Diecast Lapel Pins Versus Die Stamped Pins

Thursday, May 6th, 2010 | shopping

Newcomers to lapel pins are usually not familiar with the terms diecast and die stamping. This often leads to some confusion about which pins are the best value or which will be more desirable for the purpose needed. Die stamping is a process that includes metal being stamped. Metals used include brass, copper, and iron. In this process impressions or recessions are made in the metal. These impressions actually create a custom lapel pin design and the designs can be filled with enamel in order to make the pins more colorful. Diecasting is a little different. It is also known simply as casting. This process can be used to create custom lapel pins in white metal, pewter and zinc alloy. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as white metal casting, pewter casting and zinc alloy casting. The base metal used in this process is of course, pewter and zinc. Pewter is more expensive than zinc because it flows more easily, which means it can be used to create pins that require more intricate and tiny details. Additionally, pewter can be polished to a shinier finish than zinc.

Having a quality lapel pin created using the diecasting process is not difficult if you work with a top notch company like PinPros.com. They will begin by engraving a pattern of your design out of delrin. This is a plastic sheet. The pattern will then be placed between two rubber or silicon discs and heat and high pressure will be used to create a mold. The mold will then be used in a centrifuge casting machine and either liquid pewter or zinc will be poured in. As the centrifuge spins the mold for 2 – 3 minutes the liquid metal is forced to spread into all the tiny crevices and details of the custom lapel design.

Afterward, the mold is removed from the machine and the two halves of the mold are pulled apart. This reveals the raw lapel pin. The next step is deburring of the pin. This removes any excess metal that may be present on the pin. After the pins are deburred they go through various finishing processes according to the desires of the customer.

For a shiny, polished finish the pins are place in a tub full of metal shot. This tub is then vibrated, which causes the pins to tumble and rub against the metal shot, resulting in a shiny finish. If the goal is a satin finish the lapel pins are rubbed against a spinning satin wheel. The result is a matte-like finish. Some people prefer other color finishes, in which case the custom lapel pins are coated with a brass, copper, or bronze finish to provide the desired look.

Another option is antiquing. These lapel pins are dipped in a liquid chemical that causes the recessed areas of the design to blacken. Paint wipe is different than antiquing, but somewhat similar. In this finish the lapel pin is spray painted and then the paint is wiped off. This leaves paint in the recessed areas. This process on works on pins with one color and it produces a flat finish. Color fill is a technique that uses enamel to fill the various areas of the design. Although any number of colors can be used, four or less are typical. This creates a glossy finish and is considered to be soft enamel.

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