Vacuum Casting - Prototypes & Small-Volume Plastic Parts Solution

What is Vacuum Casting

Vacuum casting – people also call it urethane casting. It is a rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing process that used to produce high-quality plastic parts with closely match the appearance, feel, and performance of injection-molded components. The process involves silicone mold making and liquid resin casting under vacuum, there are no steel mold investment.

How Does Vacuum Casting Process Work

Vacuum casting is a process whereby you use a vacuum environment to draw the liquid material into the silicone mold and solidified in the casting vacuum machine. This process allows you to create plastic-based complex components for your product prototypes. It is one of the best alternatives to injection molding, and with this method, you can lower the cost of production in your manufacturing process. However, the process is more suitable for low production volumes.

• Step 1: Prepare the master model with 3d printing services or CNC machining. Since the master patterns the casting parts, the master model must be a perfect size and cosmetic.
• Step 2: Located and firmed the master model into the proper position of a custom size wooden box.
• Step 3: Mix and pour the silicone into the box to create a silicone mold.
• Step 4: Split the silicone mold and the parting lines with a knife. This step must be processed carefully and detailed. Anything wrong usually leads to mold damage.
• Step 5: Take out the master model, maintain and store the master model well for the subsequent round silicone mold making.
• Step 6: Mix and pour the Polyurethane into the silicone mold to do the castings. Casting is under casting vacuum in a vacuum casting machine; the bubbles inside can be vacuumed out.
• Step 7: Remove the gate, overflows and flashes on the casting parts.
• Step 8: If the parts have post-finish requirements such as painting, silk printing etc., we will process them after deburring.
• Step 9: First part copied.
• Step 10: First part inspection and quality control during rapid manufacturing. If the first part is OK, then the second, the third etc. repeated under the casting vacuum machine.

Watch the Video Below to Learn More about Vacuum Casting

Benefits of Vacuum Casting in Rapid Prototyping

Vacuum casting is one of the manufacturers' most effective rapid prototyping methods. It follows the production process that is quite simple to do while helping the manufacturers to lower their production costs. There are also various other benefits of casting in rapid prototyping services, which is why many manufacturers are using this method as an alternative to injection molding. Here are the benefits:

• Cost

Vacuum cast allows manufacturers to lower production costs while improving their output quality. Compared to the more expensive plastic injection molding service, vacuum casting can give manufacturers plenty of benefits in terms of the overall cost of production. The cost-to-value ratio is excellent with casting. 

• Precision

It’s also possible for manufacturers to produce better prototypes using the vacuum caster. The process allows prototype productions that offer more accuracy and precision, which is true to the supplied 3D design.

• Complexity

Another beneficial aspect of the process is that it allows the manufacturers to produce the prototype designs with more complexities by vacuum casting machines. Using the liquid plastic material makes it possible for the vacuum caster to create prototypes with more complex shapes without worrying about incompatibility.

• Material Options

There are various polyurethane plastic materials manufacturers can use in the casting process. Each polyurethane will have unique properties, allowing the manufacturers to pick the best materials based on their production applications, such as a vacuum pot for resin casting.

• Efficiency

It is easy to produce prototypes using the casting method, and the plastic materials are easier to work with than their metal counterparts. The ease of production by vacuum casting machines will provide better efficiency for your prototype production. For manufacturers, using the casting method can help them produce more prototypes in a shorter production time while keeping their production costs within their budget.

Vacuum Casting Materials at TEAM RAPID

With the development of molecular and material science, vacuum casting materials are diverse. Thermoplastics, rubbers and resins are the three major vacuum casting materials, which can emulate specific properties and characteristics, including degrees of:

1. Physical appearance quality.

2. Surface texture/finish.

3. Transparency/translucence.

4. Rigidity.

5. Flexibility.

6. Strength.

7. Hardness.

8. Temperature resistance.

9. UV stability.

10. Color.

Commonly Used Vacuum Casting Resins at TEAM RAPID

Vacuum Casting Applications

Many manufacturers have been using the casting method for various applications. There are multiple uses of vacuum casting for producing prototypes and parts for different products. Here are the various usages:

• Foods and Beverages Prototypes 

Manufacturers often use plastic materials for food and beverage prototypes, such as plastic spoons, plastic forks, and other related items, which you can use once and then throw away. These prototypes use the casting method to produce, and with this method, manufacturers can speed up their production using the rapid manufacturing process.

• Consumer Electronics 

Plastic prototypes and parts are also common in consumer electronics. Plastic materials are suitable for the outer shell or housing of various electronic products. Polyurethane is the perfect material to house electrical components, as it will keep the users safe from electric currents. Manufacturers use vacuum casting to make the casing or housing for electronic products, such as smartphones, PC, laptops, and many others, in custom low-volume designs.

• Everyday Consumer Products

There are also many consumer products you can find daily that use the vacuum casting method in their production process. These products include eyeglasses, plastic containers, toothbrushes, and many others.

Common Items Made by Vacuum Casting

Vacuum Casting vs. Injection Molding

Vacuum casting is ideal for prototypes and small-volume parts need speed, flexibility, and low upfront investment, while injection molding is the best choice for high-volume, long-term production efficiency.

When to Choose Vacuum Casting

• You need high-quality prototypes or low-volume parts
• Fast turnaround is critical
• You want to minimize upfront tooling cost
• Design may still change

When to Choose Injection Molding

• You require medium to large-scale production
• Tight tolerances and long-term consistency are essential
• Part cost must be minimized at high volumes
• Design is fully finalized

Vacuum Casting vs. Injection Molding Table

Contact TEAM RAPID

The application of casting parts is massive. We usually depend on the parts' function and application to suggest our customer about materials; UP4280 (ABS-like material), PX521(PC-like material), and UPX8400(Rubber-like material) are some of the most commonly used materials at TEAM RAPID. Ready for your next casting project? Contact our team at [email protected] to:

• Get a free design and process evaluation
• Receive a quick quotation based on your drawings or 3D files
• Learn how to reduce cost and lead time for your project

Upload your CAD files or drawings now, and our team will get back to you within one business day.

Vacuum Casting FAQs