Yes, hot die casting requires tooling. The process involves injecting molten metal, such as zinc, into a steel mold (or die) under high pressure to create precise parts. The tooling, typically made of hardened steel, consists of a two-part mold (cavity and core) designed to shape the molten metal into the desired component. These dies are custom-made for each part, ensuring accuracy and repeatability. Tooling is a significant upfront cost in hot die casting, as the molds must withstand high temperatures and pressures, but it enables high-volume production with consistent quality.