Vacuum Cast Rubber-Like Components

Detailed Description

Our vacuum cast rubber-like components are manufactured for prototype and low-volume applications where flexible mechanical behavior is required before production tooling is available.

A master pattern is first used to create a silicone mold. Flexible polyurethane resin is then cast under vacuum to reduce trapped air and reproduce fine surface details, undercuts and thin flexible sections.

By selecting different elastomeric resin systems, the finished parts can simulate a range of soft rubber, TPE-like or TPU-like behaviors. This makes the process suitable for seals, grips, flexible buttons, protective boots, damping pads and other soft prototype components.

Vacuum casting is particularly useful when several consistent flexible parts are required for fit testing, ergonomic evaluation, functional assembly trials or low-volume product validation.

Available Surface Finishes

• Fine Matte Finish: Common for seals, grips and functional soft parts.
• Gloss Finish: Suitable for decorative flexible components.
• Textured Finish: Replicates selected grain or grip patterns from the master model.
• Soft-touch Surface: Provides a tactile finish for user-contact components.
• Custom Coloring: Pigments can be added to create different prototype colors.

Structural & Functional Breakdown

• Flexible Seal Structure: Supports compression, contact and sealing evaluation.
• Soft Button Structure: Suitable for keypad and control-interface prototypes.
• Protective Boot Structure: Provides flexible protection around joints, switches and connectors.
• Flexible Grip Structure: Supports ergonomic testing of handles and handheld products.
• Shock-absorbing Structure: Can simulate damping pads, bumpers and protective components.

Key Features

• Adjustable Hardness: Different polyurethane elastomers can simulate a broad range of flexible material behaviors.
• Complex Flexible Geometry: Silicone molds support undercuts and deformable structures.
• Fine Detail Replication: Textures, grooves and small surface features can be reproduced from the master.
• Low-volume Production: Suitable for repeated functional samples without hard tooling.
• Color & Texture Flexibility: Appearance can be customized for design and ergonomic validation.

Applications

• Seals & Gaskets
• Flexible Buttons
• Protective Boots
• Soft Grips
• Vibration Damping Parts
• Flexible Mechanical Prototypes