Vacuum Casting China: A Complete Guide for High-Quality Prototyping & Низкое объем производства

If you’re searching for “Vacuum Casting China,” you’re likely a product developer, инженер, or business owner needing high-quality prototypes or low-volume production parts—without the high cost of injection molding tooling. The core question most people have is: Why choose vacuum casting in China, and how do you ensure you get reliable results?

Проще говоря, China’s vacuum casting industry combines advanced technology, экономическая эффективность, and fast turnaround times that are hard to match elsewhere. Нужно ли вам 10 или 500 части, Chinese manufacturers can produce accurate, detailed components using a range of materials (from ABS to silicone) that mimic final production parts. В этом руководстве, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from how vacuum casting works in China to how to select the right supplier and avoid common pitfalls.

What Is Vacuum Casting, and Why Is China a Leader in This Field?

Первый, Давайте проясним основы: Вакуумный кастинг (также называется уретановым литьем) is a low-cost manufacturing process used to create high-fidelity prototypes or low-volume production parts. Он использует основную модель (often 3D-printed from resin) to make a silicone mold, then pours liquid polyurethane or other resins into the mold under vacuum to eliminate air bubbles. Результат? Parts with fine details, плавные поверхности, and material properties that closely match plastics like ABS, ПК, or even rubber.

Так, why China? В прошлом 15 годы, China has invested heavily in prototyping technologies, making it a global hub for vacuum casting. Вот почему это выделяется:

• Экономическая эффективность: Labor and material costs in China are 30-50% lower than in North America or Europe for the same quality. Например, a silicone mold for 50-100 parts might cost $300-$800 в Китае, по сравнению с $800-$1,500 in the U.S.
• Скорость: Most Chinese manufacturers offer 5-10 day turnaround times for small batches (10-50 части), versus 2-3 weeks in Western countries.
• Scale and Expertise: China has thousands of specialized prototyping factories (concentrated in regions like Shenzhen, Гуанчжоу, and Shanghai) with teams experienced in serving global clients. Many have ISO 9001 certifications and use advanced equipment like CNC trimming machines and precision vacuum chambers.

Реальный пример случая: A U.S.-based startup needed 20 prototype enclosures for a new smart thermostat. They initially quoted a U.S. поставщик $2,500 for a 3-week lead time. By switching to a Chinese vacuum casting provider, they paid $1,200 and received the parts in 7 days—with identical dimensional accuracy (± 0,1 мм) and a matte finish that matched their design specs.

How Does the Vacuum Casting Process Work in Chinese Factories?

Understanding the process helps you communicate with suppliers and set realistic expectations. Chinese factories follow a standardized 6-step workflow, but many offer customizations (like post-processing) to meet specific needs:

Шаг 1: Create the Master Model

The process starts with a master model, usually 3D-printed usingСЛА (Стереолитмикромография) илиСЛС (Селективное лазерное спекание) смола. Chinese manufacturers often use high-resolution SLA printers (50-100 Микроны) to ensure fine details (like logos or small holes) transfer to the final parts. Например, a master model for a phone case would take 1-2 days to print and cure.

Шаг 2: Build the Silicone Mold

Мастер -модель помещается в раму пресс -формы, and liquid silicone (обычноПлатиновый силикон для долговечности) Облится вокруг него. The frame is then placed in a vacuum chamber to remove air bubbles—critical for avoiding defects. Силикон лечит при комнатной температуре (or in an oven for faster results) для 8-12 часы. A single silicone mold can produce 20-50 части (depending on material and complexity) before it wears out.

Шаг 3: Prepare the Casting Resin

Suppliers select a polyurethane resin that matches your desired material properties. Common options in China include:

• Абсоподобная смола: For rigid parts (НАПРИМЕР., корпусы) с хорошей ударной стойкостью.
• PC-like resin: For heat-resistant parts (НАПРИМЕР., Автомобильные компоненты).
• Силиконовая смола: Для гибких частей (НАПРИМЕР., gaskets or grips).
• Transparent resin: For parts like lenses or display covers.

Смолы смешиваются с отвердителями. (соотношение зависит от материала) и при необходимости окрашивается пигментами..

