MCP introduces vacuum cast , glass-filled nylon parts

The RP team at a major automotive manufacturer used new technology from MCP to vacuum cast prototype 400mm diameter glass filled nylon radiator fans. The new technology delivered a fast and economical method of determining the percentage of glass fill required to achieve the optimum weight/strength ratio and geometrical stability for this particular application. The team were able to use the same silicone tool to produce around 10 parts, gradually increasing the glass fill percentage with each part, rather than having to invest tens of thousands of pounds in hard tooling and the associated operational time required at the injection moulding machine during each material change.

The process is equally suitable for high value, short series production tasks as well as for trials such as this one prior to high volume series production. Typically 20 – 30 parts can be cast from each silicone tool, although this number may be reduced when producing parts with highly complex geometry, or increased with more simple shapes. MCP’s new glass filled nylon unit can be integrated into any existing MCP plc based vacuum casting machine and represents a small percentage of the investment required to install nylon sintering equipment. Significant cost savings can also be made on materials when compared to the sintering process.

The new technology involves the addition of a nylon module to existing vacuum casting equipment. Pigment addition and mixing operate in the normal way under vacuum into a silicone mould. The process delivers a glass filled nylon part in around 30 minutes. Alongside the speed and economic advantages of this new process, users will also benefit from the recognised benefits of the standard vacuum casting process which include exceptional surface finish and part accuracy.

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