Kinaguiden is a precision aluminium die casting company based in Stockholm, Sweden, specialising in custom mould design, HPDC, re-engineering, and global logistics.
Re-engineering — also called reverse engineering — is the process of recreating a part when the original technical drawings no longer exist. It is more common than most buyers realise, and it can be a straightforward, cost-effective solution for companies that find themselves with a component they need to reproduce but no design documentation to work from.
When Do You Need Re-engineering?
There are several situations where re-engineering is the right approach:
- The original supplier has closed — or is no longer able to produce the part, and no tooling or drawings were transferred.
- Legacy or obsolete components — older machines or products often use parts that were designed before digital CAD files were standard. The original drawings may be on paper or simply lost.
- Inherited tooling without documentation — you've purchased a business or product line and the die casting mould exists but drawings do not.
- Competitive reverse engineering — you want to produce a part similar to a competitor's component and need to understand its geometry and design approach.
- Design improvement — you have an existing part but want to modify it to reduce weight, improve function, or reduce cost, starting from a physical sample rather than a drawing.
How the Re-engineering Process Works
A professional re-engineering process for aluminium die casting typically follows these steps:
1. Receive the Physical Sample
You send us the original part — ideally a new or minimally worn example. Multiple samples are better than one, as they allow us to account for dimensional variation. If no sample is available, detailed photographs with a reference scale can sometimes be enough for simple geometries.
2. 3D Scanning and Measurement
We measure the part using coordinate measuring machines (CMM) or 3D scanning equipment to capture its exact geometry. For aluminium die castings, we need to account for the casting's shrinkage factor — the original mould was slightly larger than the finished part, so the mould dimensions are calculated accordingly.
3. 2D and 3D Drawing Creation
From the measured data, we create accurate 2D technical drawings and a 3D CAD model (STEP format). These become your permanent documentation — you own the drawings after the project is complete.
4. Design Review for Die Casting
We review the geometry for die casting manufacturability — checking draft angles, wall thickness, parting line, and undercuts. If the original part was not designed with die casting best practices in mind, we may suggest minor modifications to improve quality and reduce cost.
5. Mould Design and Production
A new die casting mould is designed and machined. T1 trial samples are produced and submitted for dimensional inspection and your written approval.
6. Serial Production
Once the samples are approved, we begin serial production to your required quantities.
What to Send Us
- At least 2–3 physical samples of the part (ideally unused)
- Any existing drawings, even partial or handwritten ones
- Required quantity and target unit price if known
- Any dimensional tolerances that are critical for function
- Surface finish requirements
No drawings? No problem. Kinaguiden handles re-engineering projects from physical samples alone. We create all the documentation, design the mould, and deliver finished aluminium die cast parts — with you owning the drawings at the end of the project.
How Long Does Re-engineering Take?
For a typical aluminium die casting component, the complete re-engineering process — from receiving your sample to delivering T1 trial parts — takes approximately 6–10 weeks, depending on part complexity. Serial production begins after your written approval of the samples.