Cursor walkthrough for updating dome documentation with images, videos, and summaries.
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General commands for cursor
— for each image or video add a caption and description.
— make all the text professional and succinct without losing key details
— make the information as organized and as aesthetically pleasing as possible
— don't just take my notes from the prompt, refine it before putting it on the page
specific tasks:
a) update where we stopped on domes in week9.html with these images and videos in order in a new subsubsection under Dome called Dome Demolding, following the same guidelines, captions, step-by-step process, update summaries, etc. (make sure to make the dome demolding steps clear Putty knife around/under, then
Double putty knife push up where putty knife first so screw driver doesn’t chip corner until enough space for screwdriver to only chip on the inside if needed
Screw driver slowly all around
Then just slid off)
topopt-dome-removal-1.jpeg
base-dome-removal-1.jpeg
right-left-removal-domes.jpeg
putty-knife-screwdriver-height.jpeg
putty-knife-push-1.mp4
putty-knife-push-2.mp4
screwdriver-all-around.jpeg
screwdriver-all-around.mp4
demolded-topopt-dome.jpeg
demolded-base-dome.jpeg
demolded-domes.jpeg
b) add third highlights row (and link to exactly where the images are on the page)
left column: double-clamped-molds-2.jpeg (header title: 3 part dome molds)
Snapshot of this week’s molding and casting milestones.
Material Trials and Safety Reviews
Group SDS review and Anthony’s lion casting demo informed our material tests.
Machining Kryptonite Arrow Mold
Wax machining, silicone molding, and Drystone casting workflow.
Ancient Roman Dome (Pantheon model)
Side-by-side domes: Drystone (left) and Play-Doh (right) domes.
Aging Bone Encapsulation for Testing
Cured epoxy mounts indexed for downstream biomechanical testing.
Kryptonite Arrow Dimensional Check
Finished Kryptonite arrow verified against scale targets.
Toothless Tyrannosaurus Rock
Playful gypsum casting celebrating the dinosaur-themed mold.
3 part dome molds
Cross-clamping locked alignment before the Drystone pour.
Clamped drystone casting
Parallel pours hit matching fill heights on both domes.
Base and topology optimized domes
Final demold showcased the matched finish across both domes.
Week Overview
Wax machining, silicone casting, gypsum and fusible alloys, and deliberate process control for repeatable parts.
Focus
Machine a precise wax mold, pour a silicone tool without flashing, and cast durable Kryptonite arrow parts that hide CAM toolpaths.
Key Skills
Registration design, silicone handling discipline, gypsum mixture prep, low-melt alloy safety, and 3D adaptive CAM tuning.
Deliverables
Group SDS review with material trials, recitation summary, training digest, and an individual wax–silicone–drystone workflow for the Kryptonite arrow mold.
Primary references for molding and casting workflows, materials, and safety.
Class Page Insights
The MIT Molding & Casting overview consolidates process types (injection, vacuum, blow, rotational), mold materials (wax, foams, silicones, latex, thermosets), additives for performance tuning, and safety expectations around ventilation, PPE, and SDS review (academy.cba.mit.edu).
Vendor shortlist for silicones, plasters, cements, and alloys (Smooth-On, Reynolds, USG, RotoMetals).
Detailed process notes on mixing, degassing, filling, bubble mitigation, curing modes, demolding, and storage.
Safety primers: release agents, SDS checks, ventilation requirements, and equipment for hot-metal pours.
Key reminders from the molding & casting training Slack update (Slack).
Material & Mold Prep
Standard wax blanks are 1.5"×3"×7"; request approval from Anthony before exceeding that footprint.
Registration features must be calculated so mold halves align; shoot for ≥5 mm wall thickness (0.2").
Silicone options: Mold Star 15 or 30 (1A:1B mix, up to 450 °F service temp). Casting media: Hydro-Stone, Drystone, Roto281 alloy, or colored epoxies.
Mixing, Pouring, Safety
Proof the mold box with water before pouring to confirm a watertight seal; hot glue foamcore or acrylic seams.
Gloves on for every pour. Pre-mix components in their bottles, then combine viscous part first, scrape walls, and mix until streak-free.
Pour in a steady, thin stream, tap up to one minute to vent bubbles, monitor exotherm with an IR thermometer, and accelerate curing with heat lamps only if material allows.
For Drystone: target 20 mL water per 100 g powder; add water after the powder to avoid clumping and mix to “organic peanut butter” consistency.
Roto281 metal pours require long sleeves, face shields, and coordination with shop staff.
Molding & Casting CAM Walkthrough
Anthony’s Fusion 360 refresher covers feeds, speeds, and tool changes for machining the standard wax block.
Video: Fusion workflow for milling a 1.5"×3"×7" wax block — tooling presets, adaptive clearing, flat passes, and probing routines (Vimeo).
Assignments
Group Review SDS for every molding and casting material, run comparative test casts, and document process trade-offs.
Individual Design and machine a mold that finishes cleanly, cast functional parts, and hide or polish away machining artifacts. Extra credit for multi-part tooling.
Tools & Materials
CAM Fusion 360 adaptive + finishing strategies for wax.
Tooling ¼" and ⅛" flat end mills, touch probe, hot glue fixturing.
Mold Materials Mold Star 15/30 silicone, beeswax for sealing.
Casting Media Hydro-Stone, Drystone, Roto281 fusible alloy, tintable epoxies.
Group Assignment · Material Comparisons
Our team benchmarked molding and casting materials by walking through SDS requirements, mixing behaviour, and finished-part characteristics.
Mold Materials
Material
Key Specs
Safety & Handling
Docs
Mold Star 15 SLOW
1A:1B by volume; 50 min pot life; 4 hr demold; Shore A 15.
Silicone molds need generous draft and oversized pour spouts; avoid deep undercuts or trapped silicone by reorienting the part or splitting the mold further.
Workholding for wax favors three-point hot-glue fixtures; warm the beeswax skin with a heat gun, flood seams, then re-melt and drain for a thin uniform barrier.
Clamp or rubber-band mold halves and enlarge pour holes so viscous materials do not trap air; keep sacrificial “stock buttons” to test cure before demolding the part.
Hydro-Stone excels in structural casts; Drystone captures detail but needs thicker walls; Roto281 is slated for a later hot-metal demo once PPE logistics are finalised.
Group Test Casts
SDS reinforcementClogged-sink demo underscored the need to dispose of gypsum solids properly.Drystone baselineInitial mix captured small features and set expectations for curing time.Edge refinementSecond pour validated vent sizing adjustments for sharper edges.Optimized workflowFinal test achieved bubble-free surfaces aligned with production targets.
Summary
Progressive Drystone trials, captured here, validated the draft, venting, and disposal guidance outlined in Process Observations and informed the individual dome pours in Dome & Coil Casting Studies.
Group Materials Inventory
Silicone selectionMold Star 15 Slow chosen for long pot life during group demonstrations.Component stagingPre-weighed bottles streamlined 1A:1B mixing during demos.Gypsum stockDrystone inventory documented for future restocking and SDS reference.Silicone blendingPart A pre-mixed to homogenize fillers before combining with part B.Part B integrationPart B was folded in slowly to minimize bubble formation.Gypsum mixingDrystone was sifted into water to achieve the peanut-butter consistency noted in training.Wax prepWax melting ensured consistent mold release, mirroring the dome workflow.Surface conditioningUniform coating prevented adhesion during silicone pours.Silicone pourTeam pour demo reinforced steady-stream technique and tapping cadence.
Quick-reference notes distilled from the manufacturer safety data sheets reviewed this week. Always consult the full SDS before working and keep copies accessible at the workstation.
Mold Star 15/30 (Smooth‑On) — Part B contains amines that can cause skin sensitisation; wear nitrile gloves and avoid splashes to eyes/skin. Provide ventilation to disperse vapours, keep containers sealed, and clean uncured spills with absorbent material (do not wash down the sink). First aid: wash exposed skin with soap and water for 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation persists.
USG Hydro-Stone — Fine gypsum dust is a respiratory irritant; use N95 (or better) dust mask during weighing and dry cleanup, and wear safety goggles to prevent alkaline slurry splashes. Wet material generates heat as it sets—do not place hands in a curing batch and dispose of hardened plaster in solid waste, never in drains.
USG Drystone — Similar gypsum-based hazards: avoid breathing dust, wash skin after contact, and protect eyes from slurry. Mixture can dry skin; apply moisturizer after cleanup. Store sealed in a dry area to prevent premature hydration that degrades strength.
RotoMetals Roto281 Alloy — Molten metal (281 °F melt) produces hot splatter; wear face shield, long sleeves, leather gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Use in a well-ventilated space to avoid metal fumes, keep water away from melt pots to prevent steam explosions, and cool solid ingots before handling. First aid: cool burns with water, do not remove stuck metal, and seek immediate medical care.
Select Mold Star 15/30 for silicone tooling (450 °F rated).
Mold Star mixes 1A:1B; degas by tapping, avoid overhangs beyond what can demold.
Pour Planning
Ensure watertight mold box; pre-measure volume; pour viscous part first.
Mix inside bottles to homogenize; steady stream pour; tap ≤1 min; monitor exotherm.
Surface Prep & Assembly
Apply thin beeswax film; clamp or band mold; enlarge pour spouts.
Avoid thick wax layers (lose detail); big pour holes ease Drystone or metal fills.
