Our Prototype Vacuum Casting Services
At Yigu Technology, our Prototype Vacuum Casting services blend cutting-edge technology with flexible manufacturing to deliver high-quality prototypes quickly and cost-effectively. Whether you need small-batch parts or complex designs, our expertise in vacuum casting processes and premium materials ensures precision, consistency, and seamless surface finishes—perfect for accelerating your product development cycle.
What is Prototype Vacuum Casting?
Prototype Vacuum Casting is a low-volume manufacturing technique designed to produce high-fidelity plastic prototypes or small-batch parts using a silicone mold and vacuum pressure. Unlike traditional injection molding (which requires expensive metal tooling), this process leverages flexible silicone molds to replicate intricate details, making it ideal for product testing, market validation, or pre-production runs.
Key Components of the Technology
| Component | Role |
| Master Pattern | A 3D-printed or CNC-machined model used to create the silicone mold. |
| Silicone Mold | Flexible mold that captures fine details of the master pattern. |
| Vacuum Chamber | Removes air bubbles from the mold to ensure smooth, bubble-free parts. |
| Casting Resins/Plastics | Materials poured into the mold to form the final prototype. |
The core technology focuses on minimizing defects (e.g., air pockets) through vacuum pressure, ensuring prototypes match the original design’s dimensions and surface quality—critical for early-stage product development.
Yigu Technology’s Prototype Vacuum Casting Capabilities & Services
At Yigu, we tailor our vacuum casting and prototyping services to meet diverse industry needs, from automotive and electronics to medical devices and consumer goods. Our capabilities are built on flexibility, speed, and precision, ensuring we deliver solutions that align with your project goals.
Our Core Capabilities
| Capability | Details |
| Part Size Range | From small components (10mm) to large parts (up to 1000mm in length). |
| Batch Volume | 1–500 parts per mold (silicone molds typically last 20–50 cycles). |
| Lead Time | 3–7 days (from master pattern approval to prototype delivery). |
| Material Compatibility | Works with a wide range of resins, including ABS-like, PC-like, and flexible TPU. |
Our manufacturing services also include post-casting support, such as surface treatment and quality inspection, to ensure every prototype meets your specifications. Whether you need a single test part or a small production run, we streamline the process to reduce delays and costs.
The Prototype Vacuum Casting Process: Steps & Workflow
The vacuum casting process follows a structured workflow to ensure consistency and quality. Each step is optimized to capture design details and minimize errors, making it a reliable choice for prototype production.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Master Pattern Creation: First, we create a high-precision master pattern using 3D printing (e.g., SLA, FDM) or CNC machining. This pattern must match your final design’s dimensions and surface finish.
- Silicone Mold Making: The master pattern is placed in a mold box, and liquid silicone is poured around it. The silicone cures (usually 4–24 hours) to form a flexible mold, which is then cut open to remove the pattern.
- Vacuum Casting: The silicone mold is placed in a vacuum chamber. Liquid resin or plastic is poured into the mold, and the vacuum removes air bubbles. The material cures (via heat or UV light) to form the prototype.
- Demolding & Finishing: Once cured, the prototype is removed from the mold. We then perform surface treatment (e.g., polishing, coating) to refine the part’s appearance and functionality.
Workflow Timeline
| Stage | Typical Duration | Key Activity |
| Master Pattern | 1–2 days | Design finalization and 3D printing/CNC machining |
| Silicone Mold Making | 1–2 days | Silicone pouring, curing, and mold preparation |
| Casting & Curing | 1–3 days | Vacuum casting, material curing, and demolding |
| Finishing & QA | 0.5–1 day | Surface treatment and quality control checks |
Materials for Prototype Vacuum Casting
Choosing the right vacuum casting materials is critical to ensuring your prototype performs like the final product. Yigu Technology offers a wide selection of resins and plastics, each tailored to specific mechanical properties (e.g., flexibility, heat resistance) and applications.
Common Vacuum Casting Materials
| Material Type | Key Properties | Ideal Applications |
| ABS-Like Resin | High impact resistance, rigid, good machinability | Automotive parts, electronics enclosures |
| PC-Like Resin | Heat resistance, transparency, high strength | Medical devices, lighting components |
| TPU Resin | Flexible, durable, chemical resistance | Gaskets, seals, soft-touch components |
| Silicone Rubber | Extreme flexibility, temperature resistance | Prototypes for gaskets or medical tools |
We also offer custom material blends to match unique requirements, such as flame retardancy or food-grade compliance. Our team works with you to select the best material for your prototype’s intended use.
Surface Treatment & Finishing for Vacuum Casting Prototypes
Surface treatment is a critical step in prototype vacuum casting, as it enhances both the appearance and functionality of the part. Yigu Technology provides a range of finishing options to match your desired look and performance.
Popular Surface Finishing Techniques
| Technique | Result | Use Case Example |
| Polishing | Smooth, glossy surface (removes mold lines) | Consumer electronics, display parts |
| Coating | Protective layer (e.g., UV resistance, anti-scratch) | Outdoor equipment, medical devices |
| Texturing | Matte or patterned surface (hides fingerprints) | Automotive interiors, handheld devices |
| Painting | Custom colors or branding (matches final product) | Marketing prototypes, consumer goods |
Each finishing method is applied with precision to ensure consistency across all parts, even for small-batch orders.
