Vacuum Casting: Economical Method for Large Scale Production

A popular way to make prototypes is by vacuum casting metal, and this method has struck a chord with manufacturers looking for more economical prototyping solutions.

What is Vacuum Casting?

Simply put, vacuum casting metal is very beneficial for prototypes that require intricate details. This process is used for elastomers and involves using a vacuum to fill the mold with liquid material. This method prevents air entrapment problems.

Vacuum casting allows for undercuts and detailing on the mold. This method is also used if the mold is made of reinforced wire or fiber. Sometimes, the process of vacuum casting metal is also called thermoforming as the plastic sheets need to be preheated during manufacturing, thus involving rapid prototyping. A vacuum casting machine automatically preheats the materials to make them pliable.

Does Vacuum Casting Provide Precision?

Yes, and that’s the main reason why manufacturers prefer vacuum casting metal over other methods. If you use silicone for the mold, it ensures attention to detail and the prototype resembles the end product very much. This process can handle even complex geometrical designs.

Can Vacuum Casting Provide High-Quality Results?

As vacuum casting also uses resin, you can choose any material that is fit for your product. This ensures greater control over quality, and you can choose the right material with the needed hardness, rigidity, and flexibility. As the material plays a major role in the process, it ensures high quality in the end product.

Is Vacuum Casting Economical?

Vacuum casting metal is very affordable because it uses silicone, which is much more economical than other materials like steel or aluminum. This lowers the cost of final products while still keeping the quality high. Also, it lets you produce more prototypes from the same mold. Hence, it is more cost-effective than 3D printing.

Also, vacuum casting is very fast and can help you make around fifty functioning parts in less than 10 days. This reduces the manufacturing time and thus saves you a lot of money as well. Vacuum casting is a great choice if you want to meet strict deadlines.

Which Materials Can Be Used for Vacuum Casting?

Vacuum casting metal and other materials is a very easy and flexible option for manufacturers, as they get to choose from a large list of materials, some of which are:

Poly Carbonate

vacuum cleaner for wet and dry

Carbon Fibre

vacuum casting

ABS Plastic

Detail Resin

Strong Nylon

Flex Rubber

Industrial Metals

What are the Applications of Vacuum Casting?

Manufacturers from various streams and industries have adopted vacuum casting to create economical products for the consumer market. From commercial products to household ones, vacuum casting metal has seen various uses in modern manufacturing.

The major reason behind this trend is that vacuum casting when used on a large scale, is very cheap and fast.

Vacuum casting is heavily used in the Food and Beverages industry. Companies use the process to create packaging for their products. They use this method to make tins, plastic bottles, and containers.

Other commercial products like smartphone cases, pens, sunglasses, food packaging, etc., are also made with vacuum casting. Since such products require large-scale production, vacuum casting keeps the cost low while keeping the manufacturing speed fast.

Everyday household products like cosmetics, food processing, washing detergents, etc., are also made by using the vacuum casting method. Even the most well-known brands providing high-quality products use this process to create affordable consumer products.

How to Learn More About Vacuum Casting?

If you are a manufacturer, you should note that vacuum casting metal is a more economical option than injection molding and 3D printing. This means you can create more products, and the more you produce, the lower the cost. If you are looking for vacuum casting services, you can check out our X-rapidtech website for a list of our high-quality offerings.