So often you get your stl. file done and the cheap plastic from a 3d printer breaks under pressure from the way you use it.
I 3d print and then cast it in metal.
If anybody in southern Ontario would like there object cast or even multiply copies made, I also do plastic injection molding let me know.
Where are you located? I am in Niagara Falls,Ont
I’ve experienced the full gamut of plastics either failing early or withstanding amazing amounts of abuse.
no doubt there are some applications where plastics just won’t cut it, but high quality plastics help a lot. I can’t say enough good things about #MakerGeeks Maker PETG. awesome stuff that has worked for me when other plastics just couldn’t hold up.
(I’m not associated with the company, I don’t benefit from their success, I’m just a very happy customer)
High quality plastics, high quality printer, and good process. And then recognize that something built up in layers will fail at a layer boundary. Orient the print so the stresses don’t line up with the layers.
Using the print in casting is a neat upgrade. I want to get my shop built up to do that, too.
@funinthefalls
Toronto. if looking me up on google doesn’t give you my email then let me know i will ether change that or post it here.
@Michael_Rainey
Jared Eldredge
I’m glad to hear you have had success using just 3d printed plastic. The metal casting process is time and equipment intensive and dangerous (fumes, heat, poison, etc) . You may come across a situation where even high temp resin 289c is not good enough or may be flexibility is an issue or strength or …
best of luck.
Cold casting using the model you 3D printed is very effective. We printed the badges for our recycled radios on a printer, made a bunch of moulds and then cold-cast using resin with added metal powder. Very strong, looks like metal, can polish and burnish and make as many as you like. Learned how watching this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBVU3FNt-s
Obviously I failed to write enough information when i opened this post.
I use a form2 printer from formlabs with castible resin. for my investment caster the flask is 7X4inch and for my spin caster 3x12 inch (low temp metals in this one). layer boundary are not a problem in resin printers (0.025 mm)
I’m trying to get better.
The problem with the jewelry equipment I’m using is size. I have to trade going bigger for accuracy. I’m going to still 3d print with the form2 but instead of using investment or rubber with high detail I will use petrobond sand also I may try just cutting a foam positive but I’m worried that may contaminate my sand. I’ll post the results.