Once the SLA model, or master pattern, has been cleaned, our mold technicians will prepare the part to be poured in silicone (RTV mold). Doing such requires installing a gate and venting system using metallic tubing in the chase.

While the part is suspended by this system in the chase, liquid silicone is poured until the part is submerged. The chase is then placed in one of our several pressure chambers to remove any air bubbles in the silicone material.

Once the silicone has cured and solidified, the mold technician will manually split, or cut, the silicone along the parting line and the master pattern, or SLA model, can be removed. Now we have a temporary silicone mold which is good for 15 to 20 shots, depending on part geometry.

At this point, the silicone mold can be injected with the specified urethane material and placed back in the pressure chamber.

Each and every casting will be cleaned by our experienced team of model makers. At this point, any decorating required is done and the prototype part is ready for shipment to the customer.

Being that thermoplastic materials can not be injected in this RTV molding process, urethane materials are capable since melting temperatures are not required but in turn, a chemical reaction for thermosets is. This chemical reaction produces heat therefore limiting the life of the RTV silicone mold.