Vacuum casting, which is using a master prototype to make a silicone mould, and then produce the reproduction via pouring the material into the silicone mould. This tech is usually used for small batches production because the cost of the silicone mould is lower than the steel mould. Also, the production lead time of vacuum casting is shorter than other process, such as CNC machining and injection moulding. Low cost and fast production, that’s why vacuum casting products with better market competitiveness.
Investment casting or vacuum casting has several advantages to the prototype producing industries. Here are some of them:
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Quality this process lets you choose the correct material required to design the desired part according to its hardness. The finished product can be either painted in the desired color or can be kept simple that will give it crystal appearance. 01
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High precision the mold used to produce the prototype produce the parts similar to the original model. Even the complex parts with typical geometries can be easily produced using vacuum casting service. Moreover, it produces the final result with high precision. 02
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Prices and deadlines the process involves a cost-effective production where in loss investment more prototype can be produced. Parts can generate around 30 – 50 prototype parts in less than 15 days that is more beneficial during the urgent needs. 03
Mastars vacuum casting technical specifications
| Standard lead time | Up to 10 copies within 15 working days |
| Standard accuracy | ±0.3% (with a 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 |
Advantages of vacuum casting services for product developers
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Low cost, the prototyping industry often uses silicone vacuum casting to replicate small batches. The silicone mold can reproduce 10-20 pieces of the same prototype product within the life of the mold. Superior and smooth surface finishing. Fast speed, general production time: 1-4 hours/piece. Standard reproduction accuracy of the vacuum casting prototype: ±0.20mm/100mm. According to customer requirements, products with beautiful appearance can be made in different colors. It is suitable for prototype with complex product structure, uniform wall thickness and certain functional requirements. Good reproducibility of product processing. Ability to produce large parts.