How Does Vacuum Casting Work?
Vacuum Casting begins by producing a master model, typically using Stereolithography or Laser Sintering, with a high-quality surface finish. Then a silicone cncmachine.ltd/’ target=’_blank’>Mold is produced by casting silicone around the master copy, partially under vacuum to avoid air bubbles. After curing, the silicone cncmachine.ltd/’ target=’_blank’>mold is cut according to pre-defined parting planes and the master is removed, leaving a cavity to make copies.
Why choose Vacuum Casting?
Silicone molding results in high-quality parts comparable to injection-molded components. This makes vacuum casted models especially suitable for fit and function testing, marketing purposes or a series of final parts in limited quantities. Vacuum Casting also lends itself well to a variety of finishing degrees, and we can match the finish you need for your parts.
Ideal applications for Vacuum Casting
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Pre-launch product testing
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Small series of housings and covers
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Concept models and prototypes
Choose Vacuum Casting
When You Need…
- Fast and cost-effective low-volume production series
- Prototype series
- Conventional manufacturing plastics
- Large parts up to 1900 x 900 x 750 mm
- Multi-material parts via overmolding
Technical Specifications for Vacuum Casting
| Standard lead time | Up to 10 copies within 10 days |
| Standard accuracy | ± 0.3% (with lower limit on ± 0.3 mm on dimensions smaller than 100 mm) |
| Minimum wall thickness | To ensure that the mold is filled properly, a wall thickness of at least 0.75 mm is necessary. For best results, we recommend a wall thickness of at least 1.5 mm |
| Maximum part dimensions | The size of the mold is limited by the dimensions of the vacuum chamber (1900 x 900 x 750 mm) and by the volume of the product (maximum volume: 10 liters) |
| Typical quantities | Up to 25 copies per mold (depending on the mold’s complexity and the casting materials) |
| Surface structure | High-quality surface finish comparable to injection molding |
Materials for Vacuum Casting
We offer an exceptional range of 26 carefully selected polyurethanes that are similar to rubber, PP, ABS and PC. These materials provide an outstanding variety of properties, and offer the possibility to match colors and cast transparent components. If you are looking for a specific finish, our skilled post-production team for Vacuum Casting will match your requirements.
Contact us for more detailed information, to find the material most suitable for your project.
Material Datasheets
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Rubber-like polyurethanes
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ABS-like polyurethanes
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PE/PP-like polyurethanes
Finishing Degrees for Vacuum Casted Parts
| Finishing | Gates, runners and flash removal | Sandblasting | Primer | Manual smoothing | Coating/Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ◆ | ◆ Pigmented in black, unless specified otherwise |
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| Natural | ◆ | ◆ No added pigment; original color of PU resin is visible |
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| Sandblasted | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ Pigmented in black, unless specified otherwise |
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| Normal A-Side | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ Black matte paint (textured) on A-side |
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| Smooth A-Side | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ Black matte paint (smooth) on A-side |
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| Ready to Paint | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ Primer in white or gray |
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| Soft Touch | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ On A-side only, unless specified |
◆ Soft touch paint on A-side according to specified RAL color |
| Colored in Mass | ◆ | ◆ Mass pigmented according to specified RAL color |
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| Matte Paint | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ On A-side only, unless specified |
◆ 2K PU matte paint according to specified RAL color |
| High-Gloss Paint | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ On A-side only, unless specified |
◆ 2K PU glossy paint according to specified RAL color |
| Fine-Texture Paint | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ On A-side only, unless specified |
◆ 2K PU matte paint according to specified RAL color, fine texture |
| Spatter Paint | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ On A-side only, unless specified |
◆ 2K PU paint on A-side according to specified RAL color, coarse texture with spatter finish |
| Satin Paint | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ On A-side only, unless specified |
◆ 2K PU satin paint according to specified RAL color |
| Translucent | ◆ | ◆ Can be slightly colored if desired |
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| Transparent | ◆ | ||||
| Metal Plating | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ Metal plated |