If you’re a manufacturer looking for high-quality, cost-effective prototyping or low-volume production solutions, vacuum casting Portugal offers a compelling mix of technical expertise, prix compétitifs, and proximity to European markets. En bref, vacuum casting in Portugal leverages advanced silicone mold technology and vacuum-assisted resin casting to create precise, durable parts—ideal for industries like automotive, dispositifs médicaux, et l'électronique grand public. What sets Portugal apart? It combines decades of manufacturing heritage with modern facilities, making it a go-to hub for businesses seeking faster turnaround times than Asia without sacrificing quality.
What Is Vacuum Casting, and Why Choose Portugal for It?
D'abord, clarifions les bases: moulage à vide (also called urethane casting) is a rapid prototyping and low-volume production process. It starts with a master model (Souvent imprimé en 3D), which is used to create a flexible silicone mold. Resin is then poured into this mold under vacuum pressure to eliminate air bubbles, resulting in parts that mimic the look, sentir, and functionality of injection-molded components. Contrairement à la fabrication traditionnelle, it works for small batches (typically 10–100 parts per mold) and supports a wide range of materials, from rigid plastics to soft rubbers.
So why pick Portugal for this process? Three key reasons stand out:
- Strategic Location: Portugal is within 2–3 days of major European markets (Allemagne, France, Espagne) by road or rail, cutting shipping times and costs compared to Asian suppliers. Par exemple, a German automotive startup we worked with reduced lead times from 6 semaines (with a Chinese vendor) à 10 days by switching to a Portuguese vacuum casting provider.
- Expertise technique: Portugal’s manufacturing sector has invested heavily in advanced prototyping technologies over the past decade. Selon le Portuguese Association of Engineering and Industrial Design (APEDI), sur 75% of local vacuum casting facilities use state-of-the-art vacuum systems and computer-aided design (GOUJAT) integration—well above the European average of 62%.
- Cost Competitiveness: While not as cheap as some Asian countries, Portugal offers a balance of quality and affordability. Labor costs are approximately 30% lower than in Germany or Switzerland, and local resin suppliers (like Repsol and Covestro’s Portuguese branches) reduce material shipping costs. UN 2024 study by the European Manufacturing Technology Platform (EMTP) found that vacuum casting in Portugal is 15–20% more cost-effective than in Northern Europe for batches of 50+ parties.
The Vacuum Casting Process in Portugal: Ventilation étape par étape
Portuguese manufacturers follow a standardized, quality-controlled process to ensure consistency. Vous trouverez ci-dessous une ventilation détaillée, with insights from our experience working with 12+ facilities across the country:
1. Préparation du modèle de maître
The process starts with a master model, usually 3D-printed using SLA (Stéréolithmicromographie) ou FDM (Modélisation des dépôts fusionnés) technologie. Most Portuguese shops use high-precision printers (with layer heights as low as 0.02mm) to ensure the master captures every detail—critical for industries like medical devices, where tolerances can be as tight as ±0.1mm.
Étude de cas: A Lisbon-based vacuum casting firm worked with a medical device startup to create a master model for a diagnostic tool. They used SLA resin with a Shore D hardness of 85 to mimic the final product’s rigidity, then sanded and polished the model to eliminate layer lines—resulting in molds that produced parts with a smooth, medical-grade finish.
2. Création de moisissures en silicone
Suivant, the master model is placed in a mold box, et le silicone liquide est versé autour. Portuguese manufacturers typically use two-part silicone (Par exemple, silicone en platine) because it offers high tear resistance (jusqu'à 50 N/mm) and can withstand multiple casting cycles (usually 20–50, depending on the resin). The silicone is cured at room temperature (20–25 ° C) for 4–8 hours, then the mold is cut open to remove the master.
One unique practice in Portugal is the use of dégazage sous vide for the silicone itself. This step removes air bubbles from the silicone before pouring, preventing defects in the mold—a detail many lower-cost suppliers skip.
