Urethane Casting

Vacuum Casting Services & From Prototype to Production

Seamless Transition from Prototype to Production – Global Delivery in Under 10 Days

At XLC, we have the expertise to meet all your vacuum casting and silicone molding requirements. Our years of experience ensure that your plastic parts are manufactured to the highest standards, efficiently and quickly.

Vacuum casting is a great method to make rigid or flexible parts, and is ideal for high quality prototypes, function testing, concept proofing and display demos. Urethane casting parts can be made from a few to hundreds as required.

Why Choose Vacuum Casting?

1. Rapid Production

XLC can deliver up to 20 parts within 15 days or less, depending on the part specifications and order volume.

2. Economical Choice

Silicone molds are significantly cheaper than the tooling required for injection molding, resulting in more affordable pricing.

3. Suitable for Large Components

Vacuum casting can produce very large parts, depending on the type of equipment used.

4. Superior Surface Quality vs. Injection Molding

Vacuum casting removes air bubbles and captures fine details, delivering a superior surface finish compared to traditional injection molding.

5. Custom Color Solutions

Coloring pigments can be added to the resin, allowing for a variety of color options to meet your needs.

6. Reliable Repeatability

Silicone molds can be used up to 20 times before needing replacement, ensuring reliable and consistent results.

Common Vacuum Casting Applications

What is Vacuum Casting?

Vacuum casting is a precision manufacturing technique that leverages vacuum pressure to draw liquid casting material into a mold cavity. Unlike injection molding, which forces molten material into a mold using mechanical pressure, vacuum casting relies on a vacuum to create a smooth and bubble-free surface.

This process is especially advantageous for parts with complex geometries, undercuts, or fine details. It begins with a master model, which XLC typically creates using advanced CNC machining centers (though 3D printing is also an option). This master model is then submerged in liquid silicone, which is allowed to cure and harden to form the mold.

Once the master model is removed from the cured silicone, the mold is ready for use. Casting resin is poured into the mold, and a vacuum is applied to eliminate air bubbles and ensure a flawless finish. The resin is then cured in an oven, and the finished part is carefully removed once cooled. The silicone mold can be reused approximately 20 times, making it highly efficient for small-scale production.

Each cast part is an exact replica of the original master model, making vacuum casting an ideal solution for rapid prototyping and producing small batches of high-quality parts.

Urethane Casting FAQ's

Why would I choose urethane casting over injection molding?

Urethane casting is a more affordable alternative to IM, especially in low volumes. It also offers unique advantages like an excellent surface finish.

Can I make production-quality parts using urethane casting?

Urethane casting is best for making visually impressive prototypes, but it can also be used for non-mechanical end-use parts like cases and covers.

What happens to the silicone mold(s)? Can I keep them?

The silicone molds used in urethane casting have a short lifespan, typically around 20 moldings, so we dispose of them after use.
If you wish to keep the 3D printed or CNC machined master model, talk to us directly.