Vacuum Casting Archives | IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services https://www.in3dtec.com/category/vacuum-casting/ 3D Printing | CNC Machining | Vacuum Casting | Injection Moding, Competitive price with a quick turnaround. Wed, 14 May 2025 02:11:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://www.in3dtec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-IN3DTEC-LOGO-32x32.png Vacuum Casting Archives | IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services https://www.in3dtec.com/category/vacuum-casting/ 32 32 3D Printing VS Vacuum Casting VS Injection Molding what’s the difference https://www.in3dtec.com/3d-printing-vs-vacuum-casting-vs-injection-molding-whats-the-difference/ Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:46:56 +0000 https://www.in3dtec.com/?p=14602 Vacuum Casting Vs 3D Printing Vs Injection Molding, what’s the difference Vacuum Casting, 3D Printing, and Injection Molding are three widely used methods for manufacturing plastic products today. Determining the right choice for your projects requires a breakdown of their differences and an exploration of their respective benefits and drawbacks. Vacuum Casting Process Vacuum casting […]

The post 3D Printing VS Vacuum Casting VS Injection Molding what’s the difference appeared first on IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services.

]]>

Vacuum Casting Vs 3D Printing Vs Injection Molding, what's the difference

Vacuum Casting, 3D Printing, and Injection Molding are three widely used methods for manufacturing plastic products today. Determining the right choice for your projects requires a breakdown of their differences and an exploration of their respective benefits and drawbacks.

Vacuum Casting Process

Vacuum casting is a process of making molds using silicon based materials. This material is heated until it becomes liquid, and then poured into a mold made using the main model or prototype. Once the material solidifies, the part can be removed from the mold and any excess material can be trimmed. The main advantage of vacuum casting is that it can fill small cracks or details in the prototype, thus creating more complex shapes.

Advantages:

Compared with 3D Printing: Its materials have superior strength and temperature resistance, with a smoother surface and support for multiple colors.

Compared with Injection Molding: No need for making a high-cost steel/aluminum cost for low-volume production.

Disadvantages:

Each cycle takes up to 6-8 days,  which means that the production time is slower than 3D Printing. In addition, vacuum casting is limited by mold size and can’t make super high complex parts.

3D Printing

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is defined as the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies.

As 3D Printing can create objects directly from the digital model, it is increasingly today to make proofs, Prototypes, and low-volume production end-use parts.

Advantages:

It can make high complex geometric parts within 1 day without using extra tooling. This means that you can quickly modify your design without having to recreate moulds whenever you want to make changes. 

Disadvantages:

The current materials still have limitations, especially for components with high requirements for mechanical and chemical properties. Additionally, the printed sample will have layer patterns on the surface. 

Injection Molding

Injection molding is the most cost-effective way to make a plastic part at scale and offers consistent quality for low-to-high- volume manufacturing.

Advantages:

Molding also has the highest variety of materials, colors, and configurations when compared to Vacuum Casting and 3D Printing.

Disadvantages:

Long-time lead time( 25 days).

Difference: Vacuum casting, 3D Printing and Injection Molding

  • Cost: For low-volume production, 3D Printing is the most cost-effective way, then followed by Vacuum Casting, and Injection molding.
  • Materials: Injection molding supports various materials than vacuum casting and 3D Printing. The materials (plastics) in 3D Printing are ideal for prototyping.
  • Surface finishes: Parts mixed with pigment are valid on vacuum casting and injection molding. Injection molding supports many types of textures. However, 3D Printing ( plastics) has limited finishes available.
  • Lead time: 3D Printing is the fastest.
  • Tolerance: Injection molding>Vacuum Casting>=3D Printing
  • Quality Consistent: Injection Molding>Vacuum Casting>= 3D Printing

In Summary:

Vacuum casting and 3D printing are excellent methods for creating custom parts within days. 

Vacuum Casting and Injection molding are ideal for low to large-volume parts used directly for marketing sales.

Ultimately the decision comes down to what type of part you need to be produced; consider all your options before deciding which method best meets your needs!

The post 3D Printing VS Vacuum Casting VS Injection Molding what’s the difference appeared first on IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services.

]]>
all you need to know about vacuum casting https://www.in3dtec.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-vacuum-casting/ Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:05:33 +0000 https://www.in3dtec.com/?p=8830 All you need to know about vacuum casting Welcome, curious minds and DIY enthusiasts, to our comprehensive guide on the fascinating world of vacuum casting! If you’ve ever wondered how intricate prototypes, unique jewelry pieces, or even mechanical components are manufactured with exceptional precision, you’re about to embark on an enlightening journey. In this blog […]

The post all you need to know about vacuum casting appeared first on IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services.

