Date Mark Inserts for Die Casting
Date code pins for permanent traceability marking on die castings. Standard, press-fit, and small diameter variants meeting IATF 16949 and FDA production date requirements.
Decision rule: IATF 16949 (clause 8.5.2) requires production date traceability on safety-critical automotive castings. Cast-in date marks via mold inserts are the most robust method. For detailed guidance, see our What Are the Date Code Requirements for Die Castings? — IATF 16949 and FDA.
Products in This Category
Date Marked Pins — Standard
Standard diameter with flange stopper retention. Year/month/day wheels.
Date Marked Pins — Press-Fit, Flange Stopper
Press-fit installation for quick replacement. Flange provides retention.
Date Marked Pins — Small Diameter
≤Ø8 mm for compact casting features. Requires separate holder.
Holders for Date Marked Pin — Small Diameter
Structural support holder for small diameter date pins. Press-fit or bolt-fix.
Variant Selection Guide
| Factor | Standard | Press-Fit | Small Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter Range | Ø10–Ø20 mm | Ø10–Ø20 mm | ≤Ø8 mm |
| Retention Method | Flange + bolt | Press-fit + flange | Holder (sold separately) |
| Replacement Speed | 5–10 min | 2–5 min | 5–10 min (holder stays) |
| Vibration Resistance | High | Medium | High (via holder) |
| Best For | IATF-critical parts | High-volume quick change | Small castings, tight spaces |
Decision rule: Standard diameter for most cavities. Press-fit for vibration-prone applications. Small diameter + holder for compact cavities where standard pins won't fit. For detailed guidance, see our Standard vs Press-Fit vs Small Diameter Date Marked Pins.
Pairing: Small Diameter Pins + Holders
Decision rule: Small-diameter date marked pins always require a separate holder — the holder provides the structural support that the thin pin body cannot provide alone. For detailed guidance, see our What Are the Date Code Requirements for Die Castings? — IATF 16949 and FDA.
Application: Industry Traceability Requirements
Automotive (IATF 16949)
Lot traceability including production date, cavity number, and shift code. Required for all safety-critical and structural castings.
IATF 16949 requires production date traceability on safety-critical castings. The date mark creates a permanent, legible imprint that links each part to its production date, shift, and machine for warranty and recall tracking.
Recommended: Press-Fit Date Mark Pin — flush seal prevents flash over mark
Medical (FDA 21 CFR 820)
Date of manufacture must be permanently marked on device components. Die cast housings for medical equipment require tamper-proof date codes.
FDA 21 CFR Part 820 mandates lot traceability for medical device housings. Date-coded mold inserts create permanent part marking without secondary operations, ensuring 100% traceability.
Recommended: Small Diameter + Holder for compact medical device cavities
General OEM Traceability
Warranty claim resolution requires identifying production date, mold number, and cavity. Date marks enable root cause analysis for field failures.
Even where not legally mandated, date marks enable root cause analysis when field failures occur — linking defective parts to specific production conditions, which typically reduces investigation time from weeks to hours.
Recommended: Standard Date Mark Pin for non-regulated applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard vs press-fit date marked pins — which mounting method is better for die casting?+
Do I need a holder for the small-diameter date marked pin?+
What industry regulations require date marks on die cast parts? (IATF 16949, FDA)+
Engineering Resources
What Are the Date Code Requirements for Die Castings? — IATF 16949 and FDA
Which regulations require date marks and what information must be encoded.
Standard vs Press-Fit vs Small Diameter Date Marked Pins
Standard vs press-fit vs small diameter — selection criteria for each variant.
Need Date Mark Inserts?
Specify your cavity pocket diameter, marking format (year/month/day or year/week), and mounting method (standard press-in, press-fit, or small-diameter with holder). Custom date wheel configurations available for multi-cavity molds.