Masters and Mould-making for Lost-Wax Production
Some customers provide their own moulds for us to use, others provide a master and leave the mould-making to us. When making a master for lost wax metal production, it pays to bear the following in mind:
- To prevent the mould rubber penetrating the master, ensure full adhesion between layers of material and components
- Do not use absorbent materials such as wood, cloth, paper or cardboard
- Make your master solid to avoid it collapsing under the vacuum that is used to make the mould bubble-free
To discuss mastering or mould making requirements, please contact us.
Addition cure silicone moulds are what we normally recommend for metal casting.
Pros:
- Dimensionally stable with little or no shrinkage
- Very good reproduction of fine detail
- Cheaper than vulcanised rubber
- Masters can be made from plastic or resin, be 3D-printed etc.
Cons:
- Slightly shorter lifespan than vulcanised rubber
Vulcanised rubber moulds can also be used.
Pros:
- Very long lifespan
- Good dimensional stability
- Very good reproduction of fine detail
Cons:
- More expensive
- Masters must be completely solid and made from hard metal