Small lot production using vacuum casting. Reduces lead time and costs without molds, accommodating the needs for small quantities and diverse varieties.
The use of vacuum casting is no longer limited to "prototyping." Traditionally, vacuum casting has been primarily used during the prototyping phase, but it is now being utilized for small-scale production and market introduction as a method that matches the era of diverse small lots. In the case of injection molding, the lead time for mold production takes about 3 to 4 months, which cannot be avoided in terms of its impact on the overall development lead time. Additionally, for sites that utilize molds, responding to diversification is challenging, as molds must be prepared for each variety. Furthermore, there are many challenges such as securing storage space for molds and the complexities of maintenance. However, with vacuum casting, it is possible to produce small quantities without creating molds, which helps reduce mold investment costs and allows for market introduction in a short period.