Polymer 3D Printing vs. Vacuum Casting
Knowing which technology to use makes all the difference. Here’s what you need to know.
Vacuum Casting Services
Vacuum casting is an effective manufacturing technique offering high precision and accuracy. It’s a cost-effective technology for prototypes, production, and specialized parts.
How Vacuum Casting Works
A 3D-printed master model is placed into a container and covered with liquid silicone rubber. Then, it’s put into a vacuum chamber, creating a detailed mold.
Liquid material is poured into the mold cavity. The mold is then placed under vacuum to remove any air bubbles, and the material is left to harden.
Finally, the mold is opened, and the replica of the mold is removed. This process can be repeated about 30 times per mold, quickly and easily creating parts.
Vacuum Casting Use Cases
Vacuum casting is typically used for small-batch production, as it’s cost-effective and fast. Vacuum casting is often used as an alternative to injection molding when production numbers are low.
Furthermore, the smooth finish and wide range of colors make vacuum casting especially convenient for high-quality end-use parts.
Vacuum Casting by the Numbers
Max Build Size
Up to 500 mm
Lead Times
Starting at 9 days
Minimum Wall Thickness
0.5 mm (material/geometry dependent)
Standard Color
Any, as color can be mixed in the resin before production
Dimensional Accuracy
As accurate as +/- 0.1%
Source Industrial-Grade Vacuum Casted Parts
MakerVerse gives you the flexibility to source parts however you need. Get instant quotes and quickly order parts with on-demand manufacturing. Our team of experts will work with you for large or complex orders to develop, align, and supervise a manufacturing quality plan from start to finish.
On-Demand Manufacturing
- Instant quoting and DFM checks
- Short lead times
- Fast and intuitive order placement
Production Orders
- Expert support from end-to-end
- Comprehensive manufacturing and quality plan
- Guaranteed quality meeting advanced specifications
Popular Vacuum Casting Materials
Vacuum casting offers a wide range of resins designed to be equivalents to the thermoplastic materials used in other manufacturing technologies. Some of the most popular options include:
ABS-like PC-like PP-like TPU ABS-likeABS-like
Main characteristics
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)-like material combines strength and durability with low weight and a high load capacity. The material provides a good compromise between mechanical properties, cost, and accuracy.Use cases
Thanks to its versatility and affordable price, it’s widely used across industries. ABS-like is often used for functional prototypes, consumer products, and industrial parts such as components and housings. PC-likePC-like
Main characteristics
Polycarbonate (PC)-like combines good mechanical properties such as impact resistance, strength, rigidity, and hardness. It also offers temperature with high dimensional stability and heat resistance.Use cases
PC is typically used for jigs and fixtures, cases of any kind, and visual models. PP-likePP-like
Main characteristics
Polypropylene (PP)-like offers high strength and toughness combined with a light weight. This material also has low moisture absorption.Use cases
PP-like is a relatively inexpensive material often used in everything from electronic components to everyday household goods, such as storage containers. TPU TPU
Main characteristics
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-like offers advantages in terms of elasticity, flexibility and durability. The material is ideal whenever shock absorption is required.Use cases
TPU is often used for prototyping flexible parts, such as seals and gaskets. Another specific use case is for shock-absorbing parts, such as shoes and protective sports gear.Didn't find the material you are looking for?
We are constantly expanding and you can request specific materials going beyond our current standardized offering. Select “Other Material” in the order process and provide us with your desired specifications in the comment section. You can also reach out to us with your specific material requests
Vacuum Casting Resources
10 Main Vacuum Casting Advantages
Is this technology the best fit for your next small or medium batch production project?
Investment Casting vs Die Casting
Find the best-fitting solution for your manufacturing needs.
Design Basics for Vacuum Casting
Learn about draft angles, wall thickness, and other design considerations.
Let’s build together
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