The North American Die Casting Association is now accepting entrants for its annual Die Casting Competition. Designed to recognize and reward outstanding casting designs, the contest is now open until July 1, 2011.

Each entry is judged by an independent panel of experts from the industry based on design, quality, cost savings, ingenuity, innovation, and industry-changing potential. The competition is open to aluminum, magnesium, and zinc die castings, and any number of castings may be entered.

All submitted castings into the competition must have approval in writing from the customer stating their permission to enter the part in the competition, and as-cast part samples are required with each entry form.

In addition to an overall Casting of the Year design, winners will be selected in the following categories:

• Aluminum under 1 lb.
• Aluminum 1 to 10 lbs.
• Aluminum over 10 lbs.
• Aluminum squeezed/semi-solid
• Magnesium under 0.5 lbs.
• Magnesium over 0.5 lbs.
• Zinc under 6 oz./non-electroplated
• Zinc over 6 oz./non-electroplated
• Zinc any size with decorative finish

The winners will be displayed at the NADCA 2011 Die Casting Congress and Tabletop event in Columbus, OH, September 19-21, 2011, and honored during the Die Casting Design Luncheon. They will also be featured in the NADCA's publications and on its website.

For more information on the contest, or to download and print the entry form, visit www.diecastingdesign.org/castings/competition.