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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Wingklip on Sun, 26 February 2017, 23:07:17

Title: What is the best casting mold method for metal?
Post by: Wingklip on Sun, 26 February 2017, 23:07:17

Need to find a way to make a mold, clay type or some reusable one preferably. Maybe even out of metal

Use is for casting possibly steel but mainly aluminium alloys and the like

The only one I have seen is the lossy sand cast, but I believe you could make a mold out of clay or silicone around the object I can 3d print. Please help!  :D

Title: Re: What is the best casting mold method for metal?
Post by: sinusoid on Mon, 27 February 2017, 09:01:22

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_mold_casting for the repeatable molds.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost-wax_casting for one-offs. It will let you keep sanity if you want to cast alluminium.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investment_casting is same as wax, but more general. You can transfer 3d prints to metal elements directly.

Title: Re: What is the best casting mold method for metal?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 27 February 2017, 10:07:15

There are silicones that can withstand the heat of molten pewter (tin, lead, alloys) but not aluminium.
That could then be plated afterwards if you would want another finish.

If all you want is a specific look and not the durability then you could look at "cold-casting", which is mixing metal powders into resin, cast in a silicone mould.
The result could be polished, but not nearly as well as solid metal.

Title: Re: What is the best casting mold method for metal?
Post by: Wingklip on Wed, 01 March 2017, 18:43:03

Thank you comrades, is well appreciate :thumb:

Title: Re: What is the best casting mold method for metal?
Post by: Wingklip on Fri, 03 March 2017, 23:47:33

More potato question, can you cast a 3d printed pla object directly by burning out?

Title: Re: What is the best casting mold method for metal?
Post by: sinusoid on Sat, 04 March 2017, 05:00:37

Yes, you can.
http://3dtopo.com/lostPLA/ -- this was one of the first successful attempts on the inernets afair.
https://searx.me/?q=pla%20investment%20casting&categories=general -- for more.

Title: Re: What is the best casting mold method for metal?
Post by: Wingklip on Sat, 04 March 2017, 14:54:27

Quote from: sinusoid on Sat, 04 March 2017, 05:00:37

Yes, you can.
http://3dtopo.com/lostPLA/ -- this was one of the first successful attempts on the inernets afair.
https://searx.me/?q=pla%20investment%20casting&categories=general -- for more.

Looks great! I'll defs give it a shot :)