Understanding the Benefits of Vacuum Casting for Short Runs

Product development teams are facing ever increasing pressure to deliver high-quality products at speed, without exceeding budgets. Whether for prototypes, functional testing, or initial product launches, the demand for efficient short-run production methods is stronger than ever.

Vacuum casting is a leading solution in this space, offering exceptional quality, material versatility, and speed.

What Is Vacuum Casting?

Vacuum casting is a rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing process that uses silicone moulds to replicate master models, typically produced via SLA 3D printing. Polyurethane resins are cast under vacuum to eliminate air bubbles and ensure excellent surface quality, and fine detail.

The process is ideal for producing up to 25 parts per mould—depending on geometry and material—making it particularly effective for short-run production, pre-production testing, and user evaluation phases.

Key Advantages of Vacuum Casting for Short-Run Production

Cost-Effective Without Compromising Quality

Vacuum casting provides a cost-efficient route to high-quality parts without the substantial upfront investment associated with injection moulding. Because silicone tooling is quicker and less expensive to produce than metal moulds, it’s an ideal choice when quantities are limited, and budget efficiency is a priority.

Excellent Surface Finish and Detail

Silicone moulds are highly capable of capturing intricate features and producing smooth, production-quality finishes straight out of the mould. This makes vacuum casting an effective option for aesthetic parts, functional assemblies, and components intended for demonstration or validation.

Broad Range of Material Properties

Vacuum casting materials include rigid, flexible, and rubber-like polyurethanes that replicate common production materials such as ABS, polypropylene, and elastomers. This enables you to closely simulate end-use characteristics during testing—whether you’re assessing impact resistance, flexibility, or clarity.

Supports Iterative Design and Testing

For teams developing new products or refining existing designs, vacuum casting provides the flexibility to produce multiple design iterations quickly and affordably. This iterative capability helps identify issues earlier, reduce development risk, and improve overall product performance.

Low-Risk Bridge to Production

Vacuum casting serves as an effective bridge between prototyping and full-scale production. It allows teams to finalise designs, test market interest, and prepare for scaling without prematurely committing to the costs of hard tooling.

Talk to us

If you’re exploring short-run production options and need a partner with proven expertise in vacuum casting, we’re here to help. Visit our vacuum casting page to learn more or contact our team on 01763 249760 to discuss your project.

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