Hi all,
I have been asked about wax printing so I am asking here as I start to research it.
This will be mainly for low volume prints that are smaller for casting I think.
Just looking for any info or advice anyone with some experience may have!
Thanks.
Our company offers 3D printing and 3D scanning services mainly for the jewellery industry.
We started out with an Envisiontec Desktop Printer. The manufacturer states that it does not boil during burnout, a leading cause of porosity during casting among competitive products. Our experience was that some parts had perfect casting results, some were catastrophic.
Thats why we bought our first Wax printer (from 3DSystems)
The printer has a very high resolution – layers down to 16 microns (.016mm).
The melt away supports allow complex shapes not possible with the Envisiontec machine.
You have absolute freedom when you design (for Jewellery designs perfect)
The parts don’t have quite the same surface finishing like Resin and are not so durable but the casting process is perfect and simple (its 100% Wax).
our customer send all their parts with runners and lead sprues (at least the beginning of it)
Very thin and small parts are very breakable, so its not easy to transport them (send them by mail is very!! difficult)
So if you are interested in printing, keep in mind that your printing service provider maybe should also provide you with the casting .
If you want to buy, 3D Systems offers a new range of Wax printers the Projet MJP 2500W which is cheaper and office friendlier than their colleagues with very good printing resolution.
I hope I could help you at all
best wishes
Thank you for the insight.
I am afraid the shop asking about wax printing doesn’t do the burn out method but not sure yet. If I can get a reasonably steady order of parts I might be able to swing a real wax printer. Would you know if buying a used one is an ok idea or just asking for trouble?!
I think this is going to be more for smaller run castings (not jewelry at this point) where the full process is to costly.
I have found two filaments that are made for using the burn out process and seem to have good reviews.
If the seller supports after the sale with consumables, machine service and technical support you should be fine.
If it is a 3d Systems you should also get a warranty extension of some kind. The parts are very expensive and its a big investment.
Hi, I know some trick when play aroud with wax material. You can try out some setting :
- The build plate: 60 C degree
- The Nozzle temprature is ~ 240 C degree
- Print as low speed as possible, I recomend ~18mm/s
My customer did many many tests on Wax intead of PLA ( for casting).
Good luck!
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IN 3D plus
This is just straight up filament for “lost-wax” casting. About $60 a standard spool so not to bad on cost.
They need about a 260 or so burn out but apparently the burn out is clean with no ash.
I just don’t know yet if the shop does this method or only can handle true wax.
I did find a Solidscape Modelmaker II on ebay for $500. It would be a gamble since it is long discontinued but seems to be in good condition.
Just don’t know enough about it yet!
What material and brand? The couple I have looked at for “lost-wax” casting run at temps around 140-170.
Reviews were pretty good.
