Centrifugal Casting — Prototypes & Small Batch Production
Centrifugal casting is an efficient and flexible process used to produce prototypes, samples, approvals, and small production runs before moving to mass production. It allows faster turnaround times and lower tooling investment compared to steel die-casting molds, making it ideal for testing designs, validating proportions, and producing limited quantities.
This FAQ section explains how centrifugal casting works, what results to expect, its technical limits, and when it is best to transition to pressurised Zamak die casting for large-scale production.
Centrifugal casting is commonly used as a bridge between design approval and mass production.
CENTRIFUGAL CASTING — PROTOTYPES & SMALL BATCHES FAQs
Why choose centrifugal casting?
It’s the fastest and most flexible way to produce prototypes and small batches: ideal for testing, approvals, sampling, and validating size/shape before investing in steel tooling.
What kind of “master sample” can you use to create the silicone mold?
We can work from:
- Metal samples
- Resin samples
- 3D printed plastic samples (great for confirming the shape and quickly making the silicone mold, but please note that the surface finish can be a limitation—these samples often aren’t perfectly smooth, which may affect the result).
What is the process from sample to production?
- You send the master sample (or we produce it)
- We create the silicone mold from the sample
- We cast the parts with centrifugal casting
- We do manual finishing and tumbling as required
- Galvanic finishing (plating) through our partner
Is centrifugal casting suitable for high-precision products?
Not the best choice for high-precision parts—especially items that must fit into each other with tight tolerances or complex assemblies.
What kind of assemblies work well with this process?
Simple, easy assemblies are usually fine. If the product has few fitting points and doesn’t require ultra-tight tolerances, the results are typically very good.
How close are prototypes to final zamak die-casting (presso-fusione) production?
They are near-final in look and feel, but dimensional precision can vary slightly compared to die-casting with steel molds.
What designs give the best results with silicone molds?
Silicone molds capture shapes extremely well—especially organic forms, rounded volumes, and curved surfaces.
Generally, the more curves, the better the result.
Are sharp edges and perfectly flat surfaces possible?
Yes, they’re possible—but they can affect the perceived sharpness and precision of the final part. If your project requires very crisp edges or extremely tight flatness tolerances, we’ll recommend a different process or additional finishing.
What are the quality limits compared to other processes?
Centrifugal casting can achieve excellent quality, but it often requires more manual finishing than die casting. That extra hand-work is what can push the price higher than presso-fusione in some cases.
When is it better to use presso-fusione (die-casting)
If the project requires:
- High precision / tight tolerances
- Parts that must interlock precisely
- Very large volumes over time
…then presso-fusione (steel mold)
Why can centrifugal casting become expensive for large volumes?
Because the molds are silicone, they have a shorter lifespan and they age/consume over time. To keep the best results, it’s often necessary to make new molds, which adds cost—unlike steel molds used in die-casting.
What quantities does this process support?
It’s perfect for prototypes and small/medium batches. It’s not the most cost-effective solution for very large ongoing production.
What is the typical production time?
It depends on the item and finishing, but as a reference, 100–500 pcs can usually be produced in one day once the mold is ready.
Can you speed up production in urgent cases?
Yes. If needed, we can produce multiple silicone molds. Our machines can run up to 8 molds, which can significantly speed up output for urgent deliveries.
If I provide my own sample, will the final part match it exactly?
We can use your sample, but please note that the final product’s measurements and weight may be slightly reduced (minor shrinkage can happen in the molding/casting process). We’ll advise you on allowances before production.
Do you copy other brands’ samples?
No. We do not accept samples from other brands to reproduce them, and we do not copy third-party designs.
Do you protect the client designs you produce?
Yes. We treat our customers’ items as protected production: we don’t sell your design to other clients, and we respect the confidentiality of what we manufacture.
Can prototypes be plated/finished?
Yes. Prototypes can be finished and plated for presentation, market testing, or wear/usage testing.