Chinese
DMG 5-axis and rows of 3-axis CNC in a 5,000 m² Chang'an base
Dongguan · Chang'anIn-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
PR-03 · Process hubs
Urethane / vacuum casting 真空复模
Soft silicone molds make 10–50 plastic parts that look and feel like real molded parts, for a fraction of the cost of a steel mold.
- Typical lead time (how long it takes)
- 7–12 days
- Typical cost
- A silicone mold plus a per-part cost. Much cheaper than a steel mold, pricier per part than molding.
- Minimum order (MOQ: the smallest order a shop will accept)
- About 10 pieces per mold
- Best for
- 10–100 production-like plastic parts before investing in steel tooling
What is it?
Urethane casting, also called vacuum casting (复模, fù mó), is a cheap way to make a small batch of plastic parts that look and feel like real molded parts. First a perfect master part is made (usually 3D printed). A soft silicone mold is poured around it, then liquid plastic is poured into that mold under vacuum. Each silicone mold makes about 15–25 parts before it wears out.
Design tips (DFM: designing so it's easy to make)
- 01Each silicone mold gives roughly 15–25 shots, so plan batches
- 02Say which production plastic the part should imitate
- 03Transparent and soft-touch parts are possible; ask for samples
- 04Expect slightly lower accuracy than CNC
Shops for this process
Sino-British founders (CEO Vader Yu and James Murphy) and English-speaking project managers
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machining3D printingUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Instant online PCB quotes, prototypes from US$5 for 10 boards
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
PCB fabricationPCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)CNC machining3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗
Chinese
Instant online quotes with automated DFM feedback for mechanical parts
Shenzhen · Bao'anIn-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningInjection moldingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗
Tuowei Precision
拓维模型130+ CNC centres, SLA printers, vacuum casting and molding on a 10,000 m² site
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum casting3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Kaierwo
凯尔沃New-energy prototypes: battery packs, charger housings, inverters, cooling modules
Shenzhen · GuangmingMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum casting3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Chinese
Automotive white-body stamping prototypes and full-size show-car models
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningSheet metal fabricationMetal stamping
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Get 3 quotes
Get 3 quotes: Urethane / vacuum casting
Describe the part once. We send it to up to 3 shops that fit, and they quote you directly.
8 guides
Guides & articles
Everything we've written about Urethane / vacuum casting, starting with the basics.
Start here9 min
What is vacuum casting? A plain-English guide
How vacuum casting (urethane casting) works, why it's used for 10 to 50 molded-looking parts, what materials and finishes it offers, and how to order it in Shenzhen. Written for first-timers.
→
01Cost · 8 min50 parts: casting vs printing vs molding
You need around 50 plastic parts. Should you 3D print them, vacuum cast them, or make a mold? A plain-English comparison of cost, speed, looks and material, with a simple way to compare quotes.
02Choosing · 10 minWhich 3D printing process? SLA vs SLS vs MJF
The three 3D printing processes most used for professional prototypes and small batches, explained in plain words. How each works, how the parts look and behave, and which one to choose.
03Basics · 10 minWhat is injection molding? A plain-English guide
How injection molding works, why it makes plastic parts so cheap at volume, what the catch is, and when your product is ready for it.
04Basics · 10 minWhat is rapid prototyping? A plain-English guide
What rapid prototyping means, the main methods (3D printing, CNC machining, urethane casting), how many rounds to expect, and how Shenzhen's prototype shops work.
05Choosing · 7 minChoosing a prototyping method: 3D printing vs CNC vs urethane casting
A simple comparison of the three main prototyping methods by speed, cost, strength, look and quantity, plus a quick way to pick the right one for each part.
06Working in China · 18 minHow to get an injection mold made in China
A plain-English walkthrough for first-timers. What an injection mold is, when you need one, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to make sure the mold belongs to you.
07Cost · 9 minHow much does injection molding cost?
The two costs of injection molding (the mold and each part) explained for first-timers, with a simple way to work out when molding becomes cheaper than prototyping methods.
Common questions
Why not just 3D print?
Cast parts are closer to injection-molded parts in material, colour and finish, which is better for user testing and small launches.
What's the master made from?
Usually an SLA print or CNC part, finished to the quality you want copied.