Шаг 4: Вакуумный кастинг

Жидкая смола заливается в силиконовую форму., который затем помещается обратно в вакуумную камеру (обычно -0.095 МПА давление) для 5-10 минуты. Это удаляет пузырьки воздуха, которые могут вызвать дыры или дефекты поверхности.. Затем плесень отверждается — либо при комнатной температуре, либо при комнатной температуре. (24 часы) или в духовке (2-4 часы при 60 ° C.) для более быстрого производства.

Шаг 5: Demold and Trim

После вылечения, деталь аккуратно вынимается из силиконовой формы. Избыток смолы (называется «Flash») обрезается с помощью станков с ЧПУ или ручных инструментов. Китайские фабрики часто используют автоматическую обрезку для обеспечения единообразия., especially for batches over 50 части.

Шаг 6: Пост-обработка

Most suppliers offer post-processing to improve part quality, включая:

• Шлифование или полировка (Для гладких поверхностей).
• Рисование (spray or dip coating) to match Pantone colors.
• Обработка с ЧПУ (for precise holes or threads).
• Сборка (gluing or fastening multiple parts).

Для чаевого: Ask your supplier for a “process timeline” upfront. A reputable Chinese factory will share a day-by-day breakdown (НАПРИМЕР., Day 1-2: Master model; Day 3-4: Silicone mold; Day 5-6: Кастинг; Day 7: Пост-обработка) to keep you updated.

Key Materials Used in Chinese Vacuum Casting: Какой из них подходит вам?

Choosing the right material is critical—your part’s performance depends on it. Chinese suppliers offer a wide range of resins, каждый с уникальными свойствами. Below is a comparison table to help you decide:

Expert Insight: For parts that need to withstand temperature changes (НАПРИМЕР., Автомобильные датчики), choose a PC-like resin with a glass transition temperature (Тг) above 120°C. Most Chinese suppliers can provide material data sheets (МДС) to verify compliance with industry standards (like RoHS or FDA for medical parts).

How to Choose a Reliable Vacuum Casting Supplier in China (5 Critical Steps)

Not all Chinese vacuum casting factories are the same. Чтобы избежать задержек, poor quality, or miscommunication, follow these steps:

Шаг 1: Verify Their Experience and Certifications

Look for suppliers with at least 5 years of experience and certifications likeIso 9001 (Управление качеством) илиIso 13485 (if you need medical parts). Ask for case studies or references from clients in your industry (НАПРИМЕР., Автомобиль, Электроника). Например, a supplier that works with Tesla or Apple is likely more reliable than a new factory.

Шаг 2: Check Their Equipment and Quality Control (КК) Процесс

Reputable factories use advanced equipment:

• High-resolution SLA printers (НАПРИМЕР., Формал Форма 3+ or Chinese brands like UnionTech).
• Digital vacuum chambers with pressure monitoring.
• CNC trimming machines for precision.

They should also have a strict QC process:

• Dimensional testing using calipers or 3D scanners (Точность ± 0,05 мм).
• Visual inspections for surface defects (Нет пузырьков, царапины, or uneven coloring).
• Материальное тестирование (НАПРИМЕР., impact resistance or heat tolerance) для критических частей.

Red Flag: If a supplier can’t share photos of their factory or QC process, avoid them—they may be a middleman (not a direct manufacturer) and lack control over quality.

Шаг 3: Evaluate Communication and English Support

Miscommunication is a common issue when working with Chinese suppliers. Choose a factory with English-speaking project managers who respond to emails within 24 часы. They should ask detailed questions about your project (НАПРИМЕР., “What is the part’s intended use?” or “Do you need RoHS compliance?») instead of just giving a generic quote.

Шаг 4: Request a Sample Before Full Production

Never place a large order without first getting a sample. Most Chinese suppliers charge $50-$200 for a sample (refundable if you proceed with production). Use the sample to check:

• Точность размеров (compare to your 3D model).
• Material feel (does it match your desired rigidity/flexibility?).
• Поверхностная отделка (no flash, гладкие края).

Реальный пример случая: A European robotics company ordered 100 vacuum-cast gripper parts from a Chinese supplier. They first received a sample that had a rough surface—so they requested the supplier adjust the sanding process. The final batch met their standards, and they avoided a costly mistake.

