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Vacuum Casting

Get reliable vacuum casting services for high-quality prototypes and production parts at competitive prices. XinCheng offers highly detailed casting parts with consistent quality.

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What is Vacuum Casting?

Vacuum casting, also known as urethane casting, is indeed a manufacturing technique used to create high-quality, small-batch plastic or rubber parts. This process involves pouring liquid casting material, typically a two-part polyurethane resin, into a mold within a vacuum chamber.

The vacuum is applied to remove air bubbles and ensure proper material flow, resulting in parts with minimal defects and an excellent surface finish. In addition, material choice, part geometry, and master model usually determine the final effect of the cast parts.

How Does Urethane Casting Work?

The vacuum casting process is straightforward and in three main steps. Trust our professional engineers and technicians to handle your project well.
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Making the Master Model

The master model is 3D solids of the CAD design, and its quality usually decides the casting urethane part’s quality. We use CNC machining to make a quality master pattern for tighter tolerance, optical clarity, and a glossy finish. Moreover, we can also use SLA for the master model when dealing with parts with complex designs and structures.

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Silicone Mold Making

We create our silicone casting molds from liquid silicone (RTV molds). The silicone rubber possesses excellent chemical stability, flexibility, and self-releasing properties that allow the imitation of fine details from the master and minimal shrinkage. Depending on the part’s size, it takes 12-24 hours to complete the curing in an oven at 40 degrees Celsius. Once the silicone dries, we cut open the mold to extract the master model while we have an empty space: the original’s negative shape.

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Create Vacuum Casting Parts

We can easily create and replicate cast parts with exact mechanical features using our standard operational technique at XinCheng. We have expert urethane casting technicians that oversee the working framework, including mixing, degassing, stirring, preheating, casting, and demolding. You can be sure of a seamless operation and creation of impeccable copies of the master model.

Why Choose Vacuum Casting with XinCheng?

provides rapid prototyping and precision parts using advanced CNC technology, ensuring exceptional quality and precision. Trust Vacuum Casting to meet your exacting standards.

Strong Manufacturing Capabilities

In our facility, you have a variety of machines for part production, including CNC turning lathes, milling machines, injection molding equipment, state-of-the-art 3D printing technology, and more.

Flexible Material Selection

At XinCheng, we try to ensure your choice is not limited, which is why we offer over 60 materials for you to choose from for your prototypes and products.

24/7 Engineering Support

In-depth service engineers with the knowledge to address your manufacturing inquiries are available from XinCheng. Our engineers are always on the ground to offer valuable advice.

Choice of Custom Finishes

We offer a range of surface treatments and custom finishes on solid metal and plastic parts, including anodizing, spray painting, vapor polishing, sandblasting, silk screening, etc.

Gallery of Vacuum Casting parts

This gallery showcases the exceptional quality and attention to detail we deliver in every project. From complex designs to flawless finishes, each image reflects our commitment to excellence in Vacuum Casting .
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Materials for Vacuum Casting Parts

Leading companies and engineers rely on XC Machining for rapid iterations and durable, high-quality parts. Whether it’s for prototyping or full-scale production, our wide range of materials ensures we meet the unique requirements of any Vacuum Casting project with precision and speed.

We use high-quality vacuum casting material at XinCheng. Although polyurethane is the only available material for vacuum casting. There are good ones and bad ones out in the market. At XinCheng, we always choose good materials made by good material supplier.

Polyurethane has many kinds. There are materials similar to PMMA, PC, ABS, Nylon, and more. XinCheng is here to help you choose the best one for your each project.

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Surface finishes for Vacuum Casting

We offer finishing services for Vacuum Casting, providing a wide range of finishing options to enhance both the durability and appearance of your parts. Whether it’s for prototyping or full-scale production, our finishing solutions ensure that your parts meet the highest standards of performance and visual appeal for all needs.

Brushing is a technique that utilizes abrasive pads or brushes to add a finish to the surface of a material. It is commonly used on metal surfaces to enhance their visual appeal. This method is especially effective on stainless steel, creating either a linear or circular pattern on the surface.

Black oxide coating is a popular choice for enhancing the surface of steel and iron. This finish not only provides a visually appealing dark surface, but also offers excellent wear resistance. Additionally, the black oxide coating can enhance the lubricity and durability of the treated surface, making it an ideal option for various applications.

