Week 12

Introduction

This week the assignment was to design a 3D mold, machine it, and use it to cast parts.

Items used

• Machinable wax
• Roland modela
• Instamold
• Hydrostone
• water

The design

3D Modelling with Vectric Aspire

I enjoy modelling with Vectric aspire 8 since it has the capability to take a picture and transform it into a 3D model. I imported the hello world image and using modelling i was able to convert the mage into a 3D model and even alter the height and smoothness.

Since the software has a capability to convert the 3D model into an stl file i also generated an stl file and exported it.

I then proceeded to generate toolpaths found on the right side of the window. I generated both a roughing and a finishing toolpath.

I exported the toolpaths using the roland modela mdx20 postprocessor

You can download the toolpaths below

• finishing toolpath
• roughing toolpaths

Fab modules

finish cut

Making the mold

To make the mold i used instamold which is originally in powder form and is mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio.

Depending on the liquidity of the mixture i had different outcomes. The firs one was too thick hence the mould was not well defined

Casting

The casting material available in our lab is hydrostone so i went ahead to use it. Just like the instamold the mixing ratio is 1:1. The mixture. The mixture take approximately an hour to dry up and is ready for removal.

Outcome

Working with stl files

I furthet went on to try to work with stl files. I began by designing a model in onshape as shown

The model can be found in this link here

I then exported the stl file and imported it into the fab modules to convert it to a png image

On sending to the modela the following were the results

I then went ahead to the mould making stage

The outcome of the moulding process is seen below

Then i went on to cast with hydrostone casting media

The final outcome is as shown

Downloads

• image
• stl file