Hello! How do you know if a product was made using CNC machining or die casting? For example, a phone back cover. The Google Pixel 2 has an aluminum chassis. How can I tell if that was made using CNC or die casting? Any input would be appreciated!
Most all small metal electronics cases, particularly phones these days, are machined. The tolerances are such that it doesn't pay to cast such a small part which will then need to be machined anyway. So they just start with a punched blank and CNC the rest, and changes are easy if they need clearance for a different component.
High pressure die casting can achieve some pretty good tolerances. Back in the mid 60's when I was working as a toolmaker we made some dies that produced precision parts for a customer that did not require machining.
many said it couldn't be done. but we did it. What they meant was, that they'd never seen it done, afraid to stretch the envelope. Fear is always the biggest hurdle for achievement. I admit however, that nowadays, with high speed CNC it's probably just cheaper.