Vacuum Casting Services for Plastic Prototypes

Global delivery in 10 days or less

±0.1 mm
Dimensional Accuracy
500+
Project Delivered
10–20 pieces
Per Silicone Mold
Shore 40–90
Hardness Range

Vacuum Casting Services

Vacuum casting, also known as silicone molding, polyurethane casting or urethane casting. Is a manufacturing process used to produce high-quality plastic parts using a silicone mold.

This is a great way to make small-batch production of plastic  parts, and is ideal for prototypes, engineering tests, concept proofing, display demos, and trade show samples.

Silicone Rubber ABS PP PA PMMA PC POM

Suitable for producing sample prototypes and low-volume batch. With a good appearance and mechanical properties. Less investment than injection molding, but offers higher quality than 3D printing prototypes.

Vacuum Casting Process

Silicone Rapid Prototype

Step 2: Vacuum Cast Part

The vacuum machine draws liquid into the mold under vacuum conditions. The material will flow into the cavity and remove bubbles and air pockets.

Vacuum Casting Prototyping

Step 1: Create the Silicone Mold

A master model is manufactured by CNC machining or 3D printing. Then pour liquid silicone into the box. After about 8 – 16 hours, the silicone mold becomes hardened.

Liquid Silicone Molding

Step 3: Cure and deburr

Cure the mold and material at a temperature of 60–80 °C in the oven. After then, take the part from the silicone mold, deburr, etc.

Vacuum Casting Materials

Besides silicone, all of the other materials for the vacuum casting list are from polyurethane (PU) resins. In the formal industrial sector, they are usually named ” ABS-like, PP-like,”… However, in our daily communication, we usually drop the “like” for more convenience. Each resin is compounded to closely match the mechanical properties of the real one. And the parts look like they’re injection-molded parts.

Material Simulates Properties Recommended Prototype Types
ABS-like ABS Rigid, tough, good impact resistance, stable dimensions, easier painting and plating Industrial housings, consumer electronics enclosures, automobiles, toys
PP-like Polypropylene (PP) Flexible, chemical-resistant, living hinge capable, low-friction Electronic insulating components, transportation pipelines, chemical valves, and automotive interiors
PC-like Polycarbonate (PC) Transparent or translucent, high rigidity, good impact strength, UV stable Transparent casing, lampshade, display window, optical prototype
PMMA-like Acrylic (PMMA) High optical clarity (~85–90% transmittance), rigid, polished, slightly less clear than real PMMA Display boards, consumer electronics, automotive and transportation, decoration
PA-like Nylon (PA) Wear-resistant, self-lubricating, tough, moderate flexibility, good fatigue resistance Gears & bearings, hinges & clips, mechanical moving parts, structural test pieces
POM-like Delrin / Acetal (POM) Very rigid, low friction, excellent dimensional stability, good creep resistance Precision gears, mechanical parts, electronic and electrical components, automotive industry
Rubber-like TPU / TPE / Rubber Elastic, excellent rebound, tear resistant, hardness range from very soft to semi-rigid Seals and gaskets, wearable devices, toys, consumer electronics
Silicone Silicone rubber (LSR/HTV) Biocompatible, heat-resistant, excellent flexibility, non-toxic Medical device seals, health devices, consumer electronics, handicrafts

Vacuum Casting Solutions

Whether you need vacuum-cast parts as a functional prototype to test, or appearance prototypes, or low-volume plastic manufacturing. We provide tailored solutions for each stage of product development。

Vacuum casting prototyping small batch of 1 to 20 sample parts for design verification

Vacuum Casting Prototyping

Produce 1 to 20 prototype samples with good quality appearance and mechanical properties. Ideal for design verification, testing, and demo.

Prototyping Service
Low-volume vacuum casting production run of 20 to 200 identical polyurethane parts

Low-Volume Vacuum Casting

For batches of 20–200 vacuum casting parts, we'll produce multiple of the same silicone molds. Ensure the quality is consistent at scale.

Explore Low-Volume Service
ABS-like vacuum cast electronic enclosure prototype with textured painted surface finish

ABS Vacuum Casting

The common and popular material in vacuum casting. Works well with post-processing for painting, texture, or coating

Explore ABS Casting
Silicone-like vacuum casting flexible part available from Shore 40 to 90 hardness range

Silicone Mold Casting

Precision silicone molds copy each detail exactly the same as the master model. Repeat the quality of the parts.