]]>

All you need to know about vacuum casting

Welcome, curious minds and DIY enthusiasts, to our comprehensive guide on the fascinating world of vacuum casting! If you’ve ever wondered how intricate prototypes, unique jewelry pieces, or even mechanical components are manufactured with exceptional precision, you’re about to embark on an enlightening journey.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the depths of vacuum casting, uncovering its principles, processes, and endless possibilities. Whether you’re a beginner seeking an introduction to this innovative technique or an experienced maker looking to refine your skills, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and explore the captivating realm of vacuum casting together!

Content

It takes about 5 minutes to read this article

  1. What is vacuum casting?
  2. How does vacuum casting work?
  3. Materials, Geometric complexity, accuracy, roughness, cost
  4. Why and when vacuum casting?
  5. How to choose the right technology among injection molding, 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Vacuum Casting?

 What is vacuum casting?

Vacuum casting is a copying technique used for the production of small series of functional & high-quality end-use plastic parts. It is a casting process for plastics using a vacuum to draw the liquid material into the mold, then put it into an oven for getting the final solid parts.

 How does vacuum casting work?

Vacuum casting is a copying technique used for the production of small series of functional & high-quality end-use plastic parts. It is a casting process for plastics using a vacuum to draw the liquid material into the mold, then put it into an oven for getting the final solid parts.

Vacuum Casting Service Providers

Vacuum Casting Materials.

Vacuum casting is mainly used for producing plastics, the materials including ABS, PC, PP, NYLON, and TPU/PU/Rubber.

Please click HERE to view the technical data-sheet of these materials.

Geometric complexity,accuracy,roughness, cost of vacuum casting

Complexity

Vacuum casting has advantages in creating parts with high geometric complexity. Its is not sensitive to the complexity of the structure, Allow designers to have unlimited spatial imagination.

Complexity, From high to low

3D Printing > Vacuum casting > CNC Machining > =Injection Molding

Accuracy

ABS, PC, PP, NYLON with a tolerance of +/-0.1mm
TPU/PU/RUBBER with a tolerance of +/-0.3mm

Roughness or Smoothness

From high to low
Injection Molding >= Vacuum casting > CNC Machining > 3D Printing

Cost

Let’s take the part below/image an example,

Material: ABS
Quantity: 20 pieces

Cost from cheap to expensive
3D Printing (USD8/piece)<Vacuum Casting(USD26/piece) < CNC Machining(USD40/piece)

Why and when choosing the vacuum casting?

When we talk about vacuum casting, we usually compare it with injection molding. So, let’s distinguish the difference between them first.

Cost difference, Let’s take the mobile phone case as an example, the mold of the vacuum casting is only tens of dollars, while injection molding costs thousands of dollars. On the other hand, the production fee of vacuum casting is tens of dollars per unit, while injection molding only costs 1 or 2 dollars.

In brief, vacuum casting has a lower front-end cost and a higher unit price, while injection molding requires a higher front-end cost, but the unit price is significantly lower。

Compared with 3D Printing(3DP), what’s the advantage of vacuum casting? Base on the same material, vacuum casting has higher smoothness, durable, and accuracy, and it has not limitation to the color as well. 

How does it compare to CNC? It is difficult to say which one is better, but if we consider the complexity of the prototype, production efficiency, and cost, vacuum casting will have more advantages. While the CNC has more material options, the material performance is better.

Being able to make soft materials quickly is one of the biggest advantages of vacuum casting. It supports materials from Shore 30A to Shore 95A, from Shore 10D to Shore 90D, in any customized Pantone No.

In conclusion, vacuum casting is not in conflict with and can’t replace other technologies, Instead, it is a supplement way, providing more flexible solutions for manufacturing.

How to choose the right technology among injection molding, 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Vacuum Casting?

3D Printing(3DP), CNC Machining(CNC), Vacuum Casting( VC), Injection Molding(IM)

High Geometric structure: 3DP & VC are better
Dimensional accuracy: CNC & VC are better
Mechanical properties in all 3 dimensions: CNC & VC are better.
Lead time: CNC with 6-8 days, VC with 6-8 days, IM with 35 days, 3DP as fast as one day, 
Cost: Complex geometry or lightweight parts, 3DP and VC have more advantages.
Quantity: 3DP, CNC, and VC are suitable for low-volume parts, IM is more suitable for large volume parts.

Read more about 3D Printing Vs Vacuum Casting Vs Injection Molding.

The post all you need to know about vacuum casting appeared first on IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services.

