The 3D printing industry is evolving very significantly and new printing methods are being created year by year. Several modern concepts, such as vacuum casting, have been developed to improve this new printing process. Several companies provide vacuum casting facilities to provide customers around the world with outstanding benefits. So, what is vacuum casting, and what are its advantages and applications?
What is a vacuum casting process?
The process is a creative approach for developing industrial parts prototypes where a high quality master model is designed to create further prototypes. The model is constructed using stereolithography in which the case of the model is formed. The master model should be of good quality and without defects, so that any prototype created by it is of high quality.
A nutshell made of silicon rubber that is treated at a high temperature is inserted into the mould.The master mould is formed after the procedure, which is hollow from the middle. The mould would be packed with liquid material and uses a vacuum chamber to get the comparable form of the master model. As a filling material for prototyping purposes, polyurethane resins such as polycarbonate and polyethylene are used. In order to meet the desired properties, the metallic powder is mixed with the filled resin. Within the chamber, the mould is shielded so that no air bubbles are produced and the mould is placed in an oven. The mould is carefully taken out and reused to create further pieces. The concept is then painted according to the need, ready to serve the customers with a finished product.
Benefits of vacuum casting process:
Investment casting or vacuum casting has many benefits for industries making prototypes. Any of them are here:
1.Quality
This process enables you to choose the correct material needed to design the desired product according to its hardness. Due to the use of polyurethane resins, this is likely. It provides the material with flexibility and hardness. It is possible to paint the final product either in the desired colour or to leave it plain, giving it a crystal look.
2.High accuracy
The mould used to generate the prototype generates components identical to the original sample. Using the vacuum casting service, even complex components with traditional geometries can easily be made. Moreover, with high accuracy, it provides the final result.
3.Prices and deadlines
The approach requires cost-effective development where it is possible to create more prototype failure expenditure. Thus, this process is more useful and valuable than any other technology for printing. In less than 15 days, about 30 to 50 prototype parts can be produced, which is more helpful during immediate needs.
Therefore, the a vacuum casting service is suitable for exploring the market for the sample of the finished goods, for aesthetic and technical evaluation and for first commercialization.
Ideal applications for vacuum casting include:
●Production of prototype plastic parts for a number of markets, including consumer goods
A production technique that can be used to manufacture plastic prototypes is vacuum casting. In a three-step process, this distinct methodology is carried out, beginning with the development of your CAD template into a master model, which can be achieved with 3D printing or CNC machining. If the master mould is complete, casting moulds based on silicone are created and filled with casting resins in the mould cavity.
●Prosthetic equipment and medical devices
Custom, quick prototyping and volume manufacturing facilities that are capable of serving the medical industry’s particular needs. At every point of the production process, we pride ourselves in ensuring rapid turnaround times, stringent content verification and robust quality management. The medical industry depends on tailored product solutions made to the highest expectations. With a number of in-house facilities, including 3D printing, plastic injection moulding, CNC machining, vacuum casting polyurethane and a variety of finishing services Prosthetic equipment and medical devices can be created.
●Automotive and aerospace parts
Throughout the automobile industry, technologically sophisticated manufacturers of vacuum casting products for both industrial and passenger vehicles give real benefit to the business of their customers. All goods are produced using state of the art production and research equipment to a high industry level. In vacuum casting super-alloys, the finest raw materials are matched with our engineering expertise and unrivalled customer support.
●Decorative objects like wall plaques or even short-run custom ornaments
Vacuum casting has a very high degree of reproduction precision and finishing choices for cosmetic purposes. The procedure makes it easy to apply colouring pigments along with the resin components to the vacuum chamber so that an exact colour can be your final element.
●Part integration and function testing
Integration testing involves verifying that, when integrated together as a group, separate modules perform fine. Functional testing means evaluating a portion of the system’s functionality (may communicate with dependencies) to ensure that the code is doing the right things. A number of integrated technologies, which include electromechanical systems, help produce and control component integration and feature testing through resistance, pressure and/or vacuum testing assist.
●Product marketing
The method of getting a product to market is product marketing. It entails determining the branding and marketing of the product, launching the product, and ensuring that it is accepted by salespeople and clients. Product promotion helps to drive the product’s production and use. Vacuum casting will conceivably help to decide whether or not the commodity can stay on the market.
Conclusion:
Using a vacuum to pull the liquid material into the container, vacuum casting is a casting method for elastomers. Where air trapping is a problem, there are intricate specifics or undercuts, or whether the material is reinforced with fibre or metal, this approach is used. 3D Incredible AM Pvt. Ltd. is a Pune-based additive manufacturing company providing stellar vacuum casting technologies for all of its wide range of applications.
