If you’re still utilizing production tooling to produce low-volume, production-quality parts, you’re likely aware of the time and cost involved. It’s time to consider vacuum casting, a more advanced method that can produce parts of equal quality regardless of size.

Vacuum casting, also referred to as cast urethanes, involves creating a custom mold to produce small quantities of high-quality plastic or rubber-like parts. Liquefied material is then injected into the mold while under a vacuum, resulting in a precise and detailed piece with an exceptional surface finish.

Vacuum casting has come a long way in terms of application and technology. Still, low-volume part production remains beneficial to anyone looking to save time and money. Here are some of its most significant applications and technological advancements.

Where is it useful?

Cast urethanes have many useful applications today. One of its most common uses is rapid prototyping since it produces production-grade parts quickly and cost-effectively. Plus, it requires a low, upfront investment to help you save money during product development.

Given its versatility, molding can meet low-volume end-use manufacturing requirements. It delivers self-colored identical parts from a wide range of materials, like transparent soft rubber, PC, ABS, PA, PMMA, or PP. Vacuum casting lets you recreate the same part using production-quality materials for a range of industries, including industrial electronics, consumer products, and FMCG manufacturing.

Better technologies

Product designers, manufacturers, and engineers trust cast urethane molding to make high-quality precision parts with intricate details. With evolving technology, the applications of this molding technique continue to grow. Here are some important examples:

• Medical implants: The medical industry uses cast urethanes to make complex custom components like prosthetics and implants.
• Food packaging: Vacuum castingcan produce custom packaging components and molding tools for food production.
• Automotive: Vacuum-cast automotive parts are highly detailed and accurate, making them in high demand for body panels, exhaust systems, and intake manifolds.
• Aerospace: Repeatability, accuracy, and ability to produce intricate details make cast urethanes ideal for fuel systems, air ducts, and exterior parts for aircraft.

Get cast urethanes from the experts!

Save time and get high-quality parts cost-effectively with our vacuum casting services here at HLH Proto! Get a quote or request a free project review, so we can tell you more about our process.