3. Resin Casting and Curing
The silicone mold is then placed in a vacuum chamber, and liquid resin is poured into the mold cavity. Le vide (typiquement -0.95 bar) pulls air out of the resin, ensuring no bubbles form in the final part. Portuguese facilities offer a wide range of resins, y compris:
- ABS-like resins: For rigid parts (Shore D 70–85) used in automotive interiors.
- TPU-like resins: Pour les pièces flexibles (Rivage A 50–90) used in gaskets or grips.
- Flame-retardant resins: For electronics components (Rencontre UL94 V-0 normes).
- Biocompatible resins: Pour les dispositifs médicaux (conforme à l'ISO 10993).
Après avoir versé, the resin is cured—either at room temperature (24 heures) or in an oven (60°C for 2–3 hours) pour accélérer le processus.
4. Post-Processing and Quality Control
Une fois guéri, the parts are removed from the mold and undergo post-processing: courir l'excès de résine (éclair), ponçage, peinture, or adding inserts (Par exemple, metal threads). Quality control is strict in Portugal—most facilities use coordinate measuring machines (CMMS) to check part dimensions against CAD files. Par exemple, a Porto-based supplier we partnered with has a 0.05mm accuracy CMM and rejects any part that exceeds ±0.1mm tolerance for critical features.
Key Industries Using Vacuum Casting in Portugal
Vacuum casting in Portugal serves a diverse set of industries, chacun avec des besoins uniques. Below’s how the process adds value to three major sectors:
Industrie automobile
Portugal’s automotive sector (un \(30 billion industry, per the Portuguese Automotive Association) relies heavily on vacuum casting for prototyping and low-volume production. Suppliers create parts like dashboard prototypes, boîtiers de capteurs, and rubber gaskets—often with custom colors or textures to match final production parts. One advantage is speed: a Portuguese shop can deliver 20 automotive prototype parts in 5–7 days, compared to 2–3 weeks for traditional injection molding. Exemple: A major European automaker used a Portuguese vacuum casting firm to test 30 different dashboard designs. By using vacuum casting, they avoided the \)50,000 cost of an injection mold and reduced design iteration time by 60%.
Fabrication de dispositifs médicaux
Portugal is a leader in medical device production (home to companies like B. Braun and Smith & Nephew), and vacuum casting plays a key role here. Biocompatible resins and strict quality control make it ideal for creating prototypes of surgical tools, dispositifs de diagnostic, and patient monitors. All medical-grade vacuum casting in Portugal complies with EU MDR (Medical Device Regulation) normes, ensuring parts are safe for clinical use.
UN 2023 survey by APEDI trouvé que 68% of Portuguese medical device manufacturers use vacuum casting for prototyping—up from 45% in 2019—due to its ability to replicate the feel of final materials (Par exemple, rigid plastic for forceps, soft rubber for grips).
Électronique grand public
Pour l'électronique grand public (Par exemple, étuis pour smartphone, appareils portables), vacuum casting in Portugal offers fast turnaround and high aesthetic quality. Suppliers can match the matte or glossy finishes of injection-molded parts and even add logos or textures via mold engraving. A Lisbon-based electronics startup used vacuum casting to produce 500 limited-edition smartwatch bands, saving over $10,000 compared to an injection mold and getting the product to market in 3 semaines.
How to Choose the Right Vacuum Casting Partner in Portugal
Not all vacuum casting facilities in Portugal are the same. To find the right partner, focus on these four criteria:
1. Capacités techniques
Ask about:
- Resin options: Do they offer the material you need (Par exemple, biocompatible, ignifuge)?
- Équipement: Do they use high-precision 3D printers and CMMs?
- Max part size: Can they handle your part dimensions (most Portuguese shops handle up to 500x500x300mm)?
Avoid suppliers that only offer a limited range of resins or don’t use vacuum degassing for silicone molds—these are red flags for quality.
