Vacuum casting is a rapid prototyping technology that allows the duplication of dozens of plastic parts (with the presence of the undercuts) from a master model. The parts obtained are suitable for assembly testing. This process uses the vacuum effect to inject the material into a silicone mold (hence the alternative names “silicone molding” and “vacuum casting”). The injected materials are polyurethanes whose Shore (hardness) can be adjusted. Therefore, unlike other technologies, it allows the creation of flexible parts.
The silicone molding requires a master model manufactured by 3D milling or printed by SLA. The mold then allows for perfect duplication.
Technical details of vacuum mold casting
The silicone molding first requires the manufacture of a master model by 3D machining or 3D printing. Once the master part is obtained, a silicone mold is created from it. The raw material is mixed and injected into this mold by suction in a vacuum bell jar. The cast part then hardens in an oven for 30 to 40 minutes before being removed from the mold. The silicone mold can be reused several times, which results in significant economies of scale from 10 parts, but it has a limited service life. This process allows the perfect duplication of the model part.
Applications
The parts obtained by vacuum casting are suitable for functional and visual testing. Indeed, the physical, mechanical, thermal and aesthetic qualities of the parts created are very similar to those of series injection parts. This is explained by a large number of available resins that offer a wide range of possibilities. We work in particular with the Axson and Heicast ranges. For example, the material can be transparent, can imitate a fiber reinforced, be of different hardnesses, or reproduce the properties of ABS, PMMA, PC, PE, PP, etc.. Finally, our workshop can apply various finishes, such as glossy finishing or soft touch and can simulate several applications such as overmolding of inserts.
The value of vacuum casting in China
The parts obtained by vacuum casting are visually and mechanically very similar to series injection parts. This technology is suitable for both rapid prototyping and low volume plastic parts production (fewer than 100 parts). The repeatability and speed of this process are indeed advantageous because only 5 to 7 days are needed to produce 30 to 50 functional prototypes. For more than a dozen parts, vacuum casting is generally more relevant than 3D printing and CNC machining.
To read more about vacuum casting, please find below articles:
Comments (6)
Hi, I would need about thirty prototypes with M3 insert on it; do you provide this application by silicone molding?
Dear Kevin,
Many thanks for your comment,
We are capable of doing M3 inserts. Depending on the part; we can do this via silicone molding with special post processing or CNC machining.
Looking forward to receive your mail,
The Prototech Team
Could you provide half-transparent/translucent parts by vacuum casting production?
Dear Younes,
Many thanks for your comment,
Yes, we can do translucent parts. Some examples of our past projects can be found here: https://prototechasia.com/en/realisations
Hello, could you confirm which material do you use for vacuum casted pieces? I would require to test the resistance of the material before proceed to order.
Dear Frank,
Many thanks for your comment,
We offer a big selection of materials. For vacuum casted pieces, we offer the following plastics:
PX 100, PX 118, PX 5211 (PX 521HT), PX 5212, PX 5210, PX 527, UPX 8400, PX 212 (UP 5690), PX 223HT, PX 2017, PX 220 (UP 4280), UR 2180, XU50, 8260. Concerning elastomers (EPDM), we can make different shores (hardness) ranging from 50-90. We would be delighted to find the right material for your project. If you send us a 3D file we can do so right away.
Your Prototech Asia Team