Functional prototypes
Material properties can be selected to approximate production intent for handling, assembly, fit, and functional evaluation.
Capability 03
Cast Urethane
Production-quality parts without production tooling—ideal for functional validation, bridge builds, and low-volume demand.
Overview
Production-quality urethane components for prototypes, validation builds, and low-volume production.
Silicone tooling
Functional prototypes
Engineering validation
Alpha and beta builds
Bridge production
Low-volume production
Inserts and finishing
Process capability
Built around the cast urethane requirement.
Engineering validation
Cast urethane supports design iteration and broader testing before committing to production tooling.
Bridge production
Low-volume casting can bridge the gap while production tooling is built or while demand is still developing.
Colors and textures
Parts can be produced in a range of colors, appearances, durometers, and surface textures depending on the selected system.
Inserts and finishing
Threaded inserts, embedded hardware, painting, and other finishing requirements can be evaluated during project review.
Workflow
From master pattern to inspected part.
- 01
Master Pattern
- 02
Silicone Mold
- 03
Material Selection
- 04
Casting
- 05
Finishing
- 06
Inspection
Materials
Material options aligned to performance.
Rigid urethanesElastomeric urethanesImpact-resistant systemsClear and translucent optionsColor-matched optionsCustomer-specified properties
Applications
Made for real product requirements.
Functional prototypes
Pre-production housings
Market-test components
Flexible parts
Short-run assemblies
Appearance models
Production volumes
Prototype through production.
Best suited to low-volume requirements where production-like parts are needed without the time or investment of hard tooling.
Engineering considerations
Master pattern quality
Expected mold life
Material properties
Color and texture
Insert placement
Dimensional expectations
Quality & inspection
The drawing drives the plan.
Critical dimensions, material requirements, finish expectations, first-article needs, and documentation are reviewed against the supplied specifications before the manufacturing approach is finalized.
FAQs
Cast Urethane questions.
How is cast urethane different from injection molding?
Cast urethane uses silicone molds and is generally suited to lower volumes. Injection molding uses hard tooling and is typically selected for scalable repeat production.
Can cast urethane parts look like production parts?
They can achieve production-like color, texture, and appearance, subject to geometry, master pattern quality, and material selection.
How many parts can a silicone mold produce?
Mold yield varies with geometry, material, finish, and process conditions. FPM will evaluate the project and plan the required mold set accordingly.
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