High-pressure die casting apparatus and method

A die apparatus for die casting, comprising:

• a first die half having a first molding surface;
• a second die half having a second molding surface facing said first molding surface to present a mold cavity therebetween;
• a shot sleeve extending through said first die half toward said first molding surface, said shot sleeve including a side wall presenting a fluid opening for conveying fluid;
• said side wall extending to a partial end wall, said partial end wall defining at least one wall opening for allowing fluid to flow from said fluid opening toward said mold cavity;
• a plunger disposed in said shot sleeve for pressing fluid through said at least one wall opening;
• at least one hold pin extending upwardly from said second molding surface, and each of said at least one hold pin being axially aligned with one of said at least one wall opening;
• a material separator disposed along one of said molding surfaces and movable relative to said molding surface,
• wherein said material separator is a break plate received in said first die half between said partial end wall of said shot sleeve and said first molding surface, said break plate is movable in a direction perpendicular to said first molding surface, said break plate defines at least one connection opening extending therethrough, and each connection opening is axially aligned with one of said at least one wall opening for allowing fluid to flow from said shot sleeve through said break plate and toward said mold cavity.