Week 7: Molding and Casting
And how I had a multi-day operation on the Roland-SRM20
with the 1/100th inch endmill to create the SMOOTHEST
SURFACE I have ever felt.
But first things first - a how-to from Jen:
But first things first - a how-to from Jen:
Critical Components
- design - double check positives and negatives. Soft material (silicones) cast in hard material and vice versa
- design - make sure there's a hole/funnel shape for pouring in material
- design - including a lip or overhang section to peel it off helps
- design - for two part molds, having a "shell" to constrain motion is beter than tabs/pegs
- maximize - could use both sides of the wax
- material - check for hazards - some release toxic fumes
- material - it expires, especially after being opened.
- material - each part will stay viscous and hard to clean until mixed together. DO NOT let mix in container or where lid attaches or life will be sad.
- cast - use gloves, cover surface, use disposable cups & mixers, clamp things to hold them tight, dispose by mixing both parts.
- cast - make sure is WELL MIXED before
- cast - may need vacuum to help remove bubbles. Otherwise tap it down on flat surface many times
Edible squanch
My goal: make edible iterations of the "squanch" design.
Unfortunately the design went through many iterations as I realized the limitations of the endmill and the desire to include a draft so the wider section of the endmill won't crash into the mold. (it's a cone-shape then a short vertical mill section) - ensuring the model is angled helps prevent this.
I then went to mill.
Files:
FreeCAD file | Svg file
Unfortunately the design went through many iterations as I realized the limitations of the endmill and the desire to include a draft so the wider section of the endmill won't crash into the mold. (it's a cone-shape then a short vertical mill section) - ensuring the model is angled helps prevent this.
I then went to mill.
Files:
FreeCAD file | Svg file
Super Detailed
Since this was the only chance I could use the Roland before another
electronics week would kick in, I went for a super long test of the one-hundreths
inch endmill.
Tests
It works well with ice and (depending on how
you make it) chocolate. Though I
do have to warn anyone trying to microwave a
Hershey's bar to beware, it WILL burn and char
in the microwave.
I even had hallmates experiment with stuffing it with wasabi and freezing it (not pictured).
I even had hallmates experiment with stuffing it with wasabi and freezing it (not pictured).