Explore Silicone Mold Casting Parts

Industries We Serve with Vacuum Casting

At Xinprototype, we have experience working with our clients from different industries, to help custom and deliver vacuum casting parts Here are 4 common industries, but not limited to those.

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Automotive

Car Doors Grilles Interiors
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Consumer Electronics

Wearables Appliances Smart Home
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Medical & Healthcare

Housings Dental ABS Parts
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Industrial Manufacturing

Enclosures Panels Prototyping
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Automotive

Many tuning design companies for automotive choose vacuum casting to produce. From 5 to 20 pieces, ideal for a small batch of car doors, grilles, bumpers, etc. Or R&D in automotive manufacturing, developing a new car to test before opening the mold. Or custom ABS, silicone, and rubber vacuum casting parts used for vehicle interiors, such as the center console assembly and panel, upper and lower instrument panel, air vent bezels, and more.

Learn more →

Advantages of Vacuum Casting Parts

Cost-Effective

One mold can produce around 10–20 high-quality pieces from a single silicone mold, depending on the part specification and volume

Manufacturability of Complex Structures

Vacuum casting produces customized plastic parts in complex shapes in a single piece, with no glue lines or visible marks.

Flexible Hardness Shore Range

Available shore from 40 to 90 degrees to meet requirements. Also provides double-molding of soft and hard plastic in a single piece.

Multiple Post-processing Options

A range of surface finishes after casting is available, such as painting to match the color Ral or Pantone, chrome electroplating, etc.

Large-Part Capable (Up to 2,000 mm)

We are able to handle parts up to 2,000 mm in length. To meet many of the automotive parts' needs, such as bumpers, panels, and grills.

Fast Turnaround Time

Most orders can be completed the production within 6–10 business days. Compared with injection molding 5–8 weeks, it is faster a lot.

Parts We've Made

Thousands of vacuum-casting parts delivered to clients in 50+ countries. Here are some of the projects we’ve produced.

These 2 sets of prototype samples were produced for a personal-care massager manufacturer from the USA. The assembly is perfect, fit together seamlessly as one.
The automotive parts with high-gloss black paint look high-end. We manufactured it for an automotive tuning design company to produce a unique part for a car, without needing to invest in tools.
A small batch of consumer electronics housing manufactured via vacuum casting. Using ABS-like polyurethane resin material and with white spray-painting.
These parts we made for an automation-equipment customer in Europe. ABS material with a matte black surface finishing, small batch production at 50+ pieces, with 2 weeks delivery.
Vacuum casting in PMMA and polishing the surface to make it more transparent, the parts have about 85–90% light transmittance, as close as possible, as like injection molding PMMA.

Vacuum Casting FAQs

ABS, PC, PA, Rubber, Silicone, PMMA, POM, PU, and PP. The shore hardness can be chosen from 40 to 90 degrees. We offer custom colors, and the range of transparency is an option.

Standard tolerance is ±0.1–0.3mm, depending on the part size, structure wall thickness, and material type, etc., and other factors. If you have a higher tolerance request for the parts, we recommend our CNC machining service.

One silicone mold can produce about 10–20 pieces of high-quality parts. After that, the part tolerance from the mold will be down, we often produce a new mold to continue the production, and maintain the quality.

The standard lead time is usually 6–10 business days for prototype -20 pieces. Larger orders of 50+ parts may take 2 weeks for delivery. While 200-500+ parts, about 3 – 4 weeks.

We offer a wide range of surface treatments, such as painting based on Pantone code, plating chrome, spray oil, polishing, and more.

Yes, we can embed inserts of metal or hard plastic both. Such as metal parts made from sheet metal fabrication. Or a regular nut column, nuts, or screw, etc.

Different drawing designs have different prices. The pricing depends on part volume, material, and complexity. Contact us today to get a quote.

How to Get a Quote or Order Vacuum Casting Parts
✓ 24-Hour Quote Response ✓ NDA Available ✓ ISO-Level Quality Standards
1
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Upload Your CAD Files
Send us your drawings in STP, STEP, and IGS formats.
2
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Engineering Review & Quote
Our engineers review the manufacturability and send the quote to you within 24 hours.
3
⚙️
Order Confirmation & Manufacturing
After getting your approval, production will start according to your drawing requirements.
4
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Inspection & Global Delivery
Before shipment, the dimensions and appearance of the parts will be inspected. Worldwide shipping by Express takes 3–5 days.

Start Your Vacuum Casting Project with Our Expert Team

Upload your files with us, get a free and fast quote today

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