Comparing Mold-Making Processes
Method
Strengths
Trade-offs
3D-Printed Molds
Fastest to fabricate; easy to iterate geometry; can print complex draft-less shapes.
Requires laborious post-processing—epoxy or wax skim coats to hide layer lines; surface quality depends on print settings.
CNC-Machined Molds
Excellent surface finish directly off the tool; precise registration; minimal hand cleanup.
Longer setup time and CAM effort; limited by cutter reach and allowable overhangs.
Hand-Sculpted Wax
Quick for simple geometries; easy to tweak by hand.
Only suitable for low-temperature casting media (wax deforms with heat); surface quality depends on sculpting skill.
Negative vs. Positive Mold Workflows
Workflow
Steps
When to Use
Negative Molds (Direct Cast)
1. Create rigid negative mold 2. Pour casting material directly into that mold.
Ideal for rigid molds that tolerate casting temperature—e.g., wax dome cast in Hydro-Stone. Fewer steps but mold must release final part.
Positive-to-Negative Molds (Flexible Insert)
1. Machine or sculpt positive master 2. Cast flexible negative (e.g., silicone) from the master 3. Pour final casting into the flexible mold.
Best for complex undercuts or when repeated casts are needed—e.g., silicone mold for the Kryptonite arrow. Added step but protects master and simplifies demolding.
Comparing Test Casts
Casting Material
Mix / Melt
Strength & Finish
Field Notes
Hydro-Stone
32:100 water to powder (by weight).
Robust, handles drops; needs thicker sections.
Great for load-bearing parts; mix to smooth slurry, avoid over-thinning.
Drystone
20 mL water per 100 g powder.
Captures detail; thin features brittle.
Target peanut-butter texture; keep witness stock to gauge cure without denting final part.
Roto281 Alloy
Melt at 281 °F (58% Bi / 42% Sn).
High detail, reusable; requires PPE.
Needs face shield & long sleeves; keep water away; perfect for gravity-fed sprues.
Epoxy Resins
Follow bottle-specific ratios; tint with approved dyes.
Durable, customizable color.
Longer cure; dye compatibility varies—check brand guidance before mixing.
Sandcasting Metals
Gold or alloys poured into sand or plaster molds.
Suitable for high-temp pours.
Requires dedicated foundry workflow; consider for future metal runs after silicone tooling.
Designing, machining, and casting a Kryptonite arrow replica while maintaining crisp mold finishes and production-ready registration features.
Kryptonite Arrow Mold
Kryptonite Arrow Molding
Documenting the wax machining, silicone molding, and Drystone casting plan for the week9/designfiles/kryptonite_arrow_merged.stl model.
Model dimensions in Fusion: overall length 1384.053 mm (scaled down to fit the wax block), tip-to-core 172.66 mm, width 50.196 mm, thickness 21.691 mm (half height 10.846 mm).
Final scale factor: 0.11 to respect wax clearance; envelope stays within 1.5"×3"×7" with ≥0.2" (≈5 mm) walls on every side.
Registration bosses sized 6.3 mm (left), 6.1 mm (right/bottom), 5.9 mm (top) to ensure positive alignment while avoiding interference.
Fusion 360 CAM Strategy
Tools: 0.25" flat (2.5" OAL, 1.25" flute) for adaptive and flat; 0.125" flat (1.5" OAL, 1.25" flute) for rest machining, parallel, and pencil.
3D Adaptive Clearing: 12,000 RPM; 120 IPM cutting/lead/transition; 80 IPM ramp/plunge; max stepdown 0.4"; fine stepdown 0.04"; order by area; feed optimisation on; minimum retraction; 12° ramp.
0.25" Flat Finish: limit to wall faces as avoid surfaces; feed optimisation on; minimum retraction.
0.125" Rest/Parallel/Pencil: 12,000 RPM; 90–100 IPM cutting; 30–33.3 IPM ramp; rest machining threshold 0.008"; perpendicular passes with 0.01" stepover; shortest path retraction; pencil with two stepovers.
Expected runtime ≈4.5 minutes after tool changing and probing.
Machining Workflow
Fixture wax using three hot-glued touch points; leave wax skinned with beeswax, then reflow to create a thin seal.
Power-up sequence: home machine, load Tool 1 at 1.5" stick-out, probe XY with MTC, probe Z with touch plate, enable spindle (Relay 1), start at 50% feed, ramp to 150% if chipload and sound stay stable.
Swap to 0.125" tool, re-probe Z, set tool index 2, restart program at 50% feed, bring spindle speed to 115% to suppress chatter.
Post-machining: release dust shoe, scrape glue pads with a putty knife, and pop off wax after scoring with a utility knife.
Silicone & Casting Plan
Seal mold box, verify volume with water, then mix Mold Star 15 (1A:1B) in graduated cups; pour the more viscous part first, then the lighter part.
Target 220 mL total silicone (110 mL per part) based on water displacement; pour from one corner, maintain a thin stream, and tap for ~60 seconds to release bubbles.
Clamp halves with rubber bands; keep the sprue oversized to support Drystone or Hydro-Stone pours.
Drystone batch: 100 g powder, 20 mL water, optional epoxy dye (not recommended—dyes can retard cure). Monitor a companion “stock button” to check set without damaging the part.
Casting Workflow Refinement
Domes
Melt the wax charge in a disposable cup until fully liquefied.
Brush molten wax across the mold cavity to coat all surfaces evenly.
Hold the mold at 100 °C, pour out excess wax, and retain a uniform skin.
Clamp the mold halves to lock registration before introducing casting media.
Pour the Drystone mix steadily to avoid trapped air pockets.
Arrow
Clamp silicone mold halves to maintain gate alignment.
Brush a Mold Star slurry into thin detail regions to pre-wet features.
Re-clamp to capture the slurry film and reinforce the seal.
Pour the main batch through the sprue and chase vents until the cavity floods.
Arrow Mold · Machining
Fixturing layoutThree-point hot glue pads were mapped to keep the wax blank stable during probing.Wax securedThe wax blank was leveled and sealed to prevent vibration during adaptive clearing.Program loadedVerified the tool library, zeroes, and feed overrides prior to cycle start.Adaptive clearing in actionRoughing pass removed the bulk of the stock while chip evacuation stayed clean.Demolding from fixtureScored seams and gentle leverage released the wax without damaging the surface.Post-machining inspectionWax detail captured the fin geometry ready for silicone replication.Surface cleanupCompressed air and a soft brush cleared residual chips, protecting the silicone surface finish.
Summary
Machining validated fixture stability and surface quality, providing a master wax that directly enabled the silicone pour documented in Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring and ensured alignment with the wax-handling guidelines outlined in Casting Workflow Refinement.
Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring Silicone
Fully blended Mold StarEqual-volume parts A and B achieved a streak-free mix before de-gassing taps.Controlled pourThin-stream pour propagated from the lowest corner to minimize trapped air.Pouring sequenceVideo walkthrough shows tap-set cycles and sprue top-offs to chase bubbles.
Initial peelGentle finger pressure lifted the cured silicone without gouging the wax master.Progressive releaseSequential lifting freed the silicone while keeping fin detail intact.Final separationComplete removal revealed accurate registration sockets for casting.Bottom half reviewBottom shell shows crisp pour channels ready for Drystone.Top half reviewTop half preserved the arrow profile and vent geometry with zero tears.
Final casting run captured the full kryptonite arrow workflow: silicone mold conditioning, a 2,000 g Drystone batch hydrated with 400 mL of water, careful demolding, and precision finishing.
Mold alignmentSilicone halves were banded and shored to maintain sprue alignment before the slurry coat.Detail wet-outThin slurry locked into fine grooves to prevent trapped air in the primary pour.Primary pourMain batch chased vents until the cavity flooded and surface bubbles were cleared.Cure checkA firm set after the timed cure confirmed the 2,000 g to 400 mL ratio hit target viscosity.Initial releaseFirst peel verified the slurry layer and vent paths disengaged without tearing.Complete demoldFinal lift released the fins cleanly, preserving the wax master for reuse.Stabilized castingApplied thin CA glue to seal microfractures before trimming overflow with flush cutters.Edge refinementNeedle files tuned the fin trailing edges while preserving leading-edge crispness.Final presentationSurface polish and edge cleanup delivered the desired hero prop finish.Dimensional verificationFinal inspection confirmed length and fin span matched the scaled CAD intent.
Sequence Summary
Secured the silicone tool and brushed a Drystone slurry to wet out fine detail.
Mixed 2,000 g of Drystone with 400 mL water to a yogurt consistency, then flooded the mold through sprue and vents.
Timed the cure, recorded staged demolding, and preserved fin integrity with controlled peel sequencing.
Stabilized the casting with thin CA glue before trimming flash and dressing edges with fine files.
Validated overall dimensions, confirming readiness for finishing and display.