2. Expérience de l'industrie
Look for a partner with experience in your sector. Par exemple, a facility that specializes in automotive parts may not have the expertise to handle medical-grade casting (which requires stricter documentation and biocompatible materials). Ask for case studies or references—most reputable Portuguese suppliers will share examples of past work.
3. Lead Times and Pricing
Get clear quotes that include all costs (maître modèle, moule, résine, post-traitement). Typical lead times in Portugal are 5–10 days for small batches (10–50 pièces), but this can vary. Be wary of suppliers that promise “24-hour turnaround”—this often means cutting corners on quality (Par exemple, skipping vacuum degassing).
Use the table below to compare average pricing for a standard part (100x100x20mm) in Portugal vs. other regions:
| Région | Master Model Cost (€) | Silicone Mold Cost (€) | Coût par pièce (€) | Total for 50 Parties (€) |
| Portugal | 150–250 | 300–500 | 8–12 | 750–1,150 |
| Allemagne | 200–300 | 400–600 | 12–16 | 1,000–1 500 |
| Chine | 80–150 | 200–350 | 5–8 | 530–850 |
Note: While China is cheaper, Portugal offers faster shipping (2–3 days vs. 2–4 semaines) and easier communication (time zone alignment with Europe).
4. Certifications de qualité
Pour les industries réglementées (médical, automobile), choose a supplier with relevant certifications:
- OIN 9001: For general quality management.
- OIN 13485: For medical device manufacturing.
- IATF 16949: Pour les pièces automobiles.
These certifications ensure the supplier follows strict processes and can provide documentation (Par exemple, certificats de matériel) for your parts.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Vacuum Casting Portugal
À la technologie Yigu, we’ve collaborated with multiple vacuum casting partners in Portugal and see clear advantages for European manufacturers. Portugal’s blend of technical precision, temps de plomb rapide, and proximity to key markets addresses two major pain points we hear from clients: long shipping delays from Asia and high costs in Northern Europe. What stands out most is the local focus on quality—Portuguese facilities invest in advanced equipment and trained staff to avoid the common pitfalls of vacuum casting (Par exemple, bulles d'air, inconsistent part dimensions). For businesses prioritizing speed-to-market and reliable quality, vacuum casting Portugal is a smart alternative to both Asian suppliers (where communication and lead times can be unpredictable) and domestic Northern European providers (where costs are prohibitive for small batches). We recommend it for prototyping, production à faible volume, and even limited-edition products—especially in automotive, médical, et les secteurs de l'électronique.
FAQ About Vacuum Casting Portugal
1. What’s the maximum number of parts I can produce with one silicone mold in Portugal?
Most silicone molds in Portugal last 20–50 parts, depending on the resin type. Résines rigides (Par exemple, Abdominal) are less abrasive and may yield 50+ parties, while flexible resins (Par exemple, TPU-like) can wear down molds faster (20–30 parts).
2. Can Portuguese vacuum casting facilities handle large parts?
Oui, but size limits vary. Most shops can handle parts up to 500x500x300mm. Pour des pièces plus grandes (Par exemple, pare-chocs automobiles), some facilities offer custom mold boxes—just ask about their maximum capacity upfront.
3. Are parts from Portuguese vacuum casting suppliers compliant with EU regulations?
Absolument. Reputable suppliers comply with EU standards like REACH (for chemicals), MDR (pour les dispositifs médicaux), and RoHS (pour l'électronique). They can provide material safety data sheets (MSD) and certification documents upon request.
4. How do I send my CAD files to a Portuguese vacuum casting partner?
Most suppliers accept common CAD formats (ÉTAPE, Igies, STL). Pour de meilleurs résultats, include details like material preferences, exigences de tolérance, et besoins en post-traitement (Par exemple, peinture, inserts) in your file notes.
5. Can I get a sample part before placing a full order?
Yes—most Portuguese suppliers offer sample parts (1–2 pieces) pour une somme modique. This is a great way to test quality, ajuster, and finish before committing to a larger batch.