Advantages and Applications of Cast Urethane Parts in Manufacturing



Urethane casting can be a reliable and cost-effective manufacturing method for low-volume identical prototypes or end-use parts. Also known as vacuum casting, it involves a custom silicone mold and a urethane casting resin that will be cured and cooled to produce the component. This process makes cast urethane parts faster and more affordable.         

Although this method is widely used, many product designers and manufacturers are still unaware of how beneficial it can be for their projects. Some manufacturers only use it for bridge tooling to make prototypes before using injection molding for end-use production, overlooking the vast benefits and uses of urethane casting.

This blog hopes to explain the advantages and applications of cast urethane parts.

·         Enhanced design flexibility - Urethane casting allows product designers to be more flexible as it offers access to various materials in different durometers and colors. Moreover, it’s easier to introduce design changes to the mold designs according to the prototype testing results. Silicone molds can handle 25 to 30 shots, so modifications can be integrated between them at a lower cost. This eliminates the need to make a brand-new mold for low-volume production.

·         Minimize part and tooling costs - Cast urethane parts are more cost-effective to manufacture on a per-unit basis compared to additive manufacturing methods, especially for low-volume production. When prototyping, additive processes could involve several build cycles to produce more parts, resulting in higher production costs. On the other hand, vacuum casting can quickly fabricate prototypes without lengthy and costly build cycles.

Additionally, vacuum casting uses silicone, which is more affordable than the metal molds and tooling involved in injection molding. It’s faster to make silicone molds, too.

·         Faster production - Silicone molds are quicker to make than hard ones. These are ready to use for cast urethane parts within 24 hours and reduce production costs.

·         Quality and precision - With urethane casting, manufacturers can make high-quality parts with complex shapes with good tolerances. Reputable vacuum casting specialists follow tight tolerances per industry standards to ensure accurate results every time.

Do you need urethane casting services?

HLH Prototypes can make your cast urethane parts fast and cost-effectively! Contact us with details about your project, so we can review them!

Source URL: https://www.hlhprototypes.com/advantages-and-applications-of-cast-urethane-parts-in-manufacturing/

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