| For those 2 processes, there are many differences. |
Rapid Tooling (Silicone mould & vacuum casting) |
Trial/fast mould & small series production |
| 1. Difference of quantity demand |
Suitable for project below 50 pcs, and design with complex structure, such as undercut, which is hard to be demoulded from metal mould.
|
Suitable for quantities between 50-1000 pcs. |
| 2. Difference of material choice |
Use PU(Polyurethane resin) to simulate different performance of normal plastics, such as ABS, PC, PA, PMMA, POM. |
Almost all possible plastic materials used in injection process, can be used on trial mould. |
| 3. Difference of precision level |
Because Silicone mould is soft, when do casting, some factors would influence precision of final parts. Generally the precision could be achieved by RT is about +/-0.15mm. |
Metal mould is hard, the final parts can reach much better precision, about +/-0.05mm. The quality of final parts is smilar even same as those under mass production. |
| 4. Difference of material usage |
Using PU(Polyurethane resin) to simulate different performance plastic, just only approach limited kinds of plastic. And the final parts by RT couldn't fully reach the performance of real plastic material on mass production. |
Projects need special materials, such as high temperature resistance, flame resistance, anti-strike, food-grade material and medical-class material. |
