3D Printing Casting Trees the future that is already here. A Case Study
Why is there a need for 3D printing casting trees directly?
In this scenario, we will discuss the High-Productions environments of the Jewelry Manufacturing Industries. Repeat orders are received in practically every high-production factory, to the point where the same design is produced for months on end and the demand doesn't simply go away. Some manufacturers simply select a certain market and manufacture the same parts as other factories, using 3D printed models or vulcanized rubber molds in any of the aforementioned scenarios. Each step is not performed twice Like sorting the models and adjusting them to the wax-based casting trees. Which requires time & labor.
Printing casting trees directly can save a great deal of time and reduce this step. It could be argued that the 3D printing casting trees would require a large amount of resin because high-quality resins are more costly than wax. However, in high-production settings, time is also regarded as a commodity. The factory can accommodate more orders if it saves time on one design and more time on the other.
Is it feasible to print casting trees on any 3D Printer?
The majority of 3D printers that offer build volume can print a casting tree. But if the printer is not able print fast keeping the weights and finishing intact that defeats the whole purpose because Jewelry Manufacturers would not accept too much variation in weights of the same design. Multiple Casting Trees with a height of 200 mm may be produced in 4-5 hours at 40-60 mm/hour @ 50 microns using Rapid & ProtoX by Protospeed.
How can Jewelry Manufacturers and modern Goldsmiths adopt this practice?
To make a 3D Printing & Casting Ready Casting Tree the jewelry designer shall have a deep insight of Casting. A thorough understanding of the flow of metal at various heights is just as important to printing a casting tree as supports. With this understanding, a designer can effectively apply sprues that also act as supports. A designer will also consider the cleaning process after the casting. Supports and sprues that are harder to clean again will defeat the purpose. A designer with less knowledge of casting can take feedback from the casting department and include them in the process. Then once they go through this trial and test method and designate the final parameters. There is a guarantee for uninterrupted production.
What are the main components of a Casting Tree?
A 3D Printable Casting tree has usually as following components:
- Jewelry: The main jewelry piece which can be Ring, Balls, Chains, and pendants of which the casting tree has been prepared.
- Main Candle/Trunk: Just as a a tree's branches are connected to its main trunk, similarly Sprues are used to join each Jewellery Piece to the casting tree.
- Sprues: Sprues are channels through which metal is poured into molds by definition. But in this scenario, they also serve as support if applied strategically. They appear the same as the branches of a tree.
- Support Structures: Sometimes just sprues won’t cover every part of the jewelry piece that needs to be supported. Jewelry is reinforced with additional supports to fill in gaps or islands and strengthen the base of the casting tree.
Step by Step Tutorial for Making Casting Trees of Balls
Earrings or a necklace can be accessorized with balls in various patterns—protospeed timely Uploads tutorials to show their customers the most innovative Printing methods. Protospeed includes free, pre-supported designs with each tutorial so that users can analyze and print the designs on their own.