Passivation is a common process used to enhance the corrosion resistance of stainless steel by removing iron impurities and forming a protective oxide layer. This helps to improve the durability and performance of stainless steel in tough environments.

Paint serves as a surface coating that is effective on a wide range of materials, offering both aesthetic enhancement and protection against corrosion. It is available in numerous color options, making it suitable for application on metals, polymers, wood, and various other substrates.

Enhance the shine and smoothness of your materials by utilizing polishing techniques. By using abrasives such as buffing wheels or polishing chemicals, you can elevate the reflectivity and overall aesthetic of metals, resulting in a stunning mirror-like finish.

Alodine coating, also known as chromate conversion coating, is widely used on metals like aluminum. It serves as an excellent primer for paint or powder coatings, providing a durable and corrosion-resistant finish. By creating a thin layer of protection, it enhances the bond between subsequent coatings, ensuring long-lasting results.

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Specialist industries

Having produced millions of parts, XC Machining holds deep knowledge in numerous applications. We excel particularly in industries requiring precise and intricate component fabrication. Trust us to deliver expertise and quality, no matter the complexity.

XC Machining supports the automotive industry with cutting-edge CNC machining solutions, enabling the production of complex parts that drive efficiency

For the semiconductor industry, XC Machining offers CNC machining services that meet the high precision demands necessary for manufacturing components

Our CNC machining services are pivotal in the energy sector, where precision and durability are essential. XC Machining supports the

XC Machining is a trusted partner in the industrial machinery sector, offering CNC machining solutions that ensure the robust and

XC Machining delivers precision machining solutions for the electronics industry, producing intricate components that meet the exacting standards required for

XC Machining offers specialized CNC machining services for the communications industry, crafting precision parts that are vital for the infrastructure

Our Vacuum Casting service capabilities

As a leader in precision manufacturing, we offer a wide range of capabilities that cater to both one-off prototyping and low-volume production. We specialize in delivering geometrically complex and highly cosmetic parts, ensuring the highest quality standards. At MXY Machining, we pride ourselves on being the go-to manufacturer for all your Vacuum Casting needs, providing reliable and efficient solutions under one roof.

On-Demand Parts Delivered Fast with 4 Simple Steps

XinCheng develops rapid prototypes and parts with efficient manufacturing expertise and advanced equipment. We are a reliable on-demand production company and ensure our products meet exacting tolerance specifications and quality standards.

Step 1:

Upload the Design File

This is the first step in the manufacturing process. Here, you upload your 3D CAD to our backend. This file could be STEP, STP, STL, OBJ, X_T, SAT, IGS, IGES, or SLDPRT file types.
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Step 2:

DFM Analysis

After uploading your design, our project managers will provide your feedback in the form of a real-time quotation. Additionally, you will get a quote and DFM analysis within a few hours.
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Step 3:

Quote Confirmation and Manufacturing

As soon as you agree to our quote, our team will start working with you to bring your ideas to life. Additionally, we would provide you with a variety of surface finishing options.
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Step 4:

Part Shipment

This is the final step in the production cycle; delivery. We produce your prototypes and parts within a few days. After part production, we deliver them directly to your doorstep.
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Vacuum Casting Design Tips

Vacuum casting might sound like a fancy term, but it’s actually a super handy method for creating high-quality, detailed parts without the high costs or long waits of traditional manufacturing. This process uses a vacuum to pull liquid material into a mold, allowing it to form detailed shapes and designs. Whether it’s used for creating prototypes or limited production runs, vacuum casting is known for delivering precise, affordable parts quickly. Let’s dive into the key advantages of casting and see why it’s so popular among designers and manufacturers.

Vacuum Casting—Perfect for Creating Detailed Parts

One of the biggest perks of vacuum casting is how well it captures detail. The vacuum helps pull material into every corner of the mold, so even the smallest designs come out clear and sharp. For instance, if you need tiny features or intricate patterns, vacuum casting delivers them with precision.

Detail Matters:

  • Captures complex shapes and fine details
  • Perfect for creating realistic prototypes
  • Reduces the need for additional finishing

So, vacuum is ideal for projects where every little detail matters, making it popular for industries like electronics and automotive.

