Vacuum casting is a process used to produce high-quality prototypes and low-volume parts by pouring liquid polyurethane resin into a silicone mould under vacuum. It’s an accurate way to create multiple copies of a master model with excellent surface detail and finish.

It’s ideal for producing prototypes that look and perform like injection moulded parts, as well as for small production runs. Typical uses include product testing, marketing models, pre-production evaluation and bridge manufacturing before committing to tooling.

A silicone mould usually produces between 20 and 25 parts, depending on the geometry, material and size of the part.

We offer a wide range of polyurethane resins that replicate the properties of production plastics such as ABS, polypropylene, polycarbonate and elastomers like rubber. Options include clear, coloured, rigid and flexible materials. Download our vacuum casting materials datasheets here.

Parts are highly accurate, with excellent reproduction of detail from the master model. Shrinkage is typically around 0.3%, making vacuum casting a reliable process for functional prototypes.

Vacuum casting is faster and more cost-effective for small batches because it doesn’t require hard tooling. Injection moulding is the right choice for higher volumes, but vacuum casting bridges the gap when you need tens rather than thousands of parts.

We can produce parts up to around 480 x 440 x 420, depending on the geometry. Larger parts may be cast in sections and assembled.

Every vacuum casting job is unique and so lead times are determined on a case by case basis. We’ll confirm delivery timescales when we provide your quote.

Yes. We can provide a range of finishing options including painting, texturing and polishing to match production-quality standards.

Yes, many of our customers use vacuum cast parts as final-use components, especially for low-volume products or when time-to-market is critical.