Casting from rapid prototypes
Posted by
Andrew Werby
on 2001-04-05 11:57:13 UTC
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 02:31:40 -0000
From: jvicars@...
Subject: Re: New Member Intro
Rod,
I have done rapid prototype castings with varied success. I will tell
you that it is very expensive and the quality can't touch that of
conventional wax molds.
[I'd agree with the first part, but not the second. The quality of the
Solidscape/Patternmaster output was right up there with carved wax models,
and it seemed to burn out perfectly. I have heard of sgnificant problems
with incomplete burnout using Z-corp models, however, and the surface is
equivalent to a sand-casting.]
You also want to make sure that you really
only want 1 or 2 of your part. If you think you will ever cast more
than around 5, then it is almost always more economical to just pay
for or make your own molds.
[Most economical would be to make one, cast it, then use that to make a
vulcanized rubber mold, if you need more than one. Of course, if it has to
fit a stone or something, then there are shrinkage factors to consider, but
that is usually the case, and RP models are easier to scale precisely.]
I will say that there seems to be some very detailed rapid prototypes
like the Stratysis, which I have never dealt with.
A typical price range is about 200 to 400 bucks per cubic inch for
rapids. Depending on the machine and the type of build etc, but that
is a good rule of thumb.
[The Stratasys models did show a little surface striation if you looked at
them closely. I'm not sure how well their ABS material burns out, or how
toxic it is when it does.]
www.computersculpture.com
Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
http://unitedartworks.com
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 02:31:40 -0000
From: jvicars@...
Subject: Re: New Member Intro
Rod,
I have done rapid prototype castings with varied success. I will tell
you that it is very expensive and the quality can't touch that of
conventional wax molds.
[I'd agree with the first part, but not the second. The quality of the
Solidscape/Patternmaster output was right up there with carved wax models,
and it seemed to burn out perfectly. I have heard of sgnificant problems
with incomplete burnout using Z-corp models, however, and the surface is
equivalent to a sand-casting.]
You also want to make sure that you really
only want 1 or 2 of your part. If you think you will ever cast more
than around 5, then it is almost always more economical to just pay
for or make your own molds.
[Most economical would be to make one, cast it, then use that to make a
vulcanized rubber mold, if you need more than one. Of course, if it has to
fit a stone or something, then there are shrinkage factors to consider, but
that is usually the case, and RP models are easier to scale precisely.]
I will say that there seems to be some very detailed rapid prototypes
like the Stratysis, which I have never dealt with.
A typical price range is about 200 to 400 bucks per cubic inch for
rapids. Depending on the machine and the type of build etc, but that
is a good rule of thumb.
[The Stratasys models did show a little surface striation if you looked at
them closely. I'm not sure how well their ABS material burns out, or how
toxic it is when it does.]
www.computersculpture.com
Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
http://unitedartworks.com