Vacuum Casting

Also known as Vacuum “V” Process

Manufacturing Process-I
Assignment #03 Submitted By
Faisal Tariq
ME 814
Semester 5 Mechanical
Section B
 Vacuum Casting Process
• The V-Process was invented in
Japan in 1971 as an improvement
on conventional sand casting.

• It consists of three production

phases: mold making, part pouring,
and the curing process that
includes the post cure finishing.
 Vacuum Casting: Mold Making
• A thin preheated sheet of plastic film material is placed over a
pattern and a vacuum is applied to draw the sheet to the pattern
contours.
• The flask containing the mould is then filled with dry unbonded
silica sand which is compacted by vibration.
• A second plastic sheet is placed at the back of the flask and the
mould is further compacted under vacuum.
• With the vacuum process maintained, the pattern is then
removed and the two halves of the mold are joined and secured
for pouring.
 Vacuum Casting: Part Poring
• Next, molten metal
moves into the mold due
to suction

• After the metal has

solidified, the vacuum is
removed and the casting
is released.

Vacuum Cast
 Application
• Vacuum casting is used in the casting of jewelry or similar
small metal parts that have fine detail.

• Accurate wax models for investment casting can be

produced.

• Urethane Plastic Prototyping e.g. covers for rear lights in

cars
 Advantages
• Eliminates the use of binders and minimizes sand waste.

• Gives good dimensional accuracy and surface finish with

generally twice the accuracy of sand castings.

• Eliminates gas hole defects.

• Pattern life is longer because there is no contact between the

sand and the pattern.
 Advantages
• Is suitable for a wide range of casting sizes from grams to
tonnes.

• The process can be used for complex geometries and can be

automated to achieve greater consistency and productivity.

• It can be highly cost competitive with other casting

processes.
 Limitations
• Requires plated pattern equipment.

• Close synchronization of mould and metal readiness is

essential in foundry practice.

• Is not typically suitable for high rates of production.

• Is not suitable for some casting geometries due to flexibility

limitations of the plastic
Vacuum Casting
 References
• http://www.arcabrasives.com/Fabrication/Casting.html

• http://www.industrialmetalcasting.com/vacuum-n-process
.html

• http://www.mec.cf.ac.uk/services/?view=vacuum_casting
&style=plain

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcrgXa0yYrw