Шаг 5: Compare Pricing and Lead Times (But Don’t Choose the Cheapest Option)

Prices vary by part size, сложность, и материал. Маленький, простая часть (НАПРИМЕР., пластиковый кронштейн 5 см.) might cost $3-$8 per unit for a 50-piece batch, в то время как большой, сложная часть (НАПРИМЕР., a 30cm automotive housing) может стоить $20-$50 за единицу.

Avoid suppliers with prices 30% lower than the market average—they may cut corners (НАПРИМЕР., using low-quality silicone molds that only produce 10 части вместо 50). Balance cost with lead time: most reliable suppliers offer 5-12 day lead times for batches of 10-500 части.

Common Challenges When Using Vacuum Casting in China (and How to Solve Them)

Even with a good supplier, you may face challenges. Here are the most common issues and solutions:

Испытание 1: Long Shipping Times

Parts from China to North America or Europe take 7-14 days by air (дорого) или 30-40 days by sea (медленный). Решение: Ask your supplier to use a trusted logistics partner (like DHL or FedEx) with door-to-door service. Для срочных проектов, choose a supplier near a major port (НАПРИМЕР., Shenzhen or Shanghai) to reduce transit time.

Испытание 2: Material Mismatches

Иногда, the final part’s material doesn’t match your expectations (НАПРИМЕР., it’s too flexible). Решение: Provide a physical sample of your desired material (if you have one) or specify exact properties (НАПРИМЕР., “Shore D 80 hardness” for rigid parts). Ask for a material swatch before production.

Испытание 3: Размерные ошибки

If the master model is not printed correctly, the final parts will be inaccurate.Решение: Share your 3D model in STEP or STL format (with clear tolerances, НАПРИМЕР., ± 0,1 мм). Ask the supplier to send a 3D scan of the master model for approval before making the silicone mold.

Испытание 4: Language Barriers

Technical details (like post-processing) can get lost in translation.Решение: Use simple, specific language (НАПРИМЕР., “Paint the part Pantone 2945C, matte finish” instead of “Make it blue”). Use diagrams or photos to illustrate your requirements.

Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Vacuum Casting in China

В Yigu Technology, we’ve worked with over 500 global clients on vacuum casting projects—from startups to Fortune 500 Компании. По нашему опыту, China’s vacuum casting industry excels at balancing quality, скорость, and cost—but success depends on choosing the right partner.

We recommend clients prioritize suppliers with in-house 3D printing and QC teams, as this reduces lead times and ensures consistency. Например, we recently helped a medical device company produce 200 FDA-compliant vacuum-cast parts in 9 days—by using FDA-approved resins and conducting 100% Размерное тестирование.

Another key trend we’re seeing: more clients are combining vacuum casting with other processes (Как обработка ЧПУ) to create hybrid parts that are both high-quality and cost-effective. Для небольших партий (10-500 части), vacuum casting in China remains the most practical option for most businesses—especially when time and budget are tight.

FAQ About Vacuum Casting China

1. Какое минимальное количество заказа (Могил) for vacuum casting in China?

Most suppliers have no strict MOQ—you can order as few as 1 часть. Однако, the cost per unit decreases with larger batches (НАПРИМЕР., $15 за часть для 10 units vs. $8 за часть для 100 единицы).

2. Can Chinese suppliers make vacuum-cast parts that meet industry standards (like RoHS or FDA)?

Да. Many factories offer RoHS-compliant resins, and some (with ISO 13485 сертификация) provide FDA-approved resins for medical parts. Always ask for certification documents to verify compliance.

3. How long does it take to get vacuum-cast parts from China?

For a standard order (10-50 части, Простой дизайн), the total time (производство + перевозки) является 10-20 дни: 5-10 days for production and 5-10 days for air shipping. Sea shipping adds 2-3 weeks but is cheaper for large batches.

4. What if I’m not satisfied with the final parts?

Reputable suppliers offer a rework or refund guarantee. Before placing an order, confirm their return policy—e.g., “We will re-produce parts for free if they don’t meet your specifications.”

5. Is vacuum casting in China suitable for final production parts, или просто прототипы?

It’s ideal for low-volume final production (до 500 части). For larger batches (1,000+), injection molding becomes more cost-effective—but vacuum casting is a great way to test market demand before investing in expensive injection molds.