The initial part is coated in a silicone-based liquid rubber. Once the liquid hardens, the stereolithography part is removed, and the void left behind is injected with a urethane that matches the customers specifications. Using this process, up to several copies a day can be made of the initial prototype.

Frequently Asked Questions - What materials can ProtoCAM mold? We have a variety of urethanes at our facility that can be matched to duplicate the mechanical properties of any thermoplastic. - How large can a part be? Virtually any size. ProtoCAM has already successfully molded parts over three feet in size. - What colors can be created? ProtoCAM can exactly match any color using a swatch or paint identification number. The lead time for an exact color match is three weeks; however, ProtoCAM can approximate colors immediately. - Are urethanes paintable? Yes, ProtoCAM recommends painting the parts after over-curing the part in a specific color. This will yield a better quality part finish. - What type surface finish can a part have? The common finishes are gloss, textured and matte. What temperatures can urethanes withstand? There is no standard answer to this question. Each urethane has an individual heat deflection temperature, the maximum of which is 225°F. ProtoCAM has experience in fire-retardant urethanes. - Can ProtoCAM produce prototypes with living hinges? Yes. - How many parts per day can be produced? The phrase "shoot a mold" refers to the pouring of urethane into an empty mold. Typically a mold can be shot 1-3 times per day. A single mold can sometimes produce up to 10 pieces at once. The amount of parts a mold can hold depends greatly on the part complexity and size. A urethane can be strengthened by heat treating it before removing it from the mold. This process, however, produces only one shot per day. - How does ProtoCAM price urethane parts? This varies from project to project depending on the parts' size and complexity, as well as the quantity of parts. - How many shots can a mold withstand? Typically, around 15-25 shots. This figure depends on the part size and complexity. For very complex molds, expects 10-15 shots; while for simple molds, expect 30-50 shots. - How accurate are RTV molds? As accurate as the stereolithography prototype (+/-0.005"); however, tolerances of +/-0.002" have been achieved.