Rapid Prototyping Vacuum Casting Silicone Molds with Custom
Tolerance and Surface Finish
Rapid prototyping 3d vacuum casting silicone molds
Vacuum casting, also known as silicone mold, needs to be applied to
silicone mold. That is, the product prototype is processed
using 3D printing or CNC, and then the silicone mold is made under
vacuum conditions, and PA, POM, ABS and other materials
are poured under vacuum conditions, so as to copy the same parts as
the prototype. It can achieve the strength and hardness
of ABS and other materials, and can also be equipped with colors
according to customer requirements.
Advantages and disadvantages of vacuum casting
- Shapes with smooth surfaces can be produced
- Quality of the samples comparable to mass-produced injection molded
parts
- Inexpensive and short-term mold production
- High reproduction accuracy
- Various casting resins available that simulate series plastics
- Integration of molded and standard parts such as threaded bolts
into the plastic parts possible during casting
- The processing temperature of the casting material must be
realizable through the silicone mold
The vacuum casting production process is relatively manual and
includes several steps.
| Master Pattern Manufacturing |
The master pattern is usually manufactured by SLA 3D printing or
CNC machining The choice of method depends on the properties and
shape of the part to be produced.
|
| Creation of the silicone mold |
The master pattern is used to create the imprint in the silicone
mold, which will be used to duplicate the parts in the selected
material and color. It is also possible to create different types
of surfaces by polishing the mold impressions.
|
| Material preparation and vacuum casting |
The polyurethane material will be prepared and dyed in the selected
color if necessary. Then the silicone mold is placed in the vacuum
casting machine and the material is injected into it.
|
| Demolding and solidification |
Once the part is cast, the silicone mold is removed and the part is
demolded manually. The piece is then put in the oven (a few minutes
to a few hours depending on the size of the piece) and the casting
operation is repeated several times.
|
| Polishing and application of finishes |
During this last step the piece will be deburred and hand finished,
before applying the desired finishes (polishing, painting, marking
etc.)
|
The benefits of 3D printing technology
- Possibility of using flexible, transparent or rigid materials, with
mechanical and thermal characteristics similar to those of
mass-produced materials;
- Numerous finishes ;
- Possibility of overmolding and adding inserts;
- 3D part tinted in the mass;
- Wide range of technical resins;
- Soft/rigid bi-material moldings.
Vacuum Casting Tolerances
Description
|
Tolerance Notes
|
| Distance Dimensions | +/- 0.15 mm or +/- 0.45 mm per mm, whichever is larger, is typical.
Irregular or overly-thick geometries may cause deviances or
deflection due to shrinkage
|
| Shrink Mitigation | A shrinkage rate of +0.15% can be expected due to thermal expansion
of the liquid, and the response of the flexible mould
|
| Surface Quality | Surface finish is externally smoothed to a satin or matte surface.
Grow lines may be present on internal or difficult-to-access
features. Polishing or custom finishes must be clearly defined and
agreed upon at the point of order
|
| Feature Definition | Sharp corners and text may appear slightly rounded
|
The choice between vacuum casting and 3D printing depends on the
specific application and requirements of the part being produced.
For small to medium-sized production runs, vacuum casting may be
more cost-effective and efficient, especially when using 3D
printing
to create the master model. However, for one-off or highly
customized parts, 3D printing may be the better option.
Our Vacuum Casting Services
Experience high-quality production parts with Vacuum Casting, also
known as Urethane or Polyurethane casting.
At JYH, we offer a vast selection of plastic materials and can cast
parts ranging from small headphones to large 2-meter car bumpers.
Skip the lengthy lead times and tooling costs – choose Vacuum
Casting for efficient solutions.
Our Capabilities
|
Description |
Maximum build size
|
1.9 x 1.6 x 1.5 m |
Typical mould life |
15 – 25 parts
|
Materials
|
Wide range of thermoplastics, rubbers, transparent resins, etc.
|
Lead time
|
From as fast as 5 days |
Why Choose JYH- precision for Vacuum Casting Rapid Prototyping Services?
In the realm of vacuum casting, a multitude of manufacturers are
available for selection. Opting for the correct one holds
paramount importance to achieve your anticipated outcomes.
- Outstanding Quality and Rapid Performance
At JYH Precision, we believe that quality and speed should go hand
in hand. Our approach combines extensive industry expertise with
cutting-edge tools and technologies, enabling us to provide
top-notch vacuum casting services within tight timelines (usually 5
to 7 days). | - Enhancing Your Product with Finishing Services
Vacuum casting is just a part of our capabilities. we provide an
array of supplementary finishing services that contribute to
bringing your product to its full potential. These services
encompass machining, media blasting, printing, painting, and
beyond. |
- Smart Quotes Tailored to Your Every Project
We recognize that your requirements are distinct, and unnecessary
expenses are undesirable. Hence, we refrain from imposing minimum
order volumes or dollar values for our vacuum casting services. we
ensure swift and precise quotes within 1 hours or less for almost
all projects. | - Supporting Design for Manufacturing and Remote Flexibility
Vacuum casting is frequently utilized for prototyping, we
understand that many of the products . To facilitate their
refinement, we extend comprehensive design for manufacturing
assistance to our clients.
|
Vacuum Casting Materials
Acrylic-Like |
Acrylic-Like is a rigid and uncomplicated polyurethane plastic
designed to mimic acrylic (PMMA). It's used to craft components
that need some level of translucency, such as light panels, safety
screens, and automotive taillights.
|
ABS-Like |
ABS-Like is a versatile polyurethane plastic that imitates ABS
thermoplastic. Widely used, it's a reliable option suitable for
various parts.
|
Opaque Elastomer |
Opaque Elastomer is a polyurethane plastic designed to replicate
diverse rubber-like substances such as TPE, TPU, and silicone
rubber.
|
FAQ:
Q: Are you a trading company or a factory?
A:We are a factory.
Q: How do I get a quote?
A: Please send us your 3d drawing (STEP/IGS, PDF/STP/ etc) and tell
us the material, finish and quantity and we will quote within 2
hours.
Q: Can I order one for testing?
A: Yes.
Q: What is your lead time?
A: 5 to 10 working days
Shipping way:
QC checking before ship the product:
Payment term:
After service:
Package method:
Vacuum Casting Rapid Prototyping Of Small Production Runs For ABS
Polyurethanes,JYH is your best injection mold supplier!
Injection Moulding is highly repeatab.
