UAV · EN 9100 · Made in Italy
Aluminium parts for UAV: from solid to die casting
You machine it from solid. So do we. But from about 150 parts a year we can die cast it for you: the same part, at a cost that stops following the quantity, and a lead time for 1,000 parts close to that for 100.
Send us the drawingThe problem nobody tells you about
Prototyping methods do not scale. Production methods do.
3D printing and machining from solid are the right way to make the first ten parts: no tooling, no waiting, change the file and print again. The trouble starts the day an order for a thousand arrives, because with those methods part one thousand costs the same as part one. The threshold is around 150 parts a year: below it, keep machining, we do it for you; above it, the mould pays for itself and every further part is margin.
Two routes, one supplier
From solid or die cast: we quote both
| From solid, up to ~100 pcs/year | No tooling cost, no tooling lead time; design changes cost nothing. Unit cost stays flat and machine time grows with quantity. In house: DMG MORI ecoMill 50 and MILLTAP 700, Haas VF-2SSYT and UMC-500SS. |
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| Die cast, from ~150 pcs/year | The mould is paid once, and with our system it costs up to 70% less. Unit cost falls with volume; lead time for 1,000 parts is close to that for 100. Only functional surfaces are machined. At qualified partners: 12 presses, 150-1200 t. |
| Treatments and painting | Surface treatments at Nadcap-accredited partners. Liquid and powder painting in house, with masking, qualified by Leonardo Elettronica. |
| Inspection | EN 9100 at every step: full traceability, Hexagon CMM, in-house X-ray, salt spray. FAI to EN 9102 when your programme calls for it. |
| Supply chain | Raw material and special processes from Italy and the European Union: it matters when your customers ask where the metal comes from. |
Documents and credentials
What a buyer gets with the parts
| First Article | FAI report to EN/AS 9102 when your programme calls for it. |
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| Material and conformity | Material certificates EN 10204 3.1 and Certificate of Conformance, full traceability of each batch. |
| Certifications | EN 9100:2018 no. 50 100 15583 and ISO 9001 no. 50 100 15584, valid to 20 February 2029; ISO 14001 no. 50 100 18767 and ISO 45001 no. 50 100 18766, valid to 8 March 2029. Issued by TÜV Italia. |
| Supplier data | NCAGE AY293. Two plants in Lodrino (Brescia), Italy, twelve minutes apart. |
FAQ
Questions we are asked most often
How many parts before die casting pays off?
About 150 a year. Send us the drawing: we quote both routes, mould cost included, and you see where your break-even is.
What do you need for a quote?
The 3D model (STEP) and the drawing, if any; the expected yearly quantity, an order of magnitude is enough; material, treatments or specifications; whether the part is flight-critical and which standard applies.
What is the minimum batch?
From one part. We deliver batches from 1 to 1,000 parts.
What is the typical lead time?
Six weeks with an annual schedule agreed in advance.