The Vacuum Casting Process
Benefits from Using Vacuum Casting
There are many options available to manufacture products, and one of these options is vacuum casting. This manufacturing process involves using a vacuum to pull the liquid material into the mold. It may sound the same as injection molding, but it’s not because the latter uses a screw to push the molten material.
Vacuum casting is part of rapid prototyping, a part of the manufacturing that is bringing innovations into the industry with fresh and advanced concepts. Many industries are embracing this technology and take advantage of its amazing benefits. This short discussion will deal with the vacuum casting process, its benefits, and many more.
The material used is a rubber-like elastomer. Its process starts when the material is cast into the mold through a vacuum. This liquid material is then converted into a solid form by undergoing several procedures.
Step 1. Thermoforming – here the material is heated into a liquid form so that it will be pliable and soft.
Step 2. In this step, the preheated material will come in contact with the mold while maintaining the source the vacuum is kept on. The vacuum will continuously draw the flexible sheet into the mold, which gives it a definite shape.
Step 3. In the last step, the liquid material will settle into the mold and cool down. The step is completed with the die-cut of the mold.
Although there are many steps involved in the vacuum casting method, it does not take a lot of time for a final product to produce. The molds have smooth finishes and do not require finishing. Because of its clean finish, it is still one of the most preferred services by many manufacturers.
There are plenty of reasons why vacuum casting has become popular. It can help in manufacturing more significant parts that other manufacturing processes cannot do. It can handle larger pieces when needed, and it is also easy to customize.
Another benefit of using this technique is it has a quick production timeline. The vacuum casting process may seem complicated, but it is straightforward and fast. If there is complicated machinery needed, the maximum can be five days.
Another benefit of using this method is it has a low cost of production. It can be beneficial for startup companies because it can produce in small number, which is cost-effective.
In summary, vacuum casting can be an excellent option because it can save a lot of time in producing parts and is very cost-effective.