Urethane casting is a versatile process to produce plastic and rubber products. This process is based silicon molding. A 3D master part is created by using Stereolithography (SLA) or Poly Jet 3D (PJ3D) technologies, and then this master part is put into a casting frame and liquid silicon is cast around it. A cavity is left in frame when the master part is cut out of it, which is used for further molding of polyurethanes under vacuum.
BENEFITS OF CAST URETHANE
Cast Urethane is a high performance and inexpensive process with an accurate production of plastic and rubber objects. The following benefits of Cast Urethane make it ideal for designing of plastic and rubber products:
- Efficient Turnaround Time:
Silicon molds are created very quickly which enhances turnaround of cast urethanes. As the products are made quickly, they can be used for design testing and entertain customers’ response on new products. Cast urethane benefits companies for end-user testing and short-run production.
- Accurate Production:
Cast Urethane products with accurate dimensions. Accuracy of master product, its dimensions and geometry are kept intact in urethane cast parts. The shrinkage rate expected in these parts is just + 0.15 %.
- Durability:
Cast Urethane products are available in flexible to rigid plastics. Urethane cast products are significantly tough and stronger than other 3D products.
- Custom Color and Finishes:
The urethane cast products can be made transparent or colored. Custom colors and textures are applied to the products and silicon molds deliver exceptional finish to the products. Secondary treatments like painting are applicable to urethane cast products which gives desired physical properties.
- Cost- Effective production of Prototypes:
Cast Urethane provides products of high value but in low cost. The silicon molds used are cheaper than aluminum and steel tools used in other additive manufacturing. Same mold can be used for multiple productions of prototypes which reduce expense and larger number of products can be created in less time.
WHY USE CAST URETHANE MANUFACTURING?
Cast urethane has become significant due to technology and material advancements over past few years. It is versatile manufacturing method that makes products as small as 1” sq and as large as 5 ft. Rapid adoption is being seen in cast urethane manufacturing because of availability of materials that fulfill customers’ demands.
Cast urethane manufacturing has speed up availability of products in market. Manufacturing of steel and aluminum tools keeps customers waiting and cast urethane products are already in market. This increases revenue generation that’s why cast urethane manufacturing is growing rapidly.
Rapid redesigning of products is possible with cast urethane manufacturing. The products that undergo yearly redesigning are modified by this process. Changes are incorporated quickly before any other competitor produces same product. Automotive and aerospace industries require upgraded models every year benefit from cast urethane manufacturing.
FIRST PART CAST URETHANE
First part cast urethane manufacturing utilizes variety of materials to produce variety of applications with distinctive characteristics. Automotive car body wheel and vent pipe with well-balanced physical properties and stable dimensions are produced. First Part manufactures prototype parts and mock-ups with high elongation, good flexibility and high impact resistance features.
Crystal glass like products like jewelry, stained glass repair, art and decoration pieces are cast in silicon molds. Notable features of these products include high transparency (water clear), easy polishing and processing and good UV resistance.
CONCLUSION
Rapid advancement in industrialization demands quick production of prototypes and other products. Cast urethane manufacturing utilizes single silicon mold to produce large number of parts. It saves time and expenses of variety of frameworks required in other additive manufacturing processes. Redesigning and up gradation of products have been made easy by urethane casting.
