Buyer note: confirm assumptions before quoting
Lead time, MOQ, yield, leak-test scope, machining scope, and landed cost depend on the drawing, alloy, inspection plan, annual volume, and destination market. For current supplier facts, review the supplier capability sheet or send an RFQ package.
# 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)
RFQ CTA
Have a casting project? Upload your drawing for a fast, structured quote review.
Send the drawing, target alloy, finishing scope, MOQ, and delivery timing. Bohua will review it like a real sourcing project, not a generic contact request.
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)
Project CTA
Ready to Source This Part?
Send your drawing for a structured DFM review, quote scope, and project-specific timing discussion.