Dome & Coil Casting Studies
Two-part dome shellInitial two-part dome mold defined curvature and pour gates.Coil reinforcementAdded coil insert supports the Pantheon-inspired coffering.Pour and vent planSprue and vent layout balanced flow and air escape.Core assemblyInner core sculpted to preserve hollow dome geometry.Side shell AFirst dome side captured the oculus recess with clean draft.Side shell BMatching side ensured even wall thickness across the dome.Alignment checkDry-fit confirmed registration before committing to wax skin coating.Seal inspectionSecondary angle verified no daylight at the seam.Clamped assemblyRatchet clamps distributed pressure to keep joints sealed while pouring.Drystone ratioScale confirmed the 100 g to 20 mL mix documented in class.Drystone pourContinuous pour filled the cavity while vents released trapped air.Demolding domeControlled release preserved the wax liner for reuse.Drystone resultsCompleted domes show consistent thickness and smooth oculus edges.Base refinementBase trimming delivered a stable display surface.Play-Doh rehearsalCollaborative Play-Doh pour rehearsed timing before gypsum casting.Formed rehearsalFormwork captured key dimensions before thermal trials.Manual shapingHand forming refined curvature prior to trimming.Play-Doh mold outputRehearsal dome confirmed registration before final materials.Trimming rehearsalKnife trimming removed excess Play-Doh to mirror gypsum cleanup.Cast rehearsal productFinished Play-Doh part validated the workflow ahead of kiln tests.Pre-bake reviewSurface inspection ensured no cracks before oven curing.Post-bake stabilityBaked dome held form, validating heat tolerance for finishing.Core dryingVent channels released residual moisture to avoid warping.
Dome
Wax pre-coatMold cavities received a uniform wax skin before thermal leveling.Wax chargeFresh beeswax pellets melted down to recharge the brushes between coats.Melting workflowVideo walkthrough shows staged melting to avoid scorching the wax.Brush applicationMolten beeswax brushed across the mold to build a smooth release film.Ready meltHeld wax at a pourable viscosity to maintain consistent coating thickness.Tool layoutDedicated brushes and collection trays kept wax contamination off the molds.Thinning passReheating the surface thinned the wax to an even satin finish.Pour stagingParallel setups allowed synchronized pours to hit the target density.Release agentThree coats of release were applied with five-minute flash times between passes.Initial clampPrimary clamps secured the seam prior to adding perpendicular reinforcement.Secondary bracingPerimeter clamps distributed compression across the equator.Clamp cross-checkAlternate angle verified even pressure across the seam.Leveling passLevel referenced the sprue to guarantee an even fill height.Parallel poursSynchronous pours ensured both domes reached identical density.Edge sealingRe-waxed seam edges to lock in the mix during the exotherm.Mold 1 fillFirst dome reached the exact fill height without overflow.Mold 2 fillSecond dome mirrored the fill height, preserving batch parity.Overnight cureAssemblies rested overnight to reach handling strength without distortion.
Sequence Summary
Built a uniform wax barrier, melting fresh beeswax and brushing multiple coats before thinning to a satin finish.
Staged dual pour stations, alternating mold release coats while mixing 1,500 g of Drystone with staged 300 mL + 30 mL + 30 mL water additions for yogurt consistency.
Sequentially tightened clamps—primary, secondary, then triple leveling—to lock registration and maintain parting-line pressure.
Poured both domes in parallel, sealed seams with hot wax touch-ups, and confirmed fill height on each mold.
Allowed an overnight cure before demolding, ensuring consistent density and surface finish for the twin domes.
Summary
Wax-coated mold halves, balanced venting, and rehearsed Play-Doh trials produced repeatable Drystone domes, while the end-to-end process captured in Dome Casting Sequence demonstrates disciplined wax prep, staggered hydration, and clamp management that mirror the silicone handling in Casting Workflow Refinement · Domes and the pre-wetting strategy in Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring Silicone.
Mirror Screen Coating Trials
Fixture setupOLED screen secured inside the Kurt J. Lesker chamber for even coating.Plasma phaseChamber plasma confirmed proper vacuum and deposition parameters.Coating resultsFinished mirrors show uniform reflectivity ready for integration.
Summary
PVD setup and plasma verification yielded evenly coated OLED mirrors, providing a surface reference for the silicone casting finish targeted in Arrow Mold · Demolding Silicone and the dome polish seen in Dome & Coil Casting Studies.
Mouse Bone Encapsulation Prep
Isolating tibia samples from 1-, 15-, and 25-month C57BL/6 female mice to compare age-dependent mechanical properties required controlled epoxy encapsulation.
Tibia inventoryCartilage-cleared tibiae sorted by age cohort prior to potting.Release agentMold release selected to protect bones during epoxy extraction.Hardener specificationLow-exotherm hardener chosen to avoid thermal damage to aged samples.Resin selectionClear casting resin chosen to enable optical inspection post-cure.Mold preparationUniform spray ensured effortless demolding of the encapsulated bones.Precision mixingStoichiometric mix safeguarded mechanical integrity for subsequent testing.Encapsulation pourBones submerged gently to avoid microbubble entrapment before curing.
Bone
Unmounting cured samplesGentle leverage freed the epoxy pucks while protecting the embedded tibiae.Mounted for testingCured mounts labeled by age group and staged for mechanical assays.
Sequence Summary
Released the cured epoxy slugs with alternating pry points to avoid stressing the tibia interfaces.
Indexed each mount, confirmed bubble-free encapsulation, and queued samples for biomechanical testing.
Repurposed the dinosaur silicone mold to cast a toothless “rock” mascot, tuning clamp force to protect the delicate jawline while celebrating the Kryptonite arrow narrative.
Mold fillDinosaur cavity flooded with the Drystone batch while tapping chased bubbles from the teeth.Vertical cureSuspended the mold to relieve pressure on the jawline during the initial set.Clamp assistLight clamps maintained seam compression without distorting the snout.Toothless revealFinal casting emerged with rounded features ready for finishing glaze.Scale comparisonArrow prop displayed alongside the dinosaur rock to highlight narrative cohesion.Performance testPlayful motion test confirmed the cast withstands handling for demos.Durability checkLight-hearted clip shows the “toothless” jaw resisting chips even without enamel.
Sequence Summary
Flooded the dinosaur mold and tapped out bubbles, focusing on the facial features.
Hung the tool during gelation, then transferred to a lightly clamped cradle to finish curing without seam creep.
Demolded and presented the toothless rock, pairing it with the arrow prop to confirm scale and storytelling.
Ran handling demos that double as durability checks before sealing the surface.
Summary
Creative reuse of the dinosaur mold produced a durable “toothless” mascot that showcases finishing consistency with the Arrow Casting · Finishing Sequence and extends the storytelling from the dome and bone studies.
Final mold envelopeComposite view confirming the scaled Kryptonite arrow comfortably fits the wax stock while preserving registration bosses.Concept baselineInitial STL import prior to scaling showcased the silhouette and informed draft angle planning.Span verificationPrecise horizontal checks ensured the arrow stayed within the 7-inch wax travel limits.Parting strategyUsing a projection plane to define the parting split prevented undercuts before machining.Half-model isolationClean split of the geometry produced machinable halves without internal voids.Thickness clearanceVertical caliper checks confirmed flute reach and the 5 mm wax wall buffer.Wax block fitA dedicated bounding block quantified machineable allowance before toolpathing.Base plane creationA leveled base ensured consistent Z probing and located the pour sprue.Registration geometryPerimeter walls and pins locked mold halves against lateral drift.Work coordinate systemOrigin placed at the wax corner aligned CAM operations with the Bantam workflow.Heights sanity checkFusion’s heights inspector validated safe retracts above clamp hardware.Adaptive toolpath3D adaptive pattern densified around fins to reduce scalloping before finishing.Roughing stock modelStock preview confirmed consistent scallop height for subsequent flat passes.Flat finish setupA quarter-inch flat traced planar faces to erase adaptive step marks.Flat finish resultSimulation showed smooth flats ahead of the rest machining step.Fine flat cleanupSecondary flat operation focused on root regions prone to chatter.Fine flat verificationRest machining volume dropped significantly after the second flat pass.Parallel finishingDense stepover parallel passes polished the curved fins and core.Pencil cleanupPencil passes targeted the seams to preserve crisp edges.
Operation simulationToolpath simulation confirmed safe clearances before committing to machining.Before vs. after stockComparison playback highlighted material removal efficiency across passes.
Summary
CAD refinements locked the envelope, parting line, and fixtures, while CAM simulations qualified adaptive, flat, and pencil strategies used downstream in Arrow Mold Machining and informed the silicone pour volumes documented in Casting Workflow Refinement.
Green Arrow’s Kryptonite arrow contingency doubles as a personal reminder: “You have failed this city” becomes “I will not fail this class.” The kryptonite arrow reminds us that even the strongest heroes need someone who can keep them in check, and is a symbol for me to always remember to keep moving forward, no matter what!
Video: Green Arrow highlight reel. If link fails, search "Green Arrow you have failed this city."
Lore Snapshot
First appearance in The Dark Knight Returns (1986): one-armed Oliver Queen fires a Kryptonite-tipped arrow to weaken Superman.
Recurring contingency in mainline comics and television — Cisco gifts Oliver the arrowhead in Arrow S4E8, and it finally sees action against Overgirl in the Crisis on Earth-X crossover.
The arrow symbolises preparedness, human ingenuity, and accountability among heroes — a reminder to double-check assumptions and keep the team safe.
Collective material trials, consolidated in Group Assignment Summary, set the safety and mixing playbook that the individual workflows in Individual Assignment Summary expanded into detailed arrow, dome, mirror, and biomedical casts.
Contributions
Training & Demos
Huge thanks to Anthony for the detailed molding-and-casting training session and the lion casting demo that informed our safety reminders.
Dome Design Support
Appreciation to James and the 1.583 course staff—Prof. Josephine Carstensen and TAs Hajin and Dat—for guidance on the Pantheon dome concept.
