Master. Mold
Once the wax technician has received the explanation and understands the customer’s requirements, they will begin the process of handcrafting. In some cases, this may involve a combination of starting with a CAD design and using CNC printing as an initial step. Afterward, the piece will be carefully refined by hand. Throughout this process, the work will be periodically evaluated and inspected.
Transparent silicon
Transparent silicon
Clear silicone is a highly popular material used for making master molds, particularly due to its unique properties. Once the silicone mold is created, the material is clear and flexible, allowing visibility of the work inside. It has minimal shrinkage, usually around 0.5 to 1%, which means the finished pieces are rarely problematic. Additionally, clear silicone can be used to make molds for a wide range of materials, including resin, wax, candles, metals, and even very soft materials. However, it is currently the most expensive silicone on the market. One downside is that its lifespan may be shorter compared to other types of master molds, especially when exposed to prolonged heat or frequent use, as the silicone can degrade more easily.
silicon
Silicon
Silicone is another type of material used for mold making, which is cheaper than transparent silicone molds. However, it has some limitations in its usage. The mold must be made of metal or a durable material because it will be subjected to high heat and pressure, which could potentially damage the mold. Additionally, this type of mold has a slightly higher shrinkage rate compared to transparent silicone.
One drawback of opaque silicone is that you cannot see the workpiece inside the mold, but this is offset by its lower cost compared to transparent silicone.
rubber mold
Rubber Mold
Black rubber blocks or yellow rubber blocks were commonly used in the past but have significantly declined in usage due to their complex manufacturing process, strong odor, and high shrinkage rate. The molds used for these blocks must be made of metal or other rigid materials.
Although black rubber blocks are inexpensive, their strong smell and significant shrinkage make them less popular and gradually phased out. However, in certain cases, their shrinkage property can be utilized to an advantage. For instance, when dealing with oversized pieces that require size reduction, black rubber molds can be used to shrink the workpiece, reducing production costs without starting the manufacturing process from scratch. This approach saves both time and money.
Despite these benefits, the method is not widely favored due to the difficulty in controlling the shrinkage accurately.
Creating a master mold may seem straightforward, but the techniques and processes involved—such as setting up the sprues, mixing silicone, pouring the mold, and cutting the block—require considerable skill and expertise.
If the sprue placement is incorrect, the workpiece may not fill properly during casting, resulting in incomplete or defective pieces. Additionally, cutting the mold block requires precision to extract the mold and successfully inject wax for further casting in the kiln. Each step is crucial to achieving a flawless outcome.