Fast Production Turnaround

Vacuum casting is known for being fast, especially compared to other methods like injection molding. Since it doesn’t require extensive setup, you can get your parts quickly, sometimes in just a few days. This quick turnaround is helpful for companies that need to test designs right away or produce small batches on short notice.

Speed Benefits of Vacuum Casting:

  • Allows for rapid prototyping, helping projects stay on schedule
  • Keeps up with tight production timelines
  • Perfect for companies needing quick, flexible options

As a result, vacuum casting provides the speed manufacturers need to keep projects moving and meet customer demands.

Great for Prototyping and Low-Volume Production

Vacuum casting is excellent for small production runs and prototypes. Because it’s affordable and doesn’t require expensive molds, it’s a practical choice for testing ideas without committing to large-scale production. This flexibility is especially useful for startups or businesses that need to try out multiple versions before choosing a final design.

Benefits for Prototyping and Low Volumes:

  • Saves money by using low-cost molds
  • Perfect for small batches without big investments
  • Allows for easy testing of different versions

Therefore, vacuum casting is a smart choice for companies that want to experiment and create small quantities without huge upfront costs.

Supports a Variety of Materials

One great thing about vacuum casting is that it works with a range of materials. Whether you need flexible rubber-like parts or sturdy, rigid pieces, casting can handle it. This versatility makes it easy to match materials to the needs of the project, from soft prototypes to durable parts.

Material Options in Vacuum Casting:

  • Flexible options for soft prototypes
  • Rigid plastics for strong, stable parts
  • Transparent materials for design clarity

Thus, vacuum casting gives manufacturers the freedom to choose materials that work best for each project, making it a flexible choice for diverse needs.

Provides Cost-Effective Production

Vacuum casting is budget-friendly, especially for smaller runs. Because it uses soft silicone molds instead of expensive steel molds, production costs drop significantly. Companies could save up to 40% on production costs by opting for casting instead of traditional methods, which makes it ideal for those looking to keep expenses low.

Cost-Effective Benefits:

  • Uses affordable silicone molds
  • Reduces initial setup costs
  • Saves money on small production runs

In short, vacuum casting is a practical option for budget-conscious projects, offering quality results without a high price tag.

Easy to Make Changes

Vacuum casting is flexible when it comes to design changes. If you need to tweak a design, creating a new silicone mold is quick and easy, allowing for rapid adjustments. This makes vacuum cast ideal for projects in the testing phase, where changes might be frequent.

Advantages of Design Flexibility:

  • Allows quick tweaks to molds and designs
  • Reduces waiting time for updated parts
  • Makes testing different designs affordable

Therefore, vacuum casting helps teams stay flexible, supporting quick adjustments without slowing down production.

Produces Parts with Smooth Finishes

Vacuum casting produces parts with smooth, even surfaces that often don’t need additional finishing. This quality is especially useful in industries where appearance matters, like consumer electronics or automotive. With vacuum cast you get parts that look polished right from the mold.

Smooth Finish Benefits:

  • Creates polished, professional-looking parts
  • Reduces time and money spent on finishing
  • Perfect for products where appearance matters

As a result, vacuum cast delivers high-quality parts that are ready for use without additional steps, saving time and costs on finishing.

Suitable for Complex Geometries

Vacuum casting shines when it comes to creating complex shapes and geometries. Since the material is pulled into every part of the mold by the vacuum, even difficult shapes come out accurately. This makes it ideal for creating parts with intricate designs or challenging angles.

Benefits for Complex Shapes:

  • Handles intricate and challenging designs easily
  • Creates accurate parts with complex geometries
  • Reduces the need for post-production modifications

Therefore, vacuum cast is a reliable option for manufacturers working on projects with complex shapes and detailed designs.

Vacuum casting offers many advantages, from cost savings and speed to high-quality finishes and flexible design options. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, affordable way to create high-quality prototypes or low-volume production parts, casting might be just what you need.

Are you ready to take advantage of this practical manufacturing process?

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Bring Your Designs to Life with XC Machining

Experience precision engineering with XC Machining. From detailed prototypes to high-volume production, we’re here to turn your concepts into reality. Contact us today to discuss your project needs!

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