Mold Strategy
Shout-out to Omar Al Dajani’s shuriken documentation for sparking the two-part mold plan, and to Anthony for helping translate that into a reliable three-part mold workflow.
Ethical AI Use
Lore Research
ChatGPT helped compile Kryptonite arrow canon and symbolism for the motivation section. Transcript: Kryptonite Arrow Lore.
Cursor Session · Week 9 Recitation Prep
Documented AI-assisted recap of Quentin Bolsee’s recitation notes, later refined into the highlights and training sections.
Tracked the Cursor-led sprint for sequencing images, captions, and highlights throughout this page; prompts and responses validated every media addition and subsummary.
Other AI-assisted tasks from earlier weeks remain documented in their respective pages; no additional generative content was used beyond rewriting notes for clarity.
Snapshot of this week’s molding and casting milestones.
Material Trials and Safety Reviews
Group SDS review and Anthony’s lion casting demo informed our material tests.
Machining Kryptonite Arrow Mold
Wax machining, silicone molding, and Drystone casting workflow.
Ancient Roman Dome (Pantheon model)
Side-by-side domes: Drystone (left) and Play-Doh (right) domes.
Aging Bone Encapsulation for Testing
Cured epoxy mounts indexed for downstream biomechanical testing.
Kryptonite Arrow Dimensional Check
Finished Kryptonite arrow verified against scale targets.
Toothless Tyrannosaurus Rock
Playful gypsum casting celebrating the dinosaur-themed mold.
3 part dome molds
Cross-clamping locked alignment before the Drystone pour.
Clamped drystone casting
Parallel pours hit matching fill heights on both domes.
Base and topology optimized domes
Final demold showcased the matched finish across both domes.
Week Overview
Wax machining, silicone casting, gypsum and fusible alloys, and deliberate process control for repeatable parts.
Focus
Machine a precise wax mold, pour a silicone tool without flashing, and cast durable Kryptonite arrow parts that hide CAM toolpaths.
Key Skills
Registration design, silicone handling discipline, gypsum mixture prep, low-melt alloy safety, and 3D adaptive CAM tuning.
Deliverables
Group SDS review with material trials, recitation summary, training digest, and an individual wax–silicone–drystone workflow for the Kryptonite arrow mold.
Primary references for molding and casting workflows, materials, and safety.
Class Page Insights
The MIT Molding & Casting overview consolidates process types (injection, vacuum, blow, rotational), mold materials (wax, foams, silicones, latex, thermosets), additives for performance tuning, and safety expectations around ventilation, PPE, and SDS review (academy.cba.mit.edu).
Vendor shortlist for silicones, plasters, cements, and alloys (Smooth-On, Reynolds, USG, RotoMetals).
Detailed process notes on mixing, degassing, filling, bubble mitigation, curing modes, demolding, and storage.
Safety primers: release agents, SDS checks, ventilation requirements, and equipment for hot-metal pours.
Key reminders from the molding & casting training Slack update (Slack).
Material & Mold Prep
Standard wax blanks are 1.5"×3"×7"; request approval from Anthony before exceeding that footprint.
Registration features must be calculated so mold halves align; shoot for ≥5 mm wall thickness (0.2").
Silicone options: Mold Star 15 or 30 (1A:1B mix, up to 450 °F service temp). Casting media: Hydro-Stone, Drystone, Roto281 alloy, or colored epoxies.
Mixing, Pouring, Safety
Proof the mold box with water before pouring to confirm a watertight seal; hot glue foamcore or acrylic seams.
Gloves on for every pour. Pre-mix components in their bottles, then combine viscous part first, scrape walls, and mix until streak-free.
Pour in a steady, thin stream, tap up to one minute to vent bubbles, monitor exotherm with an IR thermometer, and accelerate curing with heat lamps only if material allows.
For Drystone: target 20 mL water per 100 g powder; add water after the powder to avoid clumping and mix to “organic peanut butter” consistency.
Roto281 metal pours require long sleeves, face shields, and coordination with shop staff.
Molding & Casting CAM Walkthrough
Anthony’s Fusion 360 refresher covers feeds, speeds, and tool changes for machining the standard wax block.
Video: Fusion workflow for milling a 1.5"×3"×7" wax block — tooling presets, adaptive clearing, flat passes, and probing routines (Vimeo).
Assignments
Group Review SDS for every molding and casting material, run comparative test casts, and document process trade-offs.
Individual Design and machine a mold that finishes cleanly, cast functional parts, and hide or polish away machining artifacts. Extra credit for multi-part tooling.
Tools & Materials
CAM Fusion 360 adaptive + finishing strategies for wax.
Tooling ¼" and ⅛" flat end mills, touch probe, hot glue fixturing.
Mold Materials Mold Star 15/30 silicone, beeswax for sealing.
Casting Media Hydro-Stone, Drystone, Roto281 fusible alloy, tintable epoxies.
Group Assignment · Material Comparisons
Our team benchmarked molding and casting materials by walking through SDS requirements, mixing behaviour, and finished-part characteristics.
Mold Materials
Material
Key Specs
Safety & Handling
Docs
Mold Star 15 SLOW
1A:1B by volume; 50 min pot life; 4 hr demold; Shore A 15.
Silicone molds need generous draft and oversized pour spouts; avoid deep undercuts or trapped silicone by reorienting the part or splitting the mold further.
Workholding for wax favors three-point hot-glue fixtures; warm the beeswax skin with a heat gun, flood seams, then re-melt and drain for a thin uniform barrier.
Clamp or rubber-band mold halves and enlarge pour holes so viscous materials do not trap air; keep sacrificial “stock buttons” to test cure before demolding the part.
Hydro-Stone excels in structural casts; Drystone captures detail but needs thicker walls; Roto281 is slated for a later hot-metal demo once PPE logistics are finalised.
Group Test Casts
SDS reinforcementClogged-sink demo underscored the need to dispose of gypsum solids properly.Drystone baselineInitial mix captured small features and set expectations for curing time.Edge refinementSecond pour validated vent sizing adjustments for sharper edges.Optimized workflowFinal test achieved bubble-free surfaces aligned with production targets.
Summary
Progressive Drystone trials, captured here, validated the draft, venting, and disposal guidance outlined in Process Observations and informed the individual dome pours in Dome & Coil Casting Studies.
Group Materials Inventory
Silicone selectionMold Star 15 Slow chosen for long pot life during group demonstrations.Component stagingPre-weighed bottles streamlined 1A:1B mixing during demos.Gypsum stockDrystone inventory documented for future restocking and SDS reference.Silicone blendingPart A pre-mixed to homogenize fillers before combining with part B.Part B integrationPart B was folded in slowly to minimize bubble formation.Gypsum mixingDrystone was sifted into water to achieve the peanut-butter consistency noted in training.Wax prepWax melting ensured consistent mold release, mirroring the dome workflow.Surface conditioningUniform coating prevented adhesion during silicone pours.Silicone pourTeam pour demo reinforced steady-stream technique and tapping cadence.
Quick-reference notes distilled from the manufacturer safety data sheets reviewed this week. Always consult the full SDS before working and keep copies accessible at the workstation.
Mold Star 15/30 (Smooth‑On) — Part B contains amines that can cause skin sensitisation; wear nitrile gloves and avoid splashes to eyes/skin. Provide ventilation to disperse vapours, keep containers sealed, and clean uncured spills with absorbent material (do not wash down the sink). First aid: wash exposed skin with soap and water for 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation persists.
USG Hydro-Stone — Fine gypsum dust is a respiratory irritant; use N95 (or better) dust mask during weighing and dry cleanup, and wear safety goggles to prevent alkaline slurry splashes. Wet material generates heat as it sets—do not place hands in a curing batch and dispose of hardened plaster in solid waste, never in drains.
USG Drystone — Similar gypsum-based hazards: avoid breathing dust, wash skin after contact, and protect eyes from slurry. Mixture can dry skin; apply moisturizer after cleanup. Store sealed in a dry area to prevent premature hydration that degrades strength.
RotoMetals Roto281 Alloy — Molten metal (281 °F melt) produces hot splatter; wear face shield, long sleeves, leather gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Use in a well-ventilated space to avoid metal fumes, keep water away from melt pots to prevent steam explosions, and cool solid ingots before handling. First aid: cool burns with water, do not remove stuck metal, and seek immediate medical care.
Select Mold Star 15/30 for silicone tooling (450 °F rated).
Mold Star mixes 1A:1B; degas by tapping, avoid overhangs beyond what can demold.
Pour Planning
Ensure watertight mold box; pre-measure volume; pour viscous part first.
Mix inside bottles to homogenize; steady stream pour; tap ≤1 min; monitor exotherm.
Surface Prep & Assembly
Apply thin beeswax film; clamp or band mold; enlarge pour spouts.
Avoid thick wax layers (lose detail); big pour holes ease Drystone or metal fills.
Comparing Mold-Making Processes
Method
Strengths
Trade-offs
3D-Printed Molds
Fastest to fabricate; easy to iterate geometry; can print complex draft-less shapes.
Requires laborious post-processing—epoxy or wax skim coats to hide layer lines; surface quality depends on print settings.
CNC-Machined Molds
Excellent surface finish directly off the tool; precise registration; minimal hand cleanup.
Longer setup time and CAM effort; limited by cutter reach and allowable overhangs.
