vacuum casting

Vacuum Casting is a Rapid Prototyping technique that makes it possible to produce in a short period of time, with the aid of silicone molds, small series.

With the resins that are used for vacuum molding, can be mimicked many types of plastic. Think of PP, PC, ABS or rubbers with different Shore A values. It is possible to use food approved, or approved medical flame-resistant materials. It is possible for casting inserts, steel or other plastic parts. The resin can also be brought on color so that painting it is not necessary. It also comes pouring 2k (one product with different materials) offered.

In order to make a silicone die is a "master model" is needed. Because a decantation is an exact copy of the "master model" should be finished this and provide the desired surface texture. This model has to be a slightly scaled model of the final product. Basically, almost everything can be used, but the most common are:

Milled model Ureol (lacquered), aluminum, wood (painted) or plastic
DLP-model
SLA_model
SLS-model
VRT we use an SLA model. The combination of rapidly building and easily finishing makes this a very convenient technique to experience a master model.

Of a silicone mold to about 25 casts are made there. This will depend on the anti-discharges and the selected casting resin (polyurethane). There are a variety of polyurethanes can be used, depending on the requirements to be met by the product.

Also, it is possible to pour silicone products. There are two different devices are available for this application, the properties and the colors of silicones (in part) to determine for themselves. However, it must be taken into account in these castings with longer delivery times on account of the curing time of the silicone.

Reasons for vacuum casting:
Multiple products from one mold so that the unit price goes down.
Finishing a decantation takes less time as an SLA model. These can, to save costs, choose to only work on the visible side.

Mechanical requirements determined by end-material requirements; like eg for. PP, PC, ABS, EPDM with various shore-A hardness. Colored and transparent models can be made in large numbers by the best casts (paints is not needed) Special requirements with respect to FDA, flame retardancy, density, electrical conductivity.

cons: Casts are made from a master model, and this is always at the expense of accuracy. Accuracy is proportional to the dimensions of the model. Not all forms allow vacuum casting to. With an anti-discharge can be a problem, but because the silicone mold is deformable, this is not an immediate problem.

Casting General information about vacuum:
Dimensions: up to 500x500x500mm
minimum wall thickness: 0.5mm
For more information on all vacuum casting process, you can click here .