:
Do you have a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
Yes. In order to protect the interests of both parties during a development
project and because of confidentiality requirements as an ITAR registered
die casting company, KenWalt Die Casting Company requires a signed NDA.
Click
here
to download.
Q: Can you sign our NDA before we provide sensitive project
information?
Yes. Send us you NDA. We'll promptly return it to you so you can send us
your information and we can begin expediting your Request For Quote.
Q: Can you help me design and engineer my product?
Yes.
Our professional die
casting design engineers are the best in the industry. For more information,
please call 818-768-5800.
Q:
Can you use my existing tooling to produce parts?
Yes, most likely. However, tooling in bad
condition must be repaired before it can be used. In most cases, existing
tooling made using standard die cast tooling specifications can be setup and
parts produced. Sometimes, non-standard tooling will need to be adapted to
standard die cast tooling specifications and will require a one-time
adaptation cost. From our extensive experience, other die casting companies
do not know proper gating design, the design of how metal must ideally flow
in/out of a part. So the gating may need to be re-designed so it's able to
produce the highest quality products possible.
Since our founding in 1968, KenWalt Die Casting Company has used
only die cast industry standard tooling using high quality die cast tooling
steel, so you will never need to pay for adaptation costs and you always
have the option to take you tooling elsewhere if you're unsatisfied.
Our Commitment to Excellence and customer satisfaction, professionalism,
knowledge, experience and confidence enables us to produce the highest
quality die cast products possible for you and your company.
For more information, call 818-768-5800.
Q:
Can KenWalt use dies transferred from other die casters?
Yes. KenWalt uses standard DME (Detroit Mold and Engineering) sized dies and
holders that are standard in the die casting industry. Most dies are
standard DME sizes so we can immediately use those dies from other casting
companies. However, some die casters have been known to use non-standard
sized dies that may have to be adapted. Before producing parts, we will
evaluate the quality of the tool to ensure the highest quality parts are
consistently produced.
Q:
Does KenWalt quarantee die life?
Yes. KenWalt guarantees the life of your dies, depending on the doe material
used. We normally quote using the highest quality die steels available that
can last approximately 150,000 shots or cycles. For detailed information,
contact our engineering team.
Click Here to Email
Q:
Does KenWalt produce Zinc die cast parts?
Yes. We specialize in producing Zinc die cast parts using
zinc die casting alloys and aluminum die
castings using
aluminum die casting alloys.
Q: What metals or materials does KenWalt use?
KenWalt uses a wide variety of high quality Aluminum and Zinc Die Casting
alloys mined in the USA.
Q:
What is the typical minimum wall thickness of your Aluminum and Zinc die
castings?
The minimum or maximum cross-sectional wall
thickness on any part is dependent on the overall part size and design. As
an example, a 0.010” wall thickness may be possible if it’s localized but is
not possible if it is across the entire length of the 4” long part.
Generally, the optimum wall thickness is 0.040” to 0.120” and again, is
related to the overall size of the part. Minimizing wall thickness also
reduces the material content of a part and its cost.
Q: Do you
recycle excess metal that doesn't get used and are you a Green Manufacturer?
Yes. KenWalt recycles 100% of our excess scrap
metal. We also recycle all of our hydraulic fluids.
KenWalt Die Casting is the 1ST known
Die Casting Company in the USA to GO SOLAR. We are a Solar Powered Die
Casting Foundry with a 35.9 kW Solar System.
Q:
Is the metal in Rapid Prototypes the same metal used during
mass production die casting?
No. It may be similar. But other processes use
other types of metal that have different properties. Die casting alloys have
their own unique metallurgical properties. Those metallurgical properties
are optimized during the solidification phase during the high pressure die
casting process. Our design engineer can help you find the precise die
casting alloy to obtain the properties you need.
Q:
Do 100% porosity-free die cast parts exist?
No. Porosity or
air/gas entrapment is inherent in the die casting process and is in all die
cast parts. However, KenWalt uses unique vacuum systems and vent blocks that
remove as much air and gas as possible during the casting process.
Additionally, we specialize in optimizing tooling and gating designs to
minimize and virtually eliminate porosity.
Q:
What are the most commonly used types of plating and
coatings?
Click on the link to view different surface
finishes.
Q:
What is the difference between shrinkage/solidification
porosity and air/gas porosity?
When a die casting alloy changes from
liquid/molten state to solid state, it shrinks in size which can cause
shrinkage/solidification porosity, particularly in large sections of a part.
Air/gas porosity is caused by improper ladling, worn out pistons, poor shot
end control, insufficient overflows, poor venting, bad gating designs and
not using KenWalt vacuum die casting systems to remove air/gas during the
die casting process.
Q:
Can a die casting contain an audio signal, receiver,
transmitter that doesn't block signals?
Yes. Aluminum and Zinc are used in EMI-RMF
shielding applications.
Q:
Do die castings need to be cleaned prior to plating, painting
or other coatings?
Yes. The surface of die cast parts normally
have a thin layer of die spray from the die casting process or may have
machining oils from the machining process. To ensure the adhesion of a
coating or plating, a cleaned surface is required. However, plating and
coating processes normal pre-cleaning processes do that job.
Q:
What types of surface coatings are available?
A wide variety of surface finishes are
available for aluminum and zinc die castings. For aluminum castings:
painting, powder coating, e-coating, anodizing and chemical film. For zinc
castings: painting and chrome plating. Zinc die castings are normally used
when high quality chrome plated parts are needed.
Q:
What is Anodizing?
Aluminum die castings, not zinc, are anodized.
Anodizing is a coating used for corrosion resistance, a base for painting,
and cosmetic purposes. Anodizing is available in many colors.
Q:
What Die Cast Alloy has the highest Thermal Conductivity?
Aluminum Alloy
B390 has the highest thermal conductivity, high hardness
and good wear resistance.
Q:
Can a die cast part be welded?
No, not
normally. A die cast part can't be welded due to inherent internal air or
gas porosity that can expand and explode when a part is heated. However, a
zinc part that has been plated with Tin can be soldered. Furthermore, using
Vacuum-Assist Die Casting and engineering expertise, KenWalt die casted an
aluminum part for tesla Motors that was successfully welded.
Q: What other resources do you offer?
We provide value-added engineering design assistance from die designs to finished
assembled parts.
We provide solutions! We focus on you and your company to save you time and money
and delivery finished high quality Aluminum and Zinc die castings on-time to
our customers.
We welcome the opportunity to show you what
we can do for you.
Your success
is our success!
Q:
Where can I find more information about your company?
Call us to find out what we can do for you: 818-768-5800
or
Click
here
for more about us.