Short-Run Quantities
Production-Like Polyurethanes
Engineering Review Before Casting
Low-Volume Bridge Production
Produce short runs for validation, pilot builds, and early demand without committing to injection molding tooling.
Vacuum Casting Services
Vacuum Casting
for Production-Like Parts
GD Prototyping delivers vacuum cast parts in production-like polyurethane for appearance review, functional testing, and low-volume bridge production before injection molding.
- Short-Run Quantities
- Production-Like Polyurethanes
- Engineering Review Before Casting
What is Vacuum Casting?
Vacuum casting is a silicone-mold process that reproduces vacuum cast parts from a master pattern. Liquid polyurethane is cast under vacuum to help fill fine features and reduce trapped air in production-like plastic parts.
It provides a practical bridge between one-off prototypes and injection molding. Teams use vacuum casting for appearance approval, functional evaluation, fit checks, and short-run production when they need production-like material options before committing to hard tooling.
Key Features of Vacuum Casting
Production-Like Appearance
Use selected colors, textures, transparency, and soft-touch options to make prototypes more representative in design and customer review.
Polyurethane Material Options
Choose a polyurethane system around target stiffness, flexibility, appearance, and service conditions. Performance is confirmed against part requirements.
Repeatable Mold Replication
A silicone mold reproduces the approved master pattern, helping maintain visual consistency across a short batch.
Design Validation Before Tooling
Review form, fit, finish, and material direction before committing to hard tooling or injection molding.
Included Vacuum Casting Capabilities
Silicone Mold Making
Precision silicone molds for repeatable short-run vacuum casting with practical detail reproduction.
Urethane Casting
Production-like polyurethane parts in rigid, flexible, clear, or color-matched material options.
Vacuum Casting Prototypes
Short-run vacuum casting prototypes for appearance, fit, and functional validation before tooling.
How It Works
How Our Vacuum Casting
Service Works
Upload Files
Upload 3D CAD files together with part quantities, target material behavior, color, finish, and critical cosmetic or functional requirements.
Engineering Review
Our engineers assess geometry, wall thicknesses, parting-line direction, undercuts, tolerance expectations, and finishing requirements before a casting plan is released.
Quotation
Receive a project-specific quotation covering the master pattern, silicone mold, vacuum casting process, finishing scope, quantity, and planned lead time.
Master Pattern & Mold Making
After approval, we prepare the master pattern and produce a vacuum casting silicone mold for controlled release and consistent short-run replication.
Polyurethane Casting & Finishing
During polyurethane vacuum casting, selected material is poured under vacuum, cured, demolded, and trimmed. Color matching, painting, inserts, or assembly are completed as specified.
Inspection & Delivery
Each batch is checked against agreed visual, dimensional, quantity, and project-specific requirements before protected packaging and delivery.
Vacuum Casting Materials
Metals
-
Non-Metals
A rigid polyurethane casting resin for housings, covers, and functional prototypes with ABS-like behavior. It is not ABS thermoplastic.
Two-part polyurethane casting resinConfirm stiffness, impact behavior, color, and the selected formulation.
Surface Finishing & Post-Processing
Painting
Industrial painting for specified colors, gloss levels, and application-specific surface protection.
Polishing
Mechanical polishing for smoother surfaces and satin, bright, or mirror finishes.
Electroplating
Electrically deposited metal coatings for protective, conductive, or decorative applications.
Sand Blasting
Abrasive blasting for matte textures and metal surface preparation before coating.
Vacuum Casting Applications
Why GD Prototyping
Why Work With GD Prototyping?
GD Prototyping helps product teams turn approved designs into production-like vacuum cast parts through engineering review, controlled mold replication, finishing coordination, and clear project communication.
Design-for-Casting Review
We review mold split, parting surfaces, wall transitions, undercuts, tolerance priorities, and cosmetic requirements before production begins.
Material & Appearance Matching
Select polyurethane systems and finishing routes around target stiffness, flexibility, color, texture, transparency, and intended use.
Repeatable Short-Run Control
Use the approved master pattern and silicone mold to reproduce low-volume batches with consistent visual and functional intent.
Finishing Under One Plan
Coordinate trimming, color matching, painting, polishing, inserts, and assembly within one controlled production plan.
Confidential Project Handling
CAD data, product details, and project communication are managed through controlled access from quotation through delivery.
Delivery & Reorder Coordination
Coordinate packaging, shipment details, and repeat-order requirements so approved vacuum cast parts can move smoothly into the next project stage.
FAQ
Vacuum Casting FAQs
When should I choose vacuum casting?
Choose vacuum casting when you need multiple production-like plastic parts for design review, fit checks, functional testing, or low-volume bridge production before injection molding.
What materials are available for vacuum cast parts?
Vacuum cast parts use polyurethane systems that can simulate ABS, PP, PC, rubber-like, high-temperature, transparent, or colored plastic properties, subject to project requirements.
Can vacuum cast parts match a target color or surface finish?
Yes. Color matching, painting, texture simulation, polishing, soft-touch effects, and selected inserts can be planned for appearance and product-review requirements.
What affects vacuum casting cost?
Vacuum casting cost depends mainly on part size and geometry, master-pattern complexity, material choice, mold quantity, finishing scope, and order volume.
What do you need to quote a vacuum casting project?
Send 3D CAD files, required quantity, material-performance target, color, finish, tolerance priorities, and any cosmetic or assembly requirements.
After-Sales Support
Our commitment does not end at delivery. We provide comprehensive after-sales support to ensure your satisfaction and long-term success.
Engineering Follow-Up
Ongoing technical support to address questions and improve future designs.
Quality Issue Response
Rapid investigation and corrective action to resolve any quality concerns.
Inspection Reports
Detailed inspection reports and certificates available with every order.
Process Continuity
Documented processes and tooling management ensure consistency for repeat orders.
Packaging & Logistics Support
Secure packaging and logistics coordination across orders.
Quick Reorder Support
Easy reorder process and manufacturing communication.
Ready to Start a
Vacuum Casting Project?
Send your CAD files, quantity, color target, material simulation needs, and surface finish expectations. We will review the project and recommend a practical casting route.
- NDA-friendly project handling
- Engineering review included
- International delivery support