Vacuum casting
China Rapid prototyping offers low volume production by vacuum casting (or Room Temperature Vacuum casting)
Vacuum casting is a prototyping technology used when you need a short run of your 3d cad model made out of a PolyUrethane with properties close to real injected plastics such as ABS, POM ,PA or TPE's TPR rubbers
Usually series of 5-100 pieces will be run using this casting technology.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF Vacuum casting?
The main advantages of this process are amuch lower tooling costs and a quicker turn-around than traditional steel mould making. the lead-time to create casted models is around 7-10 days.
The products have an exceptional detail and accuracy which comes close to the final injected plastic parts.
Flexible silicone moulds allow significant undercuts, simplifying mould-making and containing costs.
The process:
The first step of vacuum casting process involves encapsulating/enclosing a master model in a liquid Silicone rubber. Than a vacuum is applied to the mould. The mould is then cured in an oven at around 70°C
Once cured the mould can be split up in 2 or more parts, at
which point the master model is removed leaving a mould cavity
perfectly replicating the master model.
what is possible with vacuum casting?;
We can make double or triple shot products, we can cast rubber or TPE or TPR like materials. (with 20-80 shore A hardness)
We can vacuum cast optical clear plastics ( same like PMMA) and we can use Inserts in the products.
For more information and for a quotation please email your
cadfiles and detailed information to:
contact: info@prototypingchina.com
or on skype:
