Low cost for molds

Molds can be made in a few days

Many types of polyurethane resins are available for casting, including overmolding

Cast copies are highly accurate with excellent surface texture

Molds are durable for 20 or more copies

Perfect for engineering models, samples, rapid prototypes, bridge to production

Step 1. Master Patterns

Patterns are 3D solids of your CAD designs. They are usually made by CNC machining or with 3D plastic printing such as SLA/SLS. You can supply your own patterns or we can make them for you. Patterns need to be able to withstand heating to 40°C.

A master pattern can be any physical solid of your design. They are often made either by CNC machining or some form of 3D printing such as SLA. Note, however, that a pattern made from 3D printing will not be quite the same as the CNC counterpart, since the later process uses round cutting tools that cannot make very tight radius corners.

Step 2. Making the Molds

Casting molds are made from liquid silicone. This silicone is poured around the master pattern inside of a casting box, and then allowed to cure in an oven for 16 hours. Once dried, the mold is cut open and the master removed, leaving behind an empty cavity in the exact negative shape of the original.

First the pattern must be carefully prepared, and that means sanding and sealing the surface with primer. Once it’s ready, it’s placed into a casting box and liquid silicone is poured around it. Depending on the size of the part, it can take 12~24 hours to fully cure inside of an oven. Once dried, the mold is cut open and the master removed, leaving behind an empty cavity in the exact negative shape of the original.

Step 3. Casting Copies

Your choice of casting resins can now be poured into the empty cavity to create a highly accurate copy of the original. It’s even possible to overmold with two or more materials. Silicone molds are typically good for 20 or so copies of the master pattern.