Prototechasia is specialized in prototypes and low volume plastic parts. Our technologies for manufacturing low volume plastic parts are mainly CNC machining and low-pressure vacuum casting.
Technologies used for manufacturing low volume plastic parts
CNC-Machine
CNC machining is usually highly recommended for low-volume manufacturing services, except if it is imperative to use the real plastic material. Indeed, CNC machining does use the real plastic material while vacuum casting employs an equivalent, albeit offering very similar physical and mechanical characteristics.
As a matter of fact, our main process for low volume plastic parts production is cast urethane parts due to the fact that above ten parts, it overtakes CNC machining in terms of interests (price and lead time). The main reason is that tremendous economies of scale are generated thanks to the tooling.
Advantages of silicone molding for low volume plastic parts production
Vacuum mold
The silicone mold can be used several times, usually up to 20 thus offering an important gain of time and money over other technologies for small batch of plastic parts and prototypes. What’s more, the mold can be store several weeks thus enabling to put a production on hold. Another advantage is that once the mold is produced, a part can be done in several copies with various materials. It is possible to do several degrees of shore for instance when it comes to soft parts.
Low volume plastic parts made out of molding polymers may have various final utilizations. They may be used for technical tests, or produced with the idea to be sold in B2C. In case of emergency, vacuum casting fits for the production of spare parts. Another advantage of silicone molding is the fact that several copies of a same reference may be used to undergo various tests where each of them requires a new part. Moreover, flexible parts may be produced thanks to elastomers materials.
To finish, we work majorly with two material suppliers, Axson and Heicast for vacuum casting projects. Those two chemical companies possess a vast range of products to match technical standards needed by industrials. Our soft and rigid PU resins simulate injected polymers. Thanks to our large panel of urethane materials, we can obtain casted parts with various relevant technical properties: flame retardant, water clear, high temperature resistant, UV stable…
Silicone molding process in chronological order
- A three dimensional model of the prototype is designed on CAD files.
- A master model is machined or 3D printed from the drawings.
- A mold is produced by encasing the 3D printed model inside silicone rubber.
- An oven is used to cure the mold. The master model and the mold are separated, thus freeing the mold cavity.
- The mold is inserted inside a vacuum machine where the plastic liquid is injected.
- The mold is cured once again to solidify the casting resins.
- The polyurethane part is removed from the mold, which can be used to start over the process.
Silicone mold materials
Materials used in vacuum casting offer different properties and are mainly the following: polyurethane casting rubbers, polyurethane casting plastics, silicone rubbers, urethane rubber, urethane resins, epoxy casting, polyester and epoxy resins.
Characteristics differ from one material to another. Here are some properties which have an impact on the produced parts:
- Cost: silicone mold rubbers are more expensive than polyurethane rubbers
- Mechanical and chemical performance: Chemical resistance, Abrasion-resistance, stiffness, corrosion resistance…
- Elongation properties
- Degree of viscosity
- Hardness: elastomers are used to create flexible parts
- Color: some materials are naturally black or white, and can offer different level of transparency
We don´t share your data.
Comments (16)
Dear Sales,
I am looking for a production prototype for my enclosure. I want the enclosure to:
1. Have a matte smooth finish
2. Be UV resistant (as it will be used inside a vehicle in the front where the sun will hit (like the rearview mirror)
3. be waterproof
4. Withstand 70 Degrees Celcius.
Hi, I would like to explore having some plastic car parts reproduced. Can I email pictures for you to see what I want and discuss possibilities?
Hello,
Thank you for you comment !
We can reproduce plastic parts, one of our project managers will contact you very soon.
Prototech Team
Hi
I Would like to order a batch of chassis brackets. i have the stl file and need a more flexible plastic.
Can you guys produce it ?
Can u make a Mold from stl file. Is it expensive? Need about 500 units making and prototype is roughly the size of my hand (size guide) made up of various parts
Hello Jacqueline,
Thanks for your comment,
Yes we have vacuum casting technology to produce low series of small parts.
Please send me the 3D and I will provide quotation
TThe prototech team
I have a project i have been working on. I need a few pieces produced to test market viability. It is a modification of an existing product. Advise what you need for this to move from concept to reality in low volume
Hello Isaac,
Many thanks for your comment,
In order to produce your parts, we need 3D files drawings to confirm feasibility.
We also need to know what is your requirements for the material.
We will get in touch with you for your rapid prototyping project
We staring vacuum molding
ABS, PU, Materials how to produce different shore hardness component
We which material to be buy
Hello,
Many thanks for your comment,
To produce different shore hardness component, we produce with one PU similar TPE from Heicast. The resin is UPX 8400.
Then you can control the hardness according to the mix you prepare with this resin.
Have a great day,
The Prototech team
Do you have the entire catalogue of Axson material available in your workshop? I need a very specific PU material for my project?
Dear Carolina,
Many thanks for your comment,
We are buying some of our PU Materials from Axson but we mainly have access to the Chinese catalogue and the material that Axson provide for the Asian market. In some cases, we are able to supply it through a different partnership.
Please specify the material you need.
The Prototech Team
Hello, after reading your website, you stated that vacuum casted parts are up to 200 pieces. However the parts I need are pretty small and shouldn’t require the investment of a steel mold. I need 500 parts
Dear Sam,
Yes we can indeed make an exception for small parts projects where we can provide different layers within the same mold to provide several parts. Please share with us your CAD files so we can confirm the feasibility of the production,
Looking forward for your mail!
The Prototech Team
Hello, my CAD files are too heavy to be sent by mail or through your website, do you accept wetransfer exchanges?
Dear Mary,
Absolutely! Pease send us an e- mail with the access code to your exchange platform so we candownload the files and we will come back to you with a quote shortly.
Looking forward to receive your files,
The Prototech Team