Casting Study: Handle and Lock Assembly

In both residential and commercial construction projects, architects are frequently asked to design large windows and sliding glass doors. Sliding doors must be easy and comfortable to operate from either inside or outside and it must be possible to lock them. Zinc alloy has been used to produce this handle and lock assembly for sliding doors because it can meet the manufacturer’s exacting requirement for a strong and durable material that: – can express a design, – is pleasant to look at, – attractive to touch, – is able to carry different colours, – provides a « cold touch » guarantee, – is easy to use. Moreover, zinc alloy could meet the stringent specifications demanded: the latching and rotating cylinder locking mechanism had to provide accuracy of 0.03 to 0.08 mm, the assembly had to be reliable and durable to withstand at least 170,000 operating cycles, the material used had to accept paint and other finishes. Zinc alloy was selected because it can meet all these demands.