Vacuum Casting

Process Description:-
Vacuum Casting is a process used to produce multiple components from a single master model in materials that closely mimic many production plastics. A liquid RTV Silicone rubber is used to encapsulate the master (normally an SLA model), and then once cured, cut open to create the mould tool. The mould is then placed under vacuum, where a 2-component Polyurethane resin is used to fill the cavity and create the casting.

Product Overview:-
   • Short lead-times to production
   • Cost effective multiple prototypes
   • Materials closely mimic many production plastics including:-
          - ABS, Nylon, POM, HIPS etc
          - Elastomers (Range: 25 - 95 Shore A)
          - UV stable Water Clear (transparent)
          - High Temperature Resistant
          - Flame Retardant
          - Semi Rigid (PP)
   • Full range of off tool surface finishes available
   • Self coloured / tinted castings to match requirements
   • Over Moulding and ‘moulded in' Insert options

Applications:-
   • Pre-production samples for
          - Marketing
          - Design evaluation
          - Fit & function testing
          - Preliminary shock, vibration, thermal & air flow evaluation.
          - Assembly line trialling
   • Low Volume / Pre-Production Manufacture
   • High quality Wax Patterns for Investment Casting 
   • Metallisation substrate (Copper, Silver, Gold, Chrome & Brushed
     Nickel)



Available Materials:-

PU Resin Overview   

LATEST NEWS

New resin gets USP approval.

Our new WaterShed® XC 11122 clear resin has passed USP Class VI testing making it suitable for prototypes that can be used in clinical trials.

Drumlord introduce new resin.

We are pleased to announce that Drumlord will be upgrading our existing DSM Somos® WaterShed® 11120 resin to the new, near colourless WaterShed® XC11122 photopolymer from the New Year.