Design Tips for Vacuum Casting

Vacuum casting, also known as urethane casting, is a method used for low volume production. It produces parts with quality similar to injection moulding but with much shorter lead times. This process is great for making small batches of plastic or rubber parts using various thermoplastics, rubbers, and resins.

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Vacuum Casting Process & Characteristics

How Does Vacuum Casting Work?

The silicone vacuum casting process involves three main stages:

1. Creating a master model using either 3D printing (via SLA or SLS) or CNC machining.
2. Constructing the silicone tool by pouring liquid silicone rubber around the master pattern and curing it in a vacuum chamber.
3. Pouring resin into the cavity to generate a production-like replica. This method offers increased freedom and flexibility in part production compared to alternative manufacturing technologies.

Characteristics of Vacuum Casting

Maximum Size Up to x mm Vacuum casting materials

• Over 10 rigid and rubber-like plastics
• Flame-retardant (UL94-V0)
• Food-grade (very rare material)
• Imitation of glass-filled material (rare material)

Surface Virtually all types of VDI surfaces Wall thickness No more than 3.5 mm for a good result Average mold life 10-20 runs

Vacuum Casting Process Considerations

Considerations regarding the vacuum casting production process are important to note as well:

• Surface quality: The silicone mold replicates even the smallest details. Therefore, it&#;s crucial to eliminate surface defects to achieve impeccable finishes and smooth surface textures on the master model.
• Mold lifespan: Silicone molds degrade over time with use. Depending on factors like part complexity and material choice, molds may last around 10-20 runs on average.

Vacuum Casting Design Tips

To take full advantage of this technology, it is important that your 3D model closely follows a set of geometric recommendations.

Wall Thickness

Consistent wall thickness is essential for successful vacuum casting. Varying thickness can result in uneven cooling and curing rates, potentially causing deformities or weak spots in the part.

Generally, we recommend a minimum wall thickness of 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm for small to medium-sized parts, with larger parts requiring greater thickness. However, the optimal thickness may depend on your specific project and selected material.

Bosses

Bosses should maintain a minimum height and diameter of 1 mm, while their wall thickness should not exceed 60% of the nominal thickness to reduce sinking.

Ribs

Ribs can bolster strength and diminish warping on expansive flat regions. To mitigate shrinkage and sinking effects, rib thickness should be less than the wall thickness. Experts advise keeping rib thickness below 60% of the nominal wall thickness, with rib height restricted to less than three times its thickness.

Example of ribs added to a flat surface

Undercuts

Undercuts and overhangs pose challenges in molding and casting as they are hidden or extend over a cavity. However, vacuum casting excels in handling these features more effectively than other manufacturing techniques.

Designing parts with undercuts or overhangs for vacuum casting will affect mold complexity and may necessitate additional considerations or adjustments.

These features are measured from or to the surface of the tool and can hinder tool component extraction. Aim for undercuts no deeper than 15 mm to avoid this issue.

Embossed Details

Recessed or embossed text and logos should have a minimum depth or height of 1 mm and a width of 1 mm to ensure visibility. To optimize visibility, maintain a 1 mm gap between letters.

Draft Angles

Draft angles are crucial in vacuum casting. They entail a slight taper on vertical walls of part designs, enlarging the mold opening compared to its base. This is vital for easy part removal from the mold, minimizing the risk of damage.

Aim for draft angles of 1 to 2 degrees in your design, although the ideal angle can vary based on part geometry and material. Incorporating draft angles enhances mold longevity and improves cast part quality.

Example of draft angles on the mold, allowing the par to be easily removed

Summary of Best Design Practices

Wall Thickness At least 0.75-1.0 mm Bosses Minimum height of 1.0 mm; minimum diameter of 1.0 mm Wall Thickness For Bosses No more than 60% of wall thickness Rib Thickness No more than 60% of wall thickness Rib Height No more than 3x of rib thickness Engraved and Embossed Details Minimum depth of 1.0mm; minimum width of 1.0 mm Draft Angles At least 1 to 2 degrees

Designing for Material Properties

Material choice is critical in vacuum casting, impacting design outcomes significantly. Variations in flexibility, strength, and temperature resistance among materials necessitate careful consideration during part design.

For materials with high flexibility, assess if your design can handle potential flexing without functional compromise. Conversely, for rigid materials, avoid stress concentrations that may cause cracking or failure.

A successful design considers not only part geometry but also its interaction with the chosen material&#;s properties.

Insert Molding Hardware

Example applications for vacuum casting encompass soft-feel grips on products like hairbrushes or handheld controllers. It&#;s also prevalent in developing medical devices, drug delivery systems, consumer goods, and automotive trim.

The process involves overmolding materials of varying grades of PU, with the secondary molding occurring before the primary molding fully cures. This results in a robust bond between the materials, yielding parts suitable for handling trials.

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What Can Be Overmolded With Vacuum Casting?

Optimal outcomes are achieved through overmolding PU castings. However, we can also overmold CNC machined plastic or metal parts, as well as modified production parts.

Insert molding is commonly employed to integrate purchased components like threaded inserts or electrical contacts, or parts machined in-house, particularly when tight tolerances are crucial. For cases requiring multiple inserts, we can CNC machine a fixture to ensure accurate positioning relative to each other and the mold cavity.

Vacuum cast parts

Conclusion

Mastering vacuum casting design is crucial for superior part quality, production efficiency, and project success. By following outlined considerations and best practices, engineers and designers can unleash the full potential of vacuum casting technology.

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Vacuum casting is an ideal solution for creating production-grade parts without the lead time and cost of production tooling. With this method, you can make parts of any size, from small headphones to long car bumpers. Working with a reputable service provider gives you access to a wide range of materials to suit your project&#;s unique requirements.

But is it for you? Let&#;s look at the process in detail to help you make an informed choice.

Understanding the casting process

The process casts elastomers using a vacuum to draw liquid material into the mold. It is helpful when air entrapment becomes an issue with your mold. Vacuum casting may also be practical when your design requires undercuts and intricate details on the mold. As such, it is sometimes referred to as thermoforming because it involves rapid prototyping and the preheating of plastic sheets. Preheating occurs in the automated machine until the material is pliable and soft.

How it works

 

Vacuum casting involves three steps:

1. Making the master model

A high-quality master model is CNC machined or 3D printed using selective laser sintering (SLS) or stereolithography (SLA)

2. Curing

The manufacturer pours liquid silicone around your master model and leaves it to cure. After drying, the master is cut from the mold, leaving the cavity.

3. Casting

Resin is poured into the cavity to make the production-like replica. You can ask the manufacturer to mix the resin with any pigment or metallic powder to achieve your desired functional or aesthetic properties. Then, the mold is introduced into the vacuum chamber to prevent air bubbles that can damage the final product. Curing occurs in high temperatures to ensure a durable and strong material. The silicone mold is reusable for making more prototypes. The final product can be painted or decorated to achieve further aesthetic requirements.

Is it for you?

Vacuum casting may be cost-effective and faster for producing duplicate or consistent parts and prototypes fast with precision and fine detail. That means you&#;re getting high-quality results at a lower cost. Some of its commonly used applications are in food and beverage, commercial products, and household products.