Hand-Sculpted Wax
Quick for simple geometries; easy to tweak by hand.
Only suitable for low-temperature casting media (wax deforms with heat); surface quality depends on sculpting skill.
Negative vs. Positive Mold Workflows
Workflow
Steps
When to Use
Negative Molds (Direct Cast)
1. Create rigid negative mold 2. Pour casting material directly into that mold.
Ideal for rigid molds that tolerate casting temperature—e.g., wax dome cast in Hydro-Stone. Fewer steps but mold must release final part.
Positive-to-Negative Molds (Flexible Insert)
1. Machine or sculpt positive master 2. Cast flexible negative (e.g., silicone) from the master 3. Pour final casting into the flexible mold.
Best for complex undercuts or when repeated casts are needed—e.g., silicone mold for the Kryptonite arrow. Added step but protects master and simplifies demolding.
Comparing Test Casts
Casting Material
Mix / Melt
Strength & Finish
Field Notes
Hydro-Stone
32:100 water to powder (by weight).
Robust, handles drops; needs thicker sections.
Great for load-bearing parts; mix to smooth slurry, avoid over-thinning.
Drystone
20 mL water per 100 g powder.
Captures detail; thin features brittle.
Target peanut-butter texture; keep witness stock to gauge cure without denting final part.
Roto281 Alloy
Melt at 281 °F (58% Bi / 42% Sn).
High detail, reusable; requires PPE.
Needs face shield & long sleeves; keep water away; perfect for gravity-fed sprues.
Epoxy Resins
Follow bottle-specific ratios; tint with approved dyes.
Durable, customizable color.
Longer cure; dye compatibility varies—check brand guidance before mixing.
Sandcasting Metals
Gold or alloys poured into sand or plaster molds.
Suitable for high-temp pours.
Requires dedicated foundry workflow; consider for future metal runs after silicone tooling.
Designing, machining, and casting a Kryptonite arrow replica while maintaining crisp mold finishes and production-ready registration features.
Kryptonite Arrow Mold
Kryptonite Arrow Molding
Documenting the wax machining, silicone molding, and Drystone casting plan for the week9/designfiles/kryptonite_arrow_merged.stl model.
Model dimensions in Fusion: overall length 1384.053 mm (scaled down to fit the wax block), tip-to-core 172.66 mm, width 50.196 mm, thickness 21.691 mm (half height 10.846 mm).
Final scale factor: 0.11 to respect wax clearance; envelope stays within 1.5"×3"×7" with ≥0.2" (≈5 mm) walls on every side.
Registration bosses sized 6.3 mm (left), 6.1 mm (right/bottom), 5.9 mm (top) to ensure positive alignment while avoiding interference.
Fusion 360 CAM Strategy
Tools: 0.25" flat (2.5" OAL, 1.25" flute) for adaptive and flat; 0.125" flat (1.5" OAL, 1.25" flute) for rest machining, parallel, and pencil.
3D Adaptive Clearing: 12,000 RPM; 120 IPM cutting/lead/transition; 80 IPM ramp/plunge; max stepdown 0.4"; fine stepdown 0.04"; order by area; feed optimisation on; minimum retraction; 12° ramp.
0.25" Flat Finish: limit to wall faces as avoid surfaces; feed optimisation on; minimum retraction.
0.125" Rest/Parallel/Pencil: 12,000 RPM; 90–100 IPM cutting; 30–33.3 IPM ramp; rest machining threshold 0.008"; perpendicular passes with 0.01" stepover; shortest path retraction; pencil with two stepovers.
Expected runtime ≈4.5 minutes after tool changing and probing.
Machining Workflow
Fixture wax using three hot-glued touch points; leave wax skinned with beeswax, then reflow to create a thin seal.
Power-up sequence: home machine, load Tool 1 at 1.5" stick-out, probe XY with MTC, probe Z with touch plate, enable spindle (Relay 1), start at 50% feed, ramp to 150% if chipload and sound stay stable.
Swap to 0.125" tool, re-probe Z, set tool index 2, restart program at 50% feed, bring spindle speed to 115% to suppress chatter.
Post-machining: release dust shoe, scrape glue pads with a putty knife, and pop off wax after scoring with a utility knife.
Silicone & Casting Plan
Seal mold box, verify volume with water, then mix Mold Star 15 (1A:1B) in graduated cups; pour the more viscous part first, then the lighter part.
Target 220 mL total silicone (110 mL per part) based on water displacement; pour from one corner, maintain a thin stream, and tap for ~60 seconds to release bubbles.
Clamp halves with rubber bands; keep the sprue oversized to support Drystone or Hydro-Stone pours.
Drystone batch: 100 g powder, 20 mL water, optional epoxy dye (not recommended—dyes can retard cure). Monitor a companion “stock button” to check set without damaging the part.
Casting Workflow Refinement
Domes
Melt the wax charge in a disposable cup until fully liquefied.
Brush molten wax across the mold cavity to coat all surfaces evenly.
Hold the mold at 100 °C, pour out excess wax, and retain a uniform skin.
Clamp the mold halves to lock registration before introducing casting media.
Pour the Drystone mix steadily to avoid trapped air pockets.
Arrow
Clamp silicone mold halves to maintain gate alignment.
Brush a Mold Star slurry into thin detail regions to pre-wet features.
Re-clamp to capture the slurry film and reinforce the seal.
Pour the main batch through the sprue and chase vents until the cavity floods.
Arrow Mold · Machining
Fixturing layoutThree-point hot glue pads were mapped to keep the wax blank stable during probing.Wax securedThe wax blank was leveled and sealed to prevent vibration during adaptive clearing.Program loadedVerified the tool library, zeroes, and feed overrides prior to cycle start.Adaptive clearing in actionRoughing pass removed the bulk of the stock while chip evacuation stayed clean.Demolding from fixtureScored seams and gentle leverage released the wax without damaging the surface.Post-machining inspectionWax detail captured the fin geometry ready for silicone replication.Surface cleanupCompressed air and a soft brush cleared residual chips, protecting the silicone surface finish.
Summary
Machining validated fixture stability and surface quality, providing a master wax that directly enabled the silicone pour documented in Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring and ensured alignment with the wax-handling guidelines outlined in Casting Workflow Refinement.
Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring Silicone
Fully blended Mold StarEqual-volume parts A and B achieved a streak-free mix before de-gassing taps.Controlled pourThin-stream pour propagated from the lowest corner to minimize trapped air.Pouring sequenceVideo walkthrough shows tap-set cycles and sprue top-offs to chase bubbles.
Initial peelGentle finger pressure lifted the cured silicone without gouging the wax master.Progressive releaseSequential lifting freed the silicone while keeping fin detail intact.Final separationComplete removal revealed accurate registration sockets for casting.Bottom half reviewBottom shell shows crisp pour channels ready for Drystone.Top half reviewTop half preserved the arrow profile and vent geometry with zero tears.
Final casting run captured the full kryptonite arrow workflow: silicone mold conditioning, a 2,000 g Drystone batch hydrated with 400 mL of water, careful demolding, and precision finishing.
Mold alignmentSilicone halves were banded and shored to maintain sprue alignment before the slurry coat.Detail wet-outThin slurry locked into fine grooves to prevent trapped air in the primary pour.Primary pourMain batch chased vents until the cavity flooded and surface bubbles were cleared.Cure checkA firm set after the timed cure confirmed the 2,000 g to 400 mL ratio hit target viscosity.Initial releaseFirst peel verified the slurry layer and vent paths disengaged without tearing.Complete demoldFinal lift released the fins cleanly, preserving the wax master for reuse.Stabilized castingApplied thin CA glue to seal microfractures before trimming overflow with flush cutters.Edge refinementNeedle files tuned the fin trailing edges while preserving leading-edge crispness.Final presentationSurface polish and edge cleanup delivered the desired hero prop finish.Dimensional verificationFinal inspection confirmed length and fin span matched the scaled CAD intent.
Sequence Summary
Secured the silicone tool and brushed a Drystone slurry to wet out fine detail.
Mixed 2,000 g of Drystone with 400 mL water to a yogurt consistency, then flooded the mold through sprue and vents.
Timed the cure, recorded staged demolding, and preserved fin integrity with controlled peel sequencing.
Stabilized the casting with thin CA glue before trimming flash and dressing edges with fine files.
Validated overall dimensions, confirming readiness for finishing and display.
Dome & Coil Casting Studies
Two-part dome shellInitial two-part dome mold defined curvature and pour gates.Coil reinforcementAdded coil insert supports the Pantheon-inspired coffering.Pour and vent planSprue and vent layout balanced flow and air escape.Core assemblyInner core sculpted to preserve hollow dome geometry.Side shell AFirst dome side captured the oculus recess with clean draft.Side shell BMatching side ensured even wall thickness across the dome.Alignment checkDry-fit confirmed registration before committing to wax skin coating.Seal inspectionSecondary angle verified no daylight at the seam.Clamped assemblyRatchet clamps distributed pressure to keep joints sealed while pouring.Drystone ratioScale confirmed the 100 g to 20 mL mix documented in class.Drystone pourContinuous pour filled the cavity while vents released trapped air.Demolding domeControlled release preserved the wax liner for reuse.Drystone resultsCompleted domes show consistent thickness and smooth oculus edges.Base refinementBase trimming delivered a stable display surface.Play-Doh rehearsalCollaborative Play-Doh pour rehearsed timing before gypsum casting.Formed rehearsalFormwork captured key dimensions before thermal trials.Manual shapingHand forming refined curvature prior to trimming.Play-Doh mold outputRehearsal dome confirmed registration before final materials.Trimming rehearsalKnife trimming removed excess Play-Doh to mirror gypsum cleanup.Cast rehearsal productFinished Play-Doh part validated the workflow ahead of kiln tests.Pre-bake reviewSurface inspection ensured no cracks before oven curing.Post-bake stabilityBaked dome held form, validating heat tolerance for finishing.Core dryingVent channels released residual moisture to avoid warping.
