Xometry.pro
en – EU
Knowledge & Community
Search
K
Quote & source your parts
Europe Europe
English DeutschFrançaisItalianoEspañol
Türkiye Türkiye
English Türkçe
United Kingdom United Kingdom
English
Global Global
English
select
navigate
switch tabs
Esc close

Get Instant Quote

Use our Instant Quoting Engine to easily quote and source your parts online

Get a Quote
Back
 Profile
Menu
Materials Library
Manufacturing Stories & Cases
Articles
E-Books & Guides
Free Tools
Webinars
Free Courses
Community Discussions
Create Topic
Quote & Source Your Parts
Get a Quote

Edit topic

Home Xometry Community Manufacturing 3D printed molds for lost wax casting

3D printed molds for lost wax casting

0
D
1

Hi! As part of my latest jewelry project, I’m evaluating the feasibility of utilizing 3D printed molds for lost wax casting. I’m aiming to produce intricate designs with fine details, typically in sterling silver or gold alloys. I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience with this method, specifically regarding the best 3D printing technologies for achieving fine detail and surface quality. What design considerations should I keep in mind to avoid defects, and are there any effective post-processing techniques you’d recommend?

Link copied
Solved by Nikolaus Mroncz

Hey David, the 3D printed molds have their limitations. In my opinion one of the biggest is the heat transfer. There you work in plastics, it is quite bad and this leads to a long process cycle or sometimes errors in the outcome. It is really for prototyping. Best would be heat resistant material in SLA. My recommendation is to compare the prices on xometry.eu 

Maybe CNC could be a better option. You can choose different technologies and materials and see the price difference immediately. In Alu you have constant good outcome.

BR

    • D

      Hi! As part of my latest jewelry project, I’m evaluating the feasibility of utilizing 3D printed molds for lost wax casting. I’m aiming to produce intricate designs with fine details, typically in sterling silver or gold alloys. I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience with this method, specifically regarding the best 3D printing technologies for achieving fine detail and surface quality. What design considerations should I keep in mind to avoid defects, and are there any effective post-processing techniques you’d recommend?

      0
      Reply
    • Xometry Engineer

      Hey David, the 3D printed molds have their limitations. In my opinion one of the biggest is the heat transfer. There you work in plastics, it is quite bad and this leads to a long process cycle or sometimes errors in the outcome. It is really for prototyping. Best would be heat resistant material in SLA. My recommendation is to compare the prices on xometry.eu 

      Maybe CNC could be a better option. You can choose different technologies and materials and see the price difference immediately. In Alu you have constant good outcome.

      BR

      0
      Reply
      Link copied
3D printed molds for lost wax casting
Your information:




Suggested Topics

Topic
Replies
Views
Activity
X-ring performance on a curved face seal in a poppet valve
Manufacturing
I’m reverse-engineering a small hydraulic shutoff valve used in an industrial test stand, and I’m trying to understand whether the face-sealing setup for the poppet is causing a recurring internal leak. The poppet uses... read more
L
M
1
270
Dec 22
Laser Cutting/Die Cutting for PP Parts
Manufacturing
Hello, I have a small PP part with a thickness of 1.2mm. My initial idea was to manufacture these parts using laser cutting or die cutting, but I haven't seen these manufacturing methods among... read more
i
1
299
Dec 11
Shrink-fitting a thin stainless sleeve into a thick steel housing
Manufacturing
Hi! I’m working on a shrink-fit joint where a thin-walled 304 stainless sleeve is installed into a bored pocket in a much larger 4140 steel housing. The sleeve carries only light axial loads, but... read more
H
N
6
178
Dec 29
Feasibility of using DMLS aluminum parts for pressure-test prototypes
Manufacturing
I’m testing the idea of using DMLS Aluminum parts as pre-production prototypes for a high-pressure fluid system. These would be static housings only, not moving parts. Has anyone validated 3D-printed aluminum components under realistic... read more
A
T
1
179
Dec 30
Process for a low-volume stainless steel pump impeller
Manufacturing
Hi all, I’m designing a stainless steel impeller for a small pump (diameter around 80 mm). Would you go for metal additive manufacturing or casting if you need tight tolerances on the blades and... read more
p
c
1
353
Nov 24

Edit topic