Tolerances, Precision, and Quality Control
Tolerances and precision are non-negotiable in prototype vacuum casting—especially for parts that need to fit with other components or meet industry standards. Yigu Technology adheres to strict quality control processes to ensure every prototype meets your dimensional requirements.
Tolerance Ranges & Quality Standards
| Aspect | Specification | Quality Control Method |
| Dimensional Tolerance | ±0.1mm for parts <100mm; ±0.1% for parts >100mm | 3D scanning and coordinate measuring machines (CMM) |
| Surface Roughness | Ra 0.8–1.6μm (polished finish) | Surface profilometer testing |
| Bubble Defects | <1 bubble per 100cm² (no visible bubbles on critical surfaces) | Visual inspection and vacuum chamber pressure monitoring |
Our quality control team checks each prototype against your design files (e.g., CAD models) to ensure accuracy, and we provide detailed inspection reports for transparency.
Advantages of Prototype Vacuum Casting
Prototype Vacuum Casting offers numerous benefits over other prototyping methods (e.g., 3D printing, injection molding), making it a top choice for product developers.
Key Advantages & Benefits
| Advantage | Benefit to Your Project |
| Cost-Effective | No expensive metal tooling—ideal for low-volume runs. |
| High-Quality | Replicates intricate details and smooth surfaces. |
| Rapid Prototyping | Faster lead times than injection molding (3–7 days vs. 2–4 weeks). |
| Material Flexibility | Works with resins that mimic final production materials. |
| Design Flexibility | Easy to modify master patterns for design iterations. |
For example, a startup developing a new consumer electronic device can use vacuum casting to test 10–20 prototypes in 5 days, compared to waiting weeks for injection molding tooling—saving time and money during early development.
Applications & Industries for Prototype Vacuum Casting
Prototype Vacuum Casting is used across a wide range of industries and markets, thanks to its versatility and ability to produce high-quality parts quickly.
Industry-Specific Applications
| Industry | Common Applications |
| Automotive | Dashboard components, sensor housings, prototype parts for testing |
| Electronics | Phone cases, charging docks, circuit board enclosures |
| Medical Devices | Surgical tool prototypes, diagnostic equipment housings (using biocompatible resins) |
| Consumer Goods | Toy prototypes, kitchenware, cosmetic packaging |
| Aerospace | Small interior components, lightweight part prototypes |
The process is particularly valuable for industries where speed-to-market and prototype realism are critical, such as consumer electronics and medical device development.
Manufacturing Techniques: How Vacuum Casting Compares
While manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and injection molding are widely used, vacuum casting fills a unique niche for low-volume, high-fidelity prototypes.
Comparison of Manufacturing Techniques
| Technique | Volume Range | Lead Time | Cost (Low-Volume) | Detail Fidelity |
| Vacuum Casting | 1–500 parts | 3–7 days | Moderate | High (captures fine details) |
| 3D Printing (SLA) | 1–100 parts | 1–3 days | Low | Medium (layer lines may be visible) |
| Injection Molding | 1,000+ parts | 2–4 weeks | High (tooling cost) | High |
For most prototype and small-batch needs, vacuum casting offers the best balance of speed, cost, and quality—making it a preferred method for product developers.
Case Studies: Success Stories with Yigu Technology
Our case studies demonstrate how vacuum casting has helped clients accelerate product development and achieve their goals.
Case Study 1: Automotive Sensor Prototype
A leading automotive supplier needed 20 prototypes of a new sensor housing to test fit and functionality. Using our vacuum casting service:
- We created a master pattern via CNC machining (1 day).
- Produced a silicone mold and cast 20 parts using ABS-like resin (3 days).
- Applied a textured surface finish to match the final production part.
- Result: The client tested the prototypes in 5 days (vs. 3 weeks for injection molding) and identified a design flaw early—saving $10,000 in potential rework.
Case Study 2: Medical Device Enclosure
A medical startup required 50 biocompatible prototypes of a diagnostic device housing. We used a PC-like resin (compliant with ISO 10993) and:
- Delivered prototypes in 7 days.
- Ensured dimensional accuracy (±0.05mm) for compatibility with internal components.
- Provided a smooth, easy-to-clean surface finish.
Result: The startup used the prototypes for clinical testing and secured FDA approval 3 months faster than planned.
Why Choose Us for Prototype Vacuum Casting?
When you partner with Yigu Technology, you benefit from our expertise, flexibility, and commitment to quality. Here’s why clients choose us:
- Expertise: Our team has 10+ years of experience in vacuum casting and prototyping, with a deep understanding of material science and process optimization.
- Speed: We deliver prototypes in 3–7 days—faster than many competitors—without compromising quality.
- Customization: We tailor services to your needs, from material selection to surface treatment, ensuring your prototype matches your vision.
- Quality Assurance: Strict quality control processes (including 3D scanning and CMM testing) guarantee precision and consistency.
Cost-Effectiveness: No upfront tooling costs mean you save money on low-volume runs—critical for startups and small businesses.