Dome
Wax pre-coatMold cavities received a uniform wax skin before thermal leveling.Wax chargeFresh beeswax pellets melted down to recharge the brushes between coats.Melting workflowVideo walkthrough shows staged melting to avoid scorching the wax.Brush applicationMolten beeswax brushed across the mold to build a smooth release film.Ready meltHeld wax at a pourable viscosity to maintain consistent coating thickness.Tool layoutDedicated brushes and collection trays kept wax contamination off the molds.Thinning passReheating the surface thinned the wax to an even satin finish.Pour stagingParallel setups allowed synchronized pours to hit the target density.Release agentThree coats of release were applied with five-minute flash times between passes.Initial clampPrimary clamps secured the seam prior to adding perpendicular reinforcement.Secondary bracingPerimeter clamps distributed compression across the equator.Clamp cross-checkAlternate angle verified even pressure across the seam.Leveling passLevel referenced the sprue to guarantee an even fill height.Parallel poursSynchronous pours ensured both domes reached identical density.Edge sealingRe-waxed seam edges to lock in the mix during the exotherm.Mold 1 fillFirst dome reached the exact fill height without overflow.Mold 2 fillSecond dome mirrored the fill height, preserving batch parity.Overnight cureAssemblies rested overnight to reach handling strength without distortion.
Sequence Summary
Built a uniform wax barrier, melting fresh beeswax and brushing multiple coats before thinning to a satin finish.
Staged dual pour stations, alternating mold release coats while mixing 1,500 g of Drystone with staged 300 mL + 30 mL + 30 mL water additions for yogurt consistency.
Sequentially tightened clamps—primary, secondary, then triple leveling—to lock registration and maintain parting-line pressure.
Poured both domes in parallel, sealed seams with hot wax touch-ups, and confirmed fill height on each mold.
Allowed an overnight cure before demolding, ensuring consistent density and surface finish for the twin domes.
Summary
Wax-coated mold halves, balanced venting, and rehearsed Play-Doh trials produced repeatable Drystone domes, while the end-to-end process captured in Dome Casting Sequence demonstrates disciplined wax prep, staggered hydration, and clamp management that mirror the silicone handling in Casting Workflow Refinement · Domes and the pre-wetting strategy in Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring Silicone.
Mirror Screen Coating Trials
Fixture setupOLED screen secured inside the Kurt J. Lesker chamber for even coating.Plasma phaseChamber plasma confirmed proper vacuum and deposition parameters.Coating resultsFinished mirrors show uniform reflectivity ready for integration.
Summary
PVD setup and plasma verification yielded evenly coated OLED mirrors, providing a surface reference for the silicone casting finish targeted in Arrow Mold · Demolding Silicone and the dome polish seen in Dome & Coil Casting Studies.
Mouse Bone Encapsulation Prep
Isolating tibia samples from 1-, 15-, and 25-month C57BL/6 female mice to compare age-dependent mechanical properties required controlled epoxy encapsulation.
Tibia inventoryCartilage-cleared tibiae sorted by age cohort prior to potting.Release agentMold release selected to protect bones during epoxy extraction.Hardener specificationLow-exotherm hardener chosen to avoid thermal damage to aged samples.Resin selectionClear casting resin chosen to enable optical inspection post-cure.Mold preparationUniform spray ensured effortless demolding of the encapsulated bones.Precision mixingStoichiometric mix safeguarded mechanical integrity for subsequent testing.Encapsulation pourBones submerged gently to avoid microbubble entrapment before curing.
Bone
Unmounting cured samplesGentle leverage freed the epoxy pucks while protecting the embedded tibiae.Mounted for testingCured mounts labeled by age group and staged for mechanical assays.
Sequence Summary
Released the cured epoxy slugs with alternating pry points to avoid stressing the tibia interfaces.
Indexed each mount, confirmed bubble-free encapsulation, and queued samples for biomechanical testing.
Repurposed the dinosaur silicone mold to cast a toothless “rock” mascot, tuning clamp force to protect the delicate jawline while celebrating the Kryptonite arrow narrative.
Mold fillDinosaur cavity flooded with the Drystone batch while tapping chased bubbles from the teeth.Vertical cureSuspended the mold to relieve pressure on the jawline during the initial set.Clamp assistLight clamps maintained seam compression without distorting the snout.Toothless revealFinal casting emerged with rounded features ready for finishing glaze.Scale comparisonArrow prop displayed alongside the dinosaur rock to highlight narrative cohesion.Performance testPlayful motion test confirmed the cast withstands handling for demos.Durability checkLight-hearted clip shows the “toothless” jaw resisting chips even without enamel.
Sequence Summary
Flooded the dinosaur mold and tapped out bubbles, focusing on the facial features.
Hung the tool during gelation, then transferred to a lightly clamped cradle to finish curing without seam creep.
Demolded and presented the toothless rock, pairing it with the arrow prop to confirm scale and storytelling.
Ran handling demos that double as durability checks before sealing the surface.
Summary
Creative reuse of the dinosaur mold produced a durable “toothless” mascot that showcases finishing consistency with the Arrow Casting · Finishing Sequence and extends the storytelling from the dome and bone studies.
Final mold envelopeComposite view confirming the scaled Kryptonite arrow comfortably fits the wax stock while preserving registration bosses.Concept baselineInitial STL import prior to scaling showcased the silhouette and informed draft angle planning.Span verificationPrecise horizontal checks ensured the arrow stayed within the 7-inch wax travel limits.Parting strategyUsing a projection plane to define the parting split prevented undercuts before machining.Half-model isolationClean split of the geometry produced machinable halves without internal voids.Thickness clearanceVertical caliper checks confirmed flute reach and the 5 mm wax wall buffer.Wax block fitA dedicated bounding block quantified machineable allowance before toolpathing.Base plane creationA leveled base ensured consistent Z probing and located the pour sprue.Registration geometryPerimeter walls and pins locked mold halves against lateral drift.Work coordinate systemOrigin placed at the wax corner aligned CAM operations with the Bantam workflow.Heights sanity checkFusion’s heights inspector validated safe retracts above clamp hardware.Adaptive toolpath3D adaptive pattern densified around fins to reduce scalloping before finishing.Roughing stock modelStock preview confirmed consistent scallop height for subsequent flat passes.Flat finish setupA quarter-inch flat traced planar faces to erase adaptive step marks.Flat finish resultSimulation showed smooth flats ahead of the rest machining step.Fine flat cleanupSecondary flat operation focused on root regions prone to chatter.Fine flat verificationRest machining volume dropped significantly after the second flat pass.Parallel finishingDense stepover parallel passes polished the curved fins and core.Pencil cleanupPencil passes targeted the seams to preserve crisp edges.
Operation simulationToolpath simulation confirmed safe clearances before committing to machining.Before vs. after stockComparison playback highlighted material removal efficiency across passes.
Summary
CAD refinements locked the envelope, parting line, and fixtures, while CAM simulations qualified adaptive, flat, and pencil strategies used downstream in Arrow Mold Machining and informed the silicone pour volumes documented in Casting Workflow Refinement.
Green Arrow’s Kryptonite arrow contingency doubles as a personal reminder: “You have failed this city” becomes “I will not fail this class.” The kryptonite arrow reminds us that even the strongest heroes need someone who can keep them in check, and is a symbol for me to always remember to keep moving forward, no matter what!
Video: Green Arrow highlight reel. If link fails, search "Green Arrow you have failed this city."
Lore Snapshot
First appearance in The Dark Knight Returns (1986): one-armed Oliver Queen fires a Kryptonite-tipped arrow to weaken Superman.
Recurring contingency in mainline comics and television — Cisco gifts Oliver the arrowhead in Arrow S4E8, and it finally sees action against Overgirl in the Crisis on Earth-X crossover.
The arrow symbolises preparedness, human ingenuity, and accountability among heroes — a reminder to double-check assumptions and keep the team safe.
Collective material trials, consolidated in Group Assignment Summary, set the safety and mixing playbook that the individual workflows in Individual Assignment Summary expanded into detailed arrow, dome, mirror, and biomedical casts.
Contributions
Training & Demos
Huge thanks to Anthony for the detailed molding-and-casting training session and the lion casting demo that informed our safety reminders.
Dome Design Support
Appreciation to James and the 1.583 course staff—Prof. Josephine Carstensen and TAs Hajin and Dat—for guidance on the Pantheon dome concept.
Mold Strategy
Shout-out to Omar Al Dajani’s shuriken documentation for sparking the two-part mold plan, and to Anthony for helping translate that into a reliable three-part mold workflow.
Ethical AI Use
Lore Research
ChatGPT helped compile Kryptonite arrow canon and symbolism for the motivation section. Transcript: Kryptonite Arrow Lore.
Cursor Session · Week 9 Recitation Prep
Documented AI-assisted recap of Quentin Bolsee’s recitation notes, later refined into the highlights and training sections.