]]>
What’s is Vacuum casting? https://www.in3dtec.com/whats-is-vacuum-casting/ Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:38:27 +0000 https://www.in3dtec.com/?p=8810 What is Vacuum Casting? Vacuum casting vs 3D Printing Vs Injection Molding vs injection Molding This article aims to help users understand the process and advantages of vacuum casting, then choose more suitable materials when developing new products. As usual, the article is divided into the following sections. Table of contents What is vacuum casting? […]

The post What’s is Vacuum casting? appeared first on IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services.

]]>

What is Vacuum Casting?

Vacuum casting vs 3D Printing Vs Injection Molding vs injection Molding

This article aims to help users understand the process and advantages of vacuum casting, then choose more suitable materials when developing new products. As usual, the article is divided into the following sections.

Table of contents

  • What is vacuum casting?
  • How does vacuum casting work?
  • Vaccum Casting cost, Materials, Geometric complexity, accuracy, roughness
  • Vacuum casting vs CNC Machining vs 3D Printing Vs Injection Molding
  • Key factors you should know when selecting Vaccum Casting

Vaccum Casting Simplify explained

Vacuum casting service is a copying technique used for the production of small series of functional & high-quality end-use plastic parts. It is a casting process for plastics using a vacuum to draw the liquid material into the mold, then put it into an oven for getting the final solid parts.

How vacuum casting works?

Vacuum casting is a copying technique used for the production of small series of functional & high-quality end-use plastic parts. It is a casting process for plastics using a vacuum to draw the liquid material into the mold, then put it into an oven for getting the final solid parts.

vacuum casting materials

Vacuum casting service is mainly used for producing plastics, the materials including ABS, PC, PP, NYLON, and TPU/PU/Rubber.

Please click HERE to view the technical data-sheet of these materials.

vacuum casting Cost,Geometric complexity,accuracy,roughness

Complexity

Vacuum casting service has advantages in creating parts with high geometric complexity. Its is not sensitive to the complexity of the structure, Allow designers to have unlimited spatial imagination.

Complexity, From high to low

3D Printing > Vacuum casting > CNC Machining > =Injection Molding

Accuracy

ABS, PC, PP, NYLON with a tolerance of +/-0.1mm
TPU/PU/RUBBER with a tolerance of +/-0.3mm

Roughness or Smoothness

From high to low
Injection Molding >= Vacuum casting > CNC Machining > 3D Printing

Cost

Let’s take the part below/image an example,

Material: ABS
Quantity: 20 pieces

Cost from cheap to expensive

3D Printing (USD8/piece)<Vacuum Casting(USD26/piece) < CNC Machining(USD40/piece)

Vacuum Casting Vs CNC Machining vs 3D Printing Vs Injection Molding

When we talk about vacuum casting, we usually compare it with injection molding. So, let’s distinguish the difference between them first.

Vacuum Casting Vs Injection Molding

 Let’s take the mobile phone case as an example, the mold of the vacuum casting service is only tens of dollars, while injection molding costs thousands of dollars. On the other hand, the production fee of vacuum casting service is tens of dollars per unit, while injection molding only costs 1 or 2 dollars.

In brief, vacuum casting service has a lower front-end cost and a higher unit price, while injection molding requires a higher front-end cost, but the unit price is significantly lower。

Vacuum  Casting Vs 3D Printing

Compared with 3D Printing(3DP), what’s the advantage of vacuum casting? Base on the same material, vacuum casting service has higher smoothness, durable, and accuracy, and it has not limitation to the color as well. 

Vacuum Casting Vs CNC Machining

It is difficult to say which one is better, but if we consider the complexity of the prototype, production efficiency, and cost, vacuum casting will have more advantages. While the CNC has more material options, the material performance is better.

Being able to make soft materials quickly is one of the biggest advantages of vacuum casting. It supports materials from Shore 30A to Shore 95A, from Shore 10D to Shore 90D, in any customized Pantone No.

In conclusion, vacuum casting service is not in conflict with and can’t replace other technologies, Instead, it is a supplement way, providing more flexible solutions for manufacturing.

Key factors when selecting vacuum casting

3D Printing(3DP), CNC Machining(CNC), Vacuum Casting( VC), Injection Molding(IM)

High Geometric structure: 3DP & VC are betterDimensional accuracy: CNC & VC are better


Mechanical properties in all 3 dimensions: CNC & VC are better.


Lead time: CNC with 6-8 days, VC with 6-8 days, IM with 35 days, 3DP as fast as one day, 


Cost: Complex geometry or lightweight parts, 3DP and VC have more advantages.


Quantity: 3DP, CNC, and VC are suitable for low-volume parts, IM is more suitable for large volume parts.

The post What’s is Vacuum casting? appeared first on IN3DTEC | Prototyping & On-demand manufacturing services.

]]>