Silicone Casting at TONGDA LINK
The Application of Silicone Casting in Product Development:
Silicone casting is particularly useful for applications in industries such as automotive, medical, consumer electronics, and consumer goods. By providing an early-stage prototype that closely simulates the final product, it helps product designers and engineers identify potential issues in design, functionality, and manufacturability.
Why Choose TONGDA LINK for Silicone Casting?
Our expertise in silicone casting bridges the gap between prototyping and mass injection molding production, offering a balance of speed, affordability, and precision. By combining advanced materials, meticulous mold-making, and rigorous quality control, TONGDA LINK ensures prototypes are not only visually and functionally representative but also scalable for future mold manufacturing needs. This makes us a go-to partner for industries requiring rapid, low-risk validation of designs before full-scale production.
PROTOTYPING AND SMALL VOLUME PRODUCTION
Silicone casting is ideal for producing prototypes. Also allows for quick production of parts without the need for expensive molds, making it a cost-effective solution for prototype testing and low-volume production.
TONGDA LINK uses advanced casting techniques to create highly detailed prototypes with complex geometries, ensuring quick turnaround times and cost-effective solutions for customers testing new designs.
Vacuum Casting Material-Specific Shrinkage Rates:
|
Material |
Typical Shrinkage |
Notes |
|
Platinum-Cure Silicone |
0.1–0.3% |
Best for precision molds. |
|
Polyurethane Resin |
0.15–0.5% |
Low shrinkage, stable. |
|
Epoxy Resin |
1–2% |
Higher shrinkage; requires compensation. |
|
Tin-Cure Silicone |
~1% |
Avoid for tight tolerances. |
SILICONE CASTING FOR SOFT MATERIAL APPLICATION
Silicone Casting Prototypes: Material Types
1. Rigid Prototypes
2. Flexible Elastomers for Silicone Casting
POST PROCESS FOR PROTOTYPES
The post-processing of silicone casting involves several critical steps after demolding to ensure quality, durability, and aesthetics of the final cast part.
TRIMMING
Trim excess material (flash) from seams or vents with precision knives/scissors.
CLEANING
Carefully demold the silicone part, ensuring it doesn’t tear (apply release agents beforehand if necessary). Perform an initial cleaning using mild soap/water or isopropyl alcohol to remove mold release residues. Once cleaned, proceed to surface finishing—such as polishing or painting—as required.
SURFACE FINISHING
Sanding:
1. Level rough areas with coarse-grit sandpaper (200–400 grit). 2. Progressively refine the surface using fine-grit sandpaper (800–2000 grit).
3. Use wet sanding (with water) to minimize dust and prevent scratching.
Polishing (For Glossy Finishes):
1. Apply plastic polish (e.g., Novus Polish) with a microfiber cloth.
2. Buff using silicone-safe compounds to achieve high gloss.
→ For matte finishes, skip polishing; maintain texture with fine sanding only.
Painting & Coating:
1. Prime: Use adhesion promoters for optimal paint bonding.
2. Paint: Apply silicone-specific paints/primers (e.g., Psycho Paint).
3. Protect/Finish: Use flexible sealants like Plasti Dip, spray paint, or clear coats.
How TONGDA LINK ensures dimensional accuracy of the silicone casting parts?
TONGDA LINK makes solutions according to the factors that may affect dimensional accuracy throughout the entire prototyping process…
LEARN MORE
Common Challenges and Solutions of Silicone Casting:
|
Issue |
Cause |
Solution |
|
Shrinkage |
Material curing or silicone mold |
Compensate master model size; use low-shrinkage silicones/resins. |
|
Warping |
Uneven cooling/demolding stress |
Reinforce mold; post-cure in a flat jig; control ambient temperature. |
|
Air Bubbles |
Trapped air during pouring |
Degas material; use pressure pot; design vents in mold. |
|
Mold Deformation |
Soft silicone or poor support |
Use rigid mold shells; select high-hardness silicone (e.g., Shore 30A+). |
|
Surface Inaccuracies |
Mold texture or release issues |
Polish master model; apply mold release evenly; sand/polish cast part. |
TONGDA LINK’s Commitment to Customer Support and Reliable Business Partnerships
At TONGDA LINK, we understand that successful product development requires strong collaboration and reliable partnerships. Our goal is to support customers from initial concept through to final production, offering expert advice and guidance at every stage of the mold-making process. We utilize advanced techniques in mold making, employing high-quality silicone materials and state-of-the-art machinery to create reliable and durable molds. Our team of experts ensures that each silicone mold is crafted with precision, allowing for repeatability and accurate part production.
Our on-site plastic mold manufacturing and plastic injection molding production centers at Dongguan factory apply the latest plastic processing technology. Our manufacturing capability including:
Mold Making Molding CNC Machining Prototyping