Tracked the Cursor-led sprint for sequencing images, captions, and highlights throughout this page; prompts and responses validated every media addition and subsummary.
Other AI-assisted tasks from earlier weeks remain documented in their respective pages; no additional generative content was used beyond rewriting notes for clarity.
Snapshot of this week’s molding and casting milestones.
Material Trials and Safety Reviews
Group SDS review and Anthony’s lion casting demo informed our material tests.
Machining Kryptonite Arrow Mold
Wax machining, silicone molding, and Drystone casting workflow.
Ancient Roman Dome (Pantheon model)
Side-by-side domes: Drystone (left) and Play-Doh (right) domes.
Aging Bone Encapsulation for Testing
Cured epoxy mounts indexed for downstream biomechanical testing.
Kryptonite Arrow Dimensional Check
Finished Kryptonite arrow verified against scale targets.
Toothless Tyrannosaurus Rock
Playful gypsum casting celebrating the dinosaur-themed mold.
3 part dome molds
Cross-clamping locked alignment before the Drystone pour.
Clamped drystone casting
Parallel pours hit matching fill heights on both domes.
Base and topology optimized domes
Final demold showcased the matched finish across both domes.
Week Overview
Wax machining, silicone casting, gypsum and fusible alloys, and deliberate process control for repeatable parts.
Focus
Machine a precise wax mold, pour a silicone tool without flashing, and cast durable Kryptonite arrow parts that hide CAM toolpaths.
Key Skills
Registration design, silicone handling discipline, gypsum mixture prep, low-melt alloy safety, and 3D adaptive CAM tuning.
Deliverables
Group SDS review with material trials, recitation summary, training digest, and an individual wax–silicone–drystone workflow for the Kryptonite arrow mold.
Primary references for molding and casting workflows, materials, and safety.
Class Page Insights
The MIT Molding & Casting overview consolidates process types (injection, vacuum, blow, rotational), mold materials (wax, foams, silicones, latex, thermosets), additives for performance tuning, and safety expectations around ventilation, PPE, and SDS review (academy.cba.mit.edu).
Vendor shortlist for silicones, plasters, cements, and alloys (Smooth-On, Reynolds, USG, RotoMetals).
Detailed process notes on mixing, degassing, filling, bubble mitigation, curing modes, demolding, and storage.
Safety primers: release agents, SDS checks, ventilation requirements, and equipment for hot-metal pours.
Key reminders from the molding & casting training Slack update (Slack).
Material & Mold Prep
Standard wax blanks are 1.5"×3"×7"; request approval from Anthony before exceeding that footprint.
Registration features must be calculated so mold halves align; shoot for ≥5 mm wall thickness (0.2").
Silicone options: Mold Star 15 or 30 (1A:1B mix, up to 450 °F service temp). Casting media: Hydro-Stone, Drystone, Roto281 alloy, or colored epoxies.
Mixing, Pouring, Safety
Proof the mold box with water before pouring to confirm a watertight seal; hot glue foamcore or acrylic seams.
Gloves on for every pour. Pre-mix components in their bottles, then combine viscous part first, scrape walls, and mix until streak-free.
Pour in a steady, thin stream, tap up to one minute to vent bubbles, monitor exotherm with an IR thermometer, and accelerate curing with heat lamps only if material allows.
For Drystone: target 20 mL water per 100 g powder; add water after the powder to avoid clumping and mix to “organic peanut butter” consistency.
Roto281 metal pours require long sleeves, face shields, and coordination with shop staff.
Molding & Casting CAM Walkthrough
Anthony’s Fusion 360 refresher covers feeds, speeds, and tool changes for machining the standard wax block.
Video: Fusion workflow for milling a 1.5"×3"×7" wax block — tooling presets, adaptive clearing, flat passes, and probing routines (Vimeo).
Assignments
Group Review SDS for every molding and casting material, run comparative test casts, and document process trade-offs.
Individual Design and machine a mold that finishes cleanly, cast functional parts, and hide or polish away machining artifacts. Extra credit for multi-part tooling.
Tools & Materials
CAM Fusion 360 adaptive + finishing strategies for wax.
Tooling ¼" and ⅛" flat end mills, touch probe, hot glue fixturing.
Mold Materials Mold Star 15/30 silicone, beeswax for sealing.
Casting Media Hydro-Stone, Drystone, Roto281 fusible alloy, tintable epoxies.
Group Assignment · Material Comparisons
Our team benchmarked molding and casting materials by walking through SDS requirements, mixing behaviour, and finished-part characteristics.
Mold Materials
Material
Key Specs
Safety & Handling
Docs
Mold Star 15 SLOW
1A:1B by volume; 50 min pot life; 4 hr demold; Shore A 15.
Silicone molds need generous draft and oversized pour spouts; avoid deep undercuts or trapped silicone by reorienting the part or splitting the mold further.
Workholding for wax favors three-point hot-glue fixtures; warm the beeswax skin with a heat gun, flood seams, then re-melt and drain for a thin uniform barrier.
Clamp or rubber-band mold halves and enlarge pour holes so viscous materials do not trap air; keep sacrificial “stock buttons” to test cure before demolding the part.
Hydro-Stone excels in structural casts; Drystone captures detail but needs thicker walls; Roto281 is slated for a later hot-metal demo once PPE logistics are finalised.
Group Test Casts
SDS reinforcementClogged-sink demo underscored the need to dispose of gypsum solids properly.Drystone baselineInitial mix captured small features and set expectations for curing time.Edge refinementSecond pour validated vent sizing adjustments for sharper edges.Optimized workflowFinal test achieved bubble-free surfaces aligned with production targets.
Summary
Progressive Drystone trials, captured here, validated the draft, venting, and disposal guidance outlined in Process Observations and informed the individual dome pours in Dome & Coil Casting Studies.
Group Materials Inventory
Silicone selectionMold Star 15 Slow chosen for long pot life during group demonstrations.Component stagingPre-weighed bottles streamlined 1A:1B mixing during demos.Gypsum stockDrystone inventory documented for future restocking and SDS reference.Silicone blendingPart A pre-mixed to homogenize fillers before combining with part B.Part B integrationPart B was folded in slowly to minimize bubble formation.Gypsum mixingDrystone was sifted into water to achieve the peanut-butter consistency noted in training.Wax prepWax melting ensured consistent mold release, mirroring the dome workflow.Surface conditioningUniform coating prevented adhesion during silicone pours.Silicone pourTeam pour demo reinforced steady-stream technique and tapping cadence.
Quick-reference notes distilled from the manufacturer safety data sheets reviewed this week. Always consult the full SDS before working and keep copies accessible at the workstation.
Mold Star 15/30 (Smooth‑On) — Part B contains amines that can cause skin sensitisation; wear nitrile gloves and avoid splashes to eyes/skin. Provide ventilation to disperse vapours, keep containers sealed, and clean uncured spills with absorbent material (do not wash down the sink). First aid: wash exposed skin with soap and water for 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation persists.
USG Hydro-Stone — Fine gypsum dust is a respiratory irritant; use N95 (or better) dust mask during weighing and dry cleanup, and wear safety goggles to prevent alkaline slurry splashes. Wet material generates heat as it sets—do not place hands in a curing batch and dispose of hardened plaster in solid waste, never in drains.
USG Drystone — Similar gypsum-based hazards: avoid breathing dust, wash skin after contact, and protect eyes from slurry. Mixture can dry skin; apply moisturizer after cleanup. Store sealed in a dry area to prevent premature hydration that degrades strength.
RotoMetals Roto281 Alloy — Molten metal (281 °F melt) produces hot splatter; wear face shield, long sleeves, leather gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Use in a well-ventilated space to avoid metal fumes, keep water away from melt pots to prevent steam explosions, and cool solid ingots before handling. First aid: cool burns with water, do not remove stuck metal, and seek immediate medical care.
Select Mold Star 15/30 for silicone tooling (450 °F rated).
Mold Star mixes 1A:1B; degas by tapping, avoid overhangs beyond what can demold.
Pour Planning
Ensure watertight mold box; pre-measure volume; pour viscous part first.
Mix inside bottles to homogenize; steady stream pour; tap ≤1 min; monitor exotherm.
Surface Prep & Assembly
Apply thin beeswax film; clamp or band mold; enlarge pour spouts.
Avoid thick wax layers (lose detail); big pour holes ease Drystone or metal fills.
Comparing Mold-Making Processes
Method
Strengths
Trade-offs
3D-Printed Molds
Fastest to fabricate; easy to iterate geometry; can print complex draft-less shapes.
Requires laborious post-processing—epoxy or wax skim coats to hide layer lines; surface quality depends on print settings.
CNC-Machined Molds
Excellent surface finish directly off the tool; precise registration; minimal hand cleanup.
Longer setup time and CAM effort; limited by cutter reach and allowable overhangs.
Hand-Sculpted Wax
Quick for simple geometries; easy to tweak by hand.
Only suitable for low-temperature casting media (wax deforms with heat); surface quality depends on sculpting skill.
Negative vs. Positive Mold Workflows
Workflow
Steps
When to Use
Negative Molds (Direct Cast)
1. Create rigid negative mold 2. Pour casting material directly into that mold.
Ideal for rigid molds that tolerate casting temperature—e.g., wax dome cast in Hydro-Stone. Fewer steps but mold must release final part.
