DIY Injection Molders
Wax injection molders are often used to make wax sculptures which can later be used in a metal casting process called lost wax casting. The wax injection molder assures that each time the part looks the same because it uses a silicon, or other rubber, mold. The molds are made by casting silicon rubber around a "master part" which can be anything that you want to copy. The master is then cut out of the silicon mold and wax can then be injected into the mold to create a wax replica of the master.
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Things You'll Need
- Master part
- 1 inch long, 1/4 inch wide plastic rod
- Plastic base plate
- Mold wall (smooth cylinder)
- Masking tape
- Wax release agent
- Silicone rubber
- Measuring cup
- Stir rod
- Sharp knife
Instructions
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1
Glue the bottom of the master part to the end of the plastic rod and then glue the other end of the rod to the center of the base plate. Your part should be suspended from the plate by the rod.
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2
Place the mold wall over the master part and tape the mold wall to the base plate with masking tape creating a watertight seal.
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3
Spray the inside of the mold wall, base plate, master part and the one inch plastic rod with wax release agent. This will keep the silicone from sticking to the part or anything else.
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4
Mix the silicone rubber in the measuring cup to whatever volume your mold wall can hold. You want around a one-inch wall thickness.
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5
Pour the silicone rubber into the mold wall and let it dry for the time designated by the manufacturer.
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6
Slide off the mold wall from the silicone and break the bond of the plastic rod to the base plate.
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7
Cut a line from the plastic rod horizontally around the entire mold to free the master part. It may take a couple cuts to get to the master part. You now have two halves of a mold.
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8
Tape the mold halves back together. The mold is complete and ready to be injected with an injection molder or you can pour molten wax into it. Remove the tape and free the part. Repeat this step as many times as you need wax parts.
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Tips & Warnings
Try other materials besides silicone rubber to get different surface finishes.
Try injecting other materials besides wax, like epoxies.
Spray wax release into the mold if wax is sticking to the mold.
Silicone can be expensive, so be prepared for the financial hit.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit full hand print on silicon image by Andrew Brown from Fotolia.com
