Vacuum Casting

Best Vacuum Casting Factory in China

 

At Plus Proto, we supply vacuum casting services to customers. Our Vacuum casting service is a complete solution, including creating master models, casting copies as per your CAD drawings, and making surface treatments as per your requests.

When you need plastic prototypes or low-volume plastic parts, you can choose Plus Proto’s vacuum casting service. It’s a cost-effective technique. It can help clients produce plastic parts that are almost the same as injection-molded high-quality. But with less cost, time, and money than Injection molding.

As a leading prototyping supplier in China, Plus Proto makes tens of thousands of vacuum casting parts for customers from all over the world every year. Send your drawings now. Our professional team will give you the best solutions and competitive prices.

What Is Vacuum Casting

 

Vacuum casting is also called Urethane casting in the USA and other North American areas. Some people call it Polyurethane casting as well. Vacuum casting is a low-volume manufacturing technology that utilizes a vacuum chamber to produce high-quality, accurate replicas of master patterns, typically made from silicone molds. This technique is widely used for rapid prototyping and small-scale production due to its cost-effectiveness, speed, and ability to replicate intricate details.

 

Vacuum Casting Process Introduction

There are mainly 5 steps to make polyurethane vacuum casting. They are the following:

 

1. Master Pattern Creation: A master pattern, usually made from a 3D printed or CNC machined model, is created with the desired shape and features.

 

2. Silicone Mold Production: The master pattern is encased in a liquid silicone rubber, which is then cured to form a flexible mold. Once cured, the mold is carefully cut open to remove the master pattern, leaving a cavity that replicates the original design.

 

3. Material Casting: A casting material, typically a two-part polyurethane resin, is prepared by mixing the components according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Once casting materials ready, they will be poured into the empty cavity.

 

4. Oven Heating: Depending on the sizes of the parts, it can take 12~24 hours to fully cure inside an oven.

 

5. Casting Copies: Once the part is dried, the mold can be cut and opened. You will be got an accurate copy.

 

 

 

 

When Do You Need Vacuum Casting?

 

• Low volume production
• Visual prototypes
• launch events or trade shows
• Market test
• Investor pitches

Vacuum Casting Materials

 

There are many material choices for vacuum casting. You can choose them depending on the requests of the projects.

At Plus Proto, we usually use two-part resins as the Urethane casting material. These resins are similar to common plastic injection molding materials and their appearance and performance.

Now here you can find the list of our regular casting resins that we use. If you have special requests that are not listed here, just contact us and we can special order any commercially available materials.

 

 

Shore Hardness Scales

 

 

1. ABS-Like: It’s a thermoplastic material. Hard, rigid, and impact resistant, it is suited for many products.

• Hardness: Shore D 78-82
• Applications: General items

 

2. Acrylic-Like: It’s a hard, transparent urethane resin. Medium to high strength and good light-admitting quality.

• Hardness: Shore D 87
• Applications: Light tube, see-through parts

 

3. PMMA: It’s a stable material anti-UV with good clarity.  a classic substitute for acrylic-like.

• Hardness: Shore D 90-99
• Applications: Great for glossy, clear parts, like lighting, and display items.

 

4. PS:  It’s a low-cost resin with high-impact strength.

• Hardness:  Shore D 85-90
• Applications: Disposable items, display parts.

 

5. Elastomer: It’s Polyurethane plastic resin(PU), rubber-like materials like TPU, TPE, and silicone.

• Hardness:  Shore A 20 to 90
• Applications: O rings, wearables bands, gaskets

Why Vacuum Casting Outperforms Traditional Manufacturing Methods

 

Vacuum casting excels in rapid prototyping and small-batch production due to its flexibility and cost efficiency. Unlike injection molding, which requires expensive steel molds, vacuum casting uses silicone molds that can be produced faster and at a fraction of the cost. This makes it perfect for startups or businesses testing new designs. The process also ensures exceptional surface finish and dimensional accuracy, replicating intricate details that 3D printing might miss. For industries like automotive or consumer electronics, where design iterations are frequent, partnering with a skilled vacuum casting factory reduces time-to-market while maintaining quality.

 

Key Applications of Vacuum Casting in Modern Industries

 

From medical devices to consumer goods, vacuum casting factories serve diverse sectors. In healthcare, the method produces biocompatible prototypes for surgical tools or hearing aids. Automotive engineers use it to create lightweight, heat-resistant components for testing. Even the entertainment industry relies on vacuum-cast props for film and gaming due to its ability to mimic textures like metal or wood. Case studies show that companies working with specialized factories achieve 30–50% cost savings compared to traditional methods, especially for batches under 1,000 units.

 

How to Choose the Right Vacuum Casting Factory

 

Selecting a reliable vacuum casting factory requires understanding your project’s technical requirements and aligning them with the manufacturer’s capabilities. Start by evaluating their expertise in materials like silicone molds, polyurethanes, or specialized resins. A factory with ISO certifications and a proven track record in producing low-volume, high-precision parts is ideal. For instance, aerospace or medical device prototypes demand strict tolerances and material certifications, so prioritize factories with industry-specific experience. Transparent communication about timelines, costs, and post-processing options (like painting or assembly) is critical to avoid delays.