Vacuum casting
Vacuum Casting is an advanced replication technology used to produce high-fidelity polyurethane resin parts using silicone moulds. This process is the ideal solution for manufacturing short series and functional prototypes that require an exceptional surface finish and mechanical properties similar to industrial injection-moulded plastics. At Ineo, we apply this technique to provide you with end-use components of superior aesthetic and technical precision, optimising costs and lead times for low-volume production.
Vacuum casting
Vacuum casting is the technology that allows us to reproduce pieces in polyurethane resin using a silicone mould. For the manufacture of this mould we use, generally, a first model of stereolithography (SLA). However, this technique allows us to use as a master almost any type of piece made with other technologies, such as laser sintering (SLS), molten deposition modelling (FDM) or machining (CNC).
We can produce short series of pieces with polyurethane resins whose characteristics (flexibility, transparency, resistance to high temperature, fiber loading, fire retardant -V0-) are similar to those of the final product: ABS, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, etc. There are also polyurethanes with FDA approval suitable for food use.
Different types of surface finishes, such as painted, chrome, tinted or metallic, among others can be applied to the parts that have been manufactured using this technique.
Our technical skill in vacuum casting replication enables us to serve as the perfect bridge between prototyping and mass production. At Ineo, we provide our production capacity and management of advanced technical materials—ranging from flame-retardant resins to food-grade standards—that faithfully meet the demands of your specific application. Rely on our experience in surface finishes and silicone tooling to achieve short series with aesthetic and functional quality comparable to industrial injection moulding.
Are you looking for a solution to manufacture short series with industrial-grade finishes and materials? Would you like to discover how our technical skill in Vacuum Casting can help optimise your product validation?
Talk to our technical team
What is vacuum casting?
It is a process for the rapid manufacturing of parts in silicone moulds. This technology makes it possible to reproduce pieces in polyurethane resin in a silicone mould made generally from a master generated by additive manufacturing.
How does vacuum casting work?
The casting process is carried out under vacuum, mainly to facilitate the entry of the fluid into the mould cavity, thus avoiding the possible resistance of air that might remain inside. In this way, the mould is filled exclusively by the action of the force of gravity and the risk of bubbles forming in the material is minimized. Therefore, high precision and very good finishing products are obtained.
The wide range of polyurethane (PU) materials allows to select in a very suitable way the material that best adapts to the properties and requirements of the pieces.
Applications of vacuum casting
The pieces that are manufactured by vacuum casting are especially suitable for obtaining a pre-series. This is because the pieces generated by means of silicone molds are obtained with a high level of quality, comparable to those produced by injection or other processes.
Some applications:
- Conducting tests prior to the launch of new products
- Market research
- Prototypes
- Manufacture of short series (low volume manufacturing)
- Advertise new products
Advantages of vacuum casting
Some of the advantages of vacuum casting are:
- Variety of materials
- Variety of finishes
- Low investment in moulds or tools for short series
- Finishing quality comparable to other technologies or processes
- Obtaining first pieces in a short period of time
Aspects to consider
Some considerations regarding the vacuum casting are:
- Price per piece high if the size is large
- Useful life of the silicone mould
Vacuum casting also allows a wide variety of finishes. For this purpose, we offer a wide range of services to offer our customers different levels of finishing adapted to their needs.
FAQs – Vacuum Casting & Low-Volume Production Insights
- What is vacuum casting in industrial manufacturing?
Vacuum casting is a process where liquid polyurethane resin is poured into silicone moulds under vacuum to produce high-quality prototype or low-volume parts. - Which materials are used in vacuum casting?
Polyurethane resins are typically used, with properties that can simulate ABS, polypropylene or polycarbonate depending on the formulation. - What is vacuum casting used for?
It is mainly used for functional prototypes, visual models, pre-series production and small batches of end-use parts before industrial tooling is required. - How accurate are vacuum cast parts compared to injection moulding?
Vacuum casting offers high dimensional accuracy and surface quality, making it suitable for near-production-quality parts in small volumes. - How long does vacuum casting production take?
Production times are typically short, often between a few days and two weeks depending on complexity, number of parts and finishing requirements. - Can Ineo ship vacuum cast parts internationally?
Yes, Ineo manufactures vacuum cast parts in Barcelona, Spain, and ships them to customers across Europe and worldwide with secure logistics and packaging.
National and International Delivery Times for vacuum casting
Need your vacuum casting parts ASAP?
Ineo provides manufacturing services for professional applications, guaranteeing fast-turnaround deliveries with optimized lead times.
We advise, design, manufacture, and distribute nationally and internationally from Terrassa (Barcelona, Spain).
📦 No minimum order quantity – Guaranteed delivery times – Technical support
Delivery Times in Spain:
The delivery time for vacuum-cast parts may vary depending on the number of units, part geometry, and the type of finish required.
Factors affecting vacuum casting lead times include:
- Design complexity
- Quantity of parts requested
- Type of material used
- Preliminary preparation (such as creating the master and/or mold)
- Current production workload
In general, delivery times range from 5 to 15 business days. Simple parts in limited quantities may be ready in less than a week, while more complex projects may require additional time.
We can also offer urgent solutions upon request, always evaluating technical feasibility and current workload.
Contact us so we can review your project and provide an accurate estimate delivery time.
Deliveries to Canary Islands, Balearics, Ceuta & Melilla:
Shipments to these regions may require 1-5 additional business days due to logistics and (for Canary Islands) customs processing.
International Deliveries:
Orders outside Spain require extended lead times. Additional delivery time varies by destination country and local logistics/customs factors.
For precise international delivery estimates, contact our customer service team.
Ready to manufacture your parts?
INEO PROTOTIPOS S.L.
C/Avenc del Daví, 6 Pol.Ind.Can Petit
Terrassa, Barcelona 08227
Tel. +34 937 337 000
Email: contact@ineo.es
Web: https://www.ineo.es