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What is VC :
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VC (Vacuum Casting) is widely used process in rapid prototyping
industry, typically used for making 20 to 40 pieces of functional
prototypes out of broad range of polyurethanes and other polymers
available. The process starts with creation of an accurate and
highly finished master model which can be created using various
RP techniques e.g. SLA, FDM, SLS, CNC or existing part. This
model is carefully placed in a mold box and liquid silicon rubber
is poured over the master. After curing the silicon, mould is
cut as per split line established and master model is removed,
leaving an accurately formed cavities. Now these mould cavities
are used to cast large variety of polyurethane or epoxy materials
available. This allows fast production of high quality parts
in a short lead time. A broad range of polyurethanes with various
physical properties enable the production of prototypes to more
closely mimic the functional properties of engineering thermoplastics.
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| Advantages
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Silicone
rubber tooling is a low cost solution for producing small quantity
of functional parts in a short lead time.
Large variety
of urethane materials available to mimic the injection moulded
materials ranging from soft rubber grades to hard plastics.
High quality surface
finish including large range of colours and textured finish
available.
Excellent and
low cost solution for pre production release of parts for Marketing,
Advertisement, Functional testing or Exhibition display purpose.
Special
features like Insert moulding, threaded inserts can be easily
moulded inside the castings.
Silicon moulding has distinctive advantage over
hard tooling that it allows limited undercuts or negative draft
angle features to pull out due to flexibility characteristic
of silicon rubber, avoids extra side cores or sliders to put
in.
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Disadvantages:
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Vacuum
Cast parts are not identical to an injection molded parts, because
the conditions and method of manufacture are different.
Single mould can
make only 15 to 20 parts and most of the time need to make a
new master model for next mould.
Very
thin wall sections are not recommended and chances of cracking
or warping.
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Feature
Size:
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Minimum wall section or feature is recommended
not to be smaller than 0.8mm. Recommended size is above 1mm
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Price
Factor: |
Generally 20 pcs can be made from single mould
so multiple of 20 can give you better pricing to cover up the
silicon mould cost. E.G. Qty 20 or 40 has better pricing per
piece than 30 or 50 pcs.
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Materials:
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Please check :: VC
specification link :: for Vacuum Casting material properties.
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How VC
Works: |
Please check :: Help
+ FAQ :: Link for detailed information about Vacuum Casting
process.
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