Permanent Mold Aluminum Casting RFQ Checklist: Process Definition, Tooling Scope, Heat Treatment, Machining, and Inspection Evidence

"Permanent mold casting" is often used interchangeably with "gravity casting" in buyer conversations — but suppliers can still quote *different* assumptions (tooling scope, cores, heat treatment, machining stock, inspection evidence). If those assumptions are not explicit, you risk re-quoting after supplier selection.

This checklist helps overseas OEM procurement + SQE teams write a permanent mold aluminum casting RFQ that is quoteable and comparable across suppliers.

Useful Bohua routes:

• •Casting process selection
• •Supplier capability sheet
• •Leak-tight aluminum casting
• •RFQ decision matrix
• •Structured RFQ upload

1) Define the process name you mean (so the right team quotes)

In the RFQ, state:

• •"Permanent mold / gravity casting (metal mold)" (and whether tilt-pour is allowed)
• •alloy target (example: A356 / A356.0), and whether heat treatment is required (T6 / T5 / as-cast)
• •critical risks (pressure-tight, cosmetic surfaces, sealing faces, fatigue-critical features)

If you are unsure whether your geometry fits permanent mold, ask suppliers to propose the best-fit process and list that proposal as a quote assumption.

2) Tooling scope: make cores and inserts explicit

Permanent mold programs fail when the buyer assumes "simple tooling," while the supplier assumes:

• •multiple sand cores / complex core package
• •steel inserts / chills required for solidification control
• •sliders or moving elements (not always available in every permanent mold setup)

In the RFQ, request the supplier to disclose:

• •number of cores and core types (if any)
• •parting line and draft assumptions
• •whether a prototype tool differs from production-intent tool
• •tooling ownership expectations and expected tool life assumptions (as assumptions, not guarantees)

3) Heat treatment + distortion planning (especially for datums and sealing faces)

If you need A356-T6 (common for structural housings), state:

• •whether machining should be done before or after heat treat for critical features
• •which faces/bores are distortion-sensitive (bearing seats, seal bores, gasket faces)
• •whether straightening is permitted and how it must be disclosed

If you do not know, ask the supplier to propose a sequence and to list it in the quote.

4) Machining scope: align what is "finished" vs "as-cast"

Permanent mold castings commonly become "casting + CNC" projects. In the RFQ, clarify:

• •which datums are machined
• •which bores/faces are fully machined vs cleaned-up
• •surface finish requirements on functional faces (Ra targets if you have them)
• •coating / impregnation assumptions (if pressure-tight is required)

5) Inspection evidence: ask for records, not "quality" words

For supplier comparison, request concrete evidence outputs:

• •material certificate / heat treatment record when applicable
• •CMM report referencing the drawing datums (for critical features)
• •leak-test scope and records (if pressure-tight), including medium + pressure + hold time (buyer-defined or supplier-proposed)
• •any special checks (X-ray/CT, sectioning, hardness, microstructure) only if required by your approval plan

Copy-paste RFQ starter (permanent mold casting)

Permanent mold aluminum casting RFQ (copy-paste)

Part: __ ; target application: __

Files: 2D PDF rev __ ; STEP __

Process: permanent mold / gravity casting (metal mold) ; tilt-pour allowed yes/no __

Alloy + heat treat: __ (A356 / A356-T6 / other)

Pressure-tight requirement: yes/no __ (if yes: leak-test medium/pressure/hold time or supplier proposal required)

Tooling scope: cores __ ; inserts/chills __ ; parting line/draft proposal required yes/no __

Machining scope: datums __ ; sealing faces/bores __ ; surface finish __

Inspection records requested: material cert __ ; heat treat record __ ; CMM __ ; leak-test record __ ; traceability fields __

Quantity + schedule: prototype __ ; annual volume __ ; timing __ ; destination + Incoterm __

Submit a structured RFQ (drawing-ready)

• •Open RFQ decision matrix
• •Upload via Request Quote