Molding and casting
This week we will work on molding and casting, I have no previous experience with this but it seems to be interesting...
The assignment was:
group assignment: review the safety data sheets for each of your molding and casting materials, then make and compare test casts with each of them compare printing vs machining molds
individual assignment: design a mold around the process you'll be using, produce it with a smooth surface finish, and use it to cast parts. extra credit: use more then two mold parts
Group assignment
For this assignment we visited the Fab Lab of the Cientifica del Sur University.
We use the shopbot cnc router to mill a block of wax.
You can see the complete documentation on the group's web page
What did I learn?
I understood the manufacturing process of positive and negative molds and the fine finish that must be achieved to have good results.
Read and apply the safety advice on the handling of chemicals for molding and casting using safety equipment such as glasses, gloves, mask, long sleeves, aprons, etc.
work with exact measurements to achieve a mixture that allows us to do the job.
Individual assignment
I started modeling a simple object "the King", the most important piece in chess, which is one of my passions. use Rhinoceros 7.0 software.
1. Draw a curve to make a revolution at 360
Modeling of the King finished.
We generate the two pieces that will make up the mold for the casting.
This is the way if you want to use direct 3D printing as a mold, one of the problems that this technique entails is that the mold is very hard and does not allow for easy manipulation.
This is the way to design and manufacture a model that will be used to cast the final mold that will be in silicone.
we print on the Ender 3 3D printer using PLA filament.
The printing time is 2 hours 19 minutes each piece and there are two pieces.
Parts printing process.
Parts printing process.
final result of 3D printing
final result of 3D printing
supplies for the mold and casting, silicone rubber for the negatives and polyester resin for the function.
To handle chemicals for molding and casting we must use safety equipment such as glasses, gloves, mask, long sleeves, aprons, etc.
Carrying out the mixing and casting of the components for the mold.
unmolding
Final result, mold with 3D printing in PLA and cast piece in polyester resin.
Final result, mold cast in RTV type 7 silicone rubber and piece cast in polyester resin.
