Vacuum casting and the RIM method (Reaction Injection Moulding / low-pressure spraying) are available to manufacture small-scale series with close-to-production material properties.

Master patterns from 3D printing methods or original parts are recast in a moulding box with silicone rubber after the necessary surface processing. After hardening is completed, the mould is cut open and the master pattern taken out. The interior of the resulting silicone mould can now be filled with casting materials with various material properties and colours.

Vacuum casting is based on the filling of 2 component polyurethane resins into the silicone mould under vacuum.

With the RIM procedure, the filling of a silicone or milling mould is realised through injection of the 2-component PU resin. This procedure can be used for fast and economical small-batch production.

The surface quality of the master pattern is copied perfectly with vacuum casting as also the RIM procedure.

Vacuum casting

• Surface quality: structure, gloss and much more
• Colour with vacuum casting: close to RAL shade, exact RAL shade possible through varnishing
• Material properties: large range of PU cast resin materials, approximating the series materials, e.g. shore hardness adjustable between 30–95 Shore A
• Options: 2 C (e.g. hard–soft), inserts
• Typical delivery period: six or more workdays after receipt of the 3D data
• Typical shape production: approx. 25 sets of casts (depending on cast material), multiple cavities possible
• Maximum mould sizes: 900 x 600 x 500 mm
• Maximum part volume: approx. 4 l

RIM (Reaction Injection Molding / Low-pressure spraying) 

• Surface quality: structure, gloss and much more
• Colour with RIM procedure: depending on material and material properties, exact RAL shade possible through varnishing
• Material properties: limited range of materials
• Typical delivery period: six or more workdays after receipt of the 3D data depending on mould design (silicone, solid shape)
• Typical shape production: Since the moulds are subjected only to the reaction heat of the material, higher quantities can be produced for small-scale series depending on the material properties. (multiple cavities possible)
• Maximum mould sizes: Depending on the component geometry or component volume.
• Maximum part volume: Variable according to the requested material and its pot life.

• 4D VC flyer english.pdf