Indiana Arts Commission Individual Artist's Grant Project
Stereolithography and Silver Casting
I chose to make a silicone mold of the piece. You can order the parts made in a resin that can be burned out in the casting process, but I wanted the option of making multiples so I made a mold. This picture shows the part prepared for mold making. The brown object will become the pouring hole (cup) for both wax and silver. The red object will allow air to escape from the mold as it is filled (vent).
Next a clay case is made around the prepared part. This shows it before it is closed.
This shot shows a top view of the mold case.
Silicone molding compound is poured into the case. It surrounds the piece and replicates detail with a high degree of accuracy. The material sets completely in about 24 hours
This shows the mold after it is cut and the original has been removed. It was cut along a line that will allow the part to be removed easily.
Mark Parmenter 2003 White River Foundry