Week 14 — Molding and casting

This week’s topic: Molding and casting.

Group assignment

In Shenzhen Chaihuo, our group compared molding and casting materials through process-driven observation: material behavior, safety discipline, and controllability across repeated runs.

Work objective

This week was treated as a workflow study rather than a single casting attempt. We focused on selection criteria, safe handling, and repeatable operation from preparation to curing.

1) Silicone comparison and selection logic

We compared silicone options by viscosity and cure behavior, not just price. The key learning is that mold quality depends heavily on flow behavior and demolding convenience for the target geometry.

2) Safety as mandatory process step

Group practice showed that PPE, ventilation, and cleanup planning must be part of initial setup. Treating safety as a formal step improved consistency and reduced avoidable errors.

3) AB resin casting control points

AB resin results depend on controlled ratio, complete mixing, and stable cure conditions. Process mistakes at mixing stage often become visible as cure defects later.

Practical takeaway

• Run small pilot casts before final mold geometry.
• Select materials by behavior for detail level and release needs.
• Write PPE and ventilation into the formal procedure.
• Log ratios and timing so outcomes are reproducible.