Urethane casting is a manufacturing method that creates parts with high-quality and detailed features faster and cost-effectively. Similarly, to injection molding, cast urethane uses mold to create the part.
Urethane molding can be used for functional prototypes, design verification, over-mold, and even with thread inserts. One of the advantages of urethane molding is design flexibility. Silicone molds are usually used to cast the urethane parts therefore some of the features such as undercut can be easily removed. For complicated undercut, the silicon mold can split into multiple pieces for assembled and disassemble to release the part.
In the process of fabricating the cast urethane, the master pattern is created and encased in liquid silicone to form the mold. After the silicone hardens, the master pattern is removed, and liquid polyurethane is poured to fill the mold and cure.
With the help of 3D printing, you can now reduce the time and cost of the master pattern creation process where the conventional methods for creating the master patterns are using CNC machined on wood, metal, or plastic that can take days or weeks to create.
Alternatively, depending on the design, you can have the option to choose either to 3D print the master pattern or directly 3D print the mold for urethane casting with 3D printing.
Taking advantage of the benefit of 3D printing, you can have the freedom to design complex master patterns that is not possible to fabricate using CNC machining or traditional methods.
From product development models and prototypes to low-volume production runs, you can produce high-resolution 3D printed master patterns that accurately mimic the color, texture, feel, and physical properties of injection molded parts.
If you considering using the cast urethane process, get in touch with ECS Singapore if you are looking for on-demand services.