Die Casting Lead Times -A Complete Planning Guide

Die casting lead time is not a single number. It is a chain of sequential phases, each with its own timeline. Misunderstanding which phase is being quoted leads to schedule surprises -and schedule surprises in die casting cost 10-16 weeks.

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Phase-by-Phase Timeline

Phase 1: RFQ and Quotation (2- days)

Submit drawing →KastMfg returns quotation, DFM report, tooling schedule within 48 business hours for standard programs.

Phase 2: PO, Deposit, Tooling Start (3- days)

Purchase order issued + tooling deposit received →tooling design released. Wire transfers: 2- business days internationally. Tooling does not start until deposit clears.

Phase 3: Tooling Fabrication

Tool Type	Steel	Lead Time from Design Approval
Prototype single cavity, simple	P20	2- weeks
Production single cavity, simple	H13	4- weeks
Production with 1- slides	H13	5- weeks
Production complex / multi-slide	H13	7- weeks
4-cavity production	H13	7-10 weeks

Phase 4: Trial and First Article (1 week)

Trial run (1 day) →first-article CMM inspection (2- days) →report preparation (1- days) →4- days total. If tooling modification is needed after trial: add 3-10 days.

Phase 5: Customer First Article Approval (Variable)

Non-automotive: 3- days customer review. Automotive PPAP: 2- weeks depending on customer cycle. This phase is customer-controlled.

Phase 6: Production + Shipment

Volume	Production Lead Time
Under 5,000 pieces	3- weeks
5,000-10,000 pieces	4- weeks
With CNC machining + finishing	Add 1- weeks

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Total New Program Timeline (PO to First Production at Customer)

Scenario	Total
P20 prototype, simple, air freight	5- weeks
H13 production, simple, air freight	10-12 weeks
H13 production, complex, ocean freight	18-22 weeks
H13 production + PPAP + ocean freight	22-28 weeks

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How to Accelerate

Prototype tooling first: P20 in 3- weeks vs H13 in 6- weeks. Use for design validation before committing to production tooling.

Air freight samples: Saves 18-25 days vs ocean at $150-400 cost -always worthwhile for development samples.

Expedited tooling: KastMfg offers expedited H13 single-cavity in 4 weeks (premium rate, capacity-dependent).

Parallel activities: Begin production order paperwork while customer reviews first article. Don't wait serially.

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Ocean Freight Planning

Ocean transit from Nanjing to USA West Coast: 20-25 days. To Europe: 28-34 days. Total replenishment cycle time (production + ocean + customs): 10-12 weeks.

Standard safety stock recommendation: 8-10 weeks of consumption on all China-sourced die casting programs. Plan inventory levels before placing the first production order.

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Timeline consultation: free with every RFQ: yaoqingpu1983@gmail.com | +86 138 1403 4409