Primary process: Permanent-mold Casting. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for a cast bushing, with an indicative cost.
Permanent-mold CastingPrimary process
CastingFamily
8Route steps
+/-0.4mmTypical tol.
A cast bushing is primarily made by Permanent-mold Casting. Permanent (gravity) mould casting pours metal into a reusable metal mould under gravity. The metal mould chills faster than sand, giving a denser, stronger casting. Below is the full route to make a cast bushing, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.
Step by step
How a cast bushing is made
The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the cast bushing gets its basic shape.
Alloy and tooling
Choose the casting alloy for the cast bushing and make the pattern or metal die that forms the cavity.
Permanent-mold Casting
Melt the metal and pour it into the mould, then let the cast bushing solidify and cool.
Tooling Medium Tolerance ±0.25 to 0.8mm Lead 3 to 6 weeks
Fettling and cleaning
Cut off the gates and risers, grind away the flash, and clean the raw casting.
Machining
Machine the mating faces, bores and datum surfaces to final tolerance: the as-cast surface is too rough for close fits.
Tooling None Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm Lead 1 to 10 days
Hole making
Drill, ream and tap the fixing and functional holes.
Tooling None Tolerance ±0.05 to 0.2mm Lead hours to days
Heat treatment
Stress-relieve or harden the cast bushing to reach the strength and hardness the design needs.
Tooling n/a Tolerance can distort Lead days
Surface finish
Plate, anodise or powder coat for corrosion resistance and appearance.
Tooling Low Tolerance adds 0.05 to 0.2mm Lead days
Inspection
Check critical dimensions and, for any part that holds pressure, leak-test before it ships.
Need the real cost for a cast bushing? The free route above is yours. Unlock the full dossier to quote and source it.
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials
Materials for a cast bushing
Grade
Why it suits this
Aluminium A356/A319
Good castability + strength
Brass/bronze
Bearing, corrosion
Design
Design tips
General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for a cast bushing is in the dossier.
Sharp internal corners.Radius them.
Trapped cores.Design for mold opening.
Cost
What a cast bushing should cost
Better finish/properties than sand, cheaper tooling than die; the mid-volume sweet spot for alu.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for a cast bushing at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$90 to 250per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on a cast bushing and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
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A cast bushing is primarily made by permanent-mold casting. The route is: Alloy and tooling; Permanent-mold Casting; Fettling and cleaning; Machining; Hole making; Heat treatment; Surface finish; Inspection.
What does a cast bushing cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $90 to 250 per part at 1 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is a cast bushing made from?
Common choices are Aluminium A356/A319; Brass/bronze.
What is the main process for a cast bushing?
Permanent-mold Casting. Medium-volume aluminium parts needing better properties and finish than sand casting, like wheels and manifolds.
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.