Casting Study: Compact

The wide choice of decorative finishes for zinc alloys – which may be colour contrasted with other materials – is a major asset when designing luxury goods. The designer Christian Dior made good use of this capability in creating this remarkable compact. The contrasting blue and gold provide the aesthetic richness demanded for this type of article. The perfect finish for the case has been achieved with a 0.3– 0.5 micron layer of electroplated 18 carat gold. The coloured strips fit into the housing with no play, and are then adhesively bonded. By attention to die design, it has been possible to produce castings with the hinge holes incorporated, direct from the die. Great care has been taken over finishing, but this is not incompatible with precision, as perfect flatness is required to ensure that the joint between box and cover is regular and close. Furthermore, dimensions must be closely controlled to enable the mirror and powder reserve to be neatly fitted and the closure to work effectively.