Positive-to-Negative Molds (Flexible Insert)
1. Machine or sculpt positive master 2. Cast flexible negative (e.g., silicone) from the master 3. Pour final casting into the flexible mold.
Best for complex undercuts or when repeated casts are needed—e.g., silicone mold for the Kryptonite arrow. Added step but protects master and simplifies demolding.
Comparing Test Casts
Casting Material
Mix / Melt
Strength & Finish
Field Notes
Hydro-Stone
32:100 water to powder (by weight).
Robust, handles drops; needs thicker sections.
Great for load-bearing parts; mix to smooth slurry, avoid over-thinning.
Drystone
20 mL water per 100 g powder.
Captures detail; thin features brittle.
Target peanut-butter texture; keep witness stock to gauge cure without denting final part.
Roto281 Alloy
Melt at 281 °F (58% Bi / 42% Sn).
High detail, reusable; requires PPE.
Needs face shield & long sleeves; keep water away; perfect for gravity-fed sprues.
Epoxy Resins
Follow bottle-specific ratios; tint with approved dyes.
Durable, customizable color.
Longer cure; dye compatibility varies—check brand guidance before mixing.
Sandcasting Metals
Gold or alloys poured into sand or plaster molds.
Suitable for high-temp pours.
Requires dedicated foundry workflow; consider for future metal runs after silicone tooling.
Designing, machining, and casting a Kryptonite arrow replica while maintaining crisp mold finishes and production-ready registration features.
Kryptonite Arrow Mold
Kryptonite Arrow Molding
Documenting the wax machining, silicone molding, and Drystone casting plan for the week9/designfiles/kryptonite_arrow_merged.stl model.
Model dimensions in Fusion: overall length 1384.053 mm (scaled down to fit the wax block), tip-to-core 172.66 mm, width 50.196 mm, thickness 21.691 mm (half height 10.846 mm).
Final scale factor: 0.11 to respect wax clearance; envelope stays within 1.5"×3"×7" with ≥0.2" (≈5 mm) walls on every side.
Registration bosses sized 6.3 mm (left), 6.1 mm (right/bottom), 5.9 mm (top) to ensure positive alignment while avoiding interference.
Fusion 360 CAM Strategy
Tools: 0.25" flat (2.5" OAL, 1.25" flute) for adaptive and flat; 0.125" flat (1.5" OAL, 1.25" flute) for rest machining, parallel, and pencil.
3D Adaptive Clearing: 12,000 RPM; 120 IPM cutting/lead/transition; 80 IPM ramp/plunge; max stepdown 0.4"; fine stepdown 0.04"; order by area; feed optimisation on; minimum retraction; 12° ramp.
0.25" Flat Finish: limit to wall faces as avoid surfaces; feed optimisation on; minimum retraction.
0.125" Rest/Parallel/Pencil: 12,000 RPM; 90–100 IPM cutting; 30–33.3 IPM ramp; rest machining threshold 0.008"; perpendicular passes with 0.01" stepover; shortest path retraction; pencil with two stepovers.
Expected runtime ≈4.5 minutes after tool changing and probing.
Machining Workflow
Fixture wax using three hot-glued touch points; leave wax skinned with beeswax, then reflow to create a thin seal.
Power-up sequence: home machine, load Tool 1 at 1.5" stick-out, probe XY with MTC, probe Z with touch plate, enable spindle (Relay 1), start at 50% feed, ramp to 150% if chipload and sound stay stable.
Swap to 0.125" tool, re-probe Z, set tool index 2, restart program at 50% feed, bring spindle speed to 115% to suppress chatter.
Post-machining: release dust shoe, scrape glue pads with a putty knife, and pop off wax after scoring with a utility knife.
Silicone & Casting Plan
Seal mold box, verify volume with water, then mix Mold Star 15 (1A:1B) in graduated cups; pour the more viscous part first, then the lighter part.
Target 220 mL total silicone (110 mL per part) based on water displacement; pour from one corner, maintain a thin stream, and tap for ~60 seconds to release bubbles.
Clamp halves with rubber bands; keep the sprue oversized to support Drystone or Hydro-Stone pours.
Drystone batch: 100 g powder, 20 mL water, optional epoxy dye (not recommended—dyes can retard cure). Monitor a companion “stock button” to check set without damaging the part.
Casting Workflow Refinement
Domes
Melt the wax charge in a disposable cup until fully liquefied.
Brush molten wax across the mold cavity to coat all surfaces evenly.
Hold the mold at 100 °C, pour out excess wax, and retain a uniform skin.
Clamp the mold halves to lock registration before introducing casting media.
Pour the Drystone mix steadily to avoid trapped air pockets.
Arrow
Clamp silicone mold halves to maintain gate alignment.
Brush a Mold Star slurry into thin detail regions to pre-wet features.
Re-clamp to capture the slurry film and reinforce the seal.
Pour the main batch through the sprue and chase vents until the cavity floods.
Arrow Mold · Machining
Fixturing layoutThree-point hot glue pads were mapped to keep the wax blank stable during probing.Wax securedThe wax blank was leveled and sealed to prevent vibration during adaptive clearing.Program loadedVerified the tool library, zeroes, and feed overrides prior to cycle start.Adaptive clearing in actionRoughing pass removed the bulk of the stock while chip evacuation stayed clean.Demolding from fixtureScored seams and gentle leverage released the wax without damaging the surface.Post-machining inspectionWax detail captured the fin geometry ready for silicone replication.Surface cleanupCompressed air and a soft brush cleared residual chips, protecting the silicone surface finish.
Summary
Machining validated fixture stability and surface quality, providing a master wax that directly enabled the silicone pour documented in Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring and ensured alignment with the wax-handling guidelines outlined in Casting Workflow Refinement.
Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring Silicone
Fully blended Mold StarEqual-volume parts A and B achieved a streak-free mix before de-gassing taps.Controlled pourThin-stream pour propagated from the lowest corner to minimize trapped air.Pouring sequenceVideo walkthrough shows tap-set cycles and sprue top-offs to chase bubbles.
Initial peelGentle finger pressure lifted the cured silicone without gouging the wax master.Progressive releaseSequential lifting freed the silicone while keeping fin detail intact.Final separationComplete removal revealed accurate registration sockets for casting.Bottom half reviewBottom shell shows crisp pour channels ready for Drystone.Top half reviewTop half preserved the arrow profile and vent geometry with zero tears.
Final casting run captured the full kryptonite arrow workflow: silicone mold conditioning, a 2,000 g Drystone batch hydrated with 400 mL of water, careful demolding, and precision finishing.
Mold alignmentSilicone halves were banded and shored to maintain sprue alignment before the slurry coat.Detail wet-outThin slurry locked into fine grooves to prevent trapped air in the primary pour.Primary pourMain batch chased vents until the cavity flooded and surface bubbles were cleared.Cure checkA firm set after the timed cure confirmed the 2,000 g to 400 mL ratio hit target viscosity.Initial releaseFirst peel verified the slurry layer and vent paths disengaged without tearing.Complete demoldFinal lift released the fins cleanly, preserving the wax master for reuse.Stabilized castingApplied thin CA glue to seal microfractures before trimming overflow with flush cutters.Edge refinementNeedle files tuned the fin trailing edges while preserving leading-edge crispness.Final presentationSurface polish and edge cleanup delivered the desired hero prop finish.Dimensional verificationFinal inspection confirmed length and fin span matched the scaled CAD intent.
Sequence Summary
Secured the silicone tool and brushed a Drystone slurry to wet out fine detail.
Mixed 2,000 g of Drystone with 400 mL water to a yogurt consistency, then flooded the mold through sprue and vents.
Timed the cure, recorded staged demolding, and preserved fin integrity with controlled peel sequencing.
Stabilized the casting with thin CA glue before trimming flash and dressing edges with fine files.
Validated overall dimensions, confirming readiness for finishing and display.
Dome & Coil Casting Studies
Two-part dome shellInitial two-part dome mold defined curvature and pour gates.Coil reinforcementAdded coil insert supports the Pantheon-inspired coffering.Pour and vent planSprue and vent layout balanced flow and air escape.Core assemblyInner core sculpted to preserve hollow dome geometry.Side shell AFirst dome side captured the oculus recess with clean draft.Side shell BMatching side ensured even wall thickness across the dome.Alignment checkDry-fit confirmed registration before committing to wax skin coating.Seal inspectionSecondary angle verified no daylight at the seam.Clamped assemblyRatchet clamps distributed pressure to keep joints sealed while pouring.Drystone ratioScale confirmed the 100 g to 20 mL mix documented in class.Drystone pourContinuous pour filled the cavity while vents released trapped air.Demolding domeControlled release preserved the wax liner for reuse.Drystone resultsCompleted domes show consistent thickness and smooth oculus edges.Base refinementBase trimming delivered a stable display surface.Play-Doh rehearsalCollaborative Play-Doh pour rehearsed timing before gypsum casting.Formed rehearsalFormwork captured key dimensions before thermal trials.Manual shapingHand forming refined curvature prior to trimming.Play-Doh mold outputRehearsal dome confirmed registration before final materials.Trimming rehearsalKnife trimming removed excess Play-Doh to mirror gypsum cleanup.Cast rehearsal productFinished Play-Doh part validated the workflow ahead of kiln tests.Pre-bake reviewSurface inspection ensured no cracks before oven curing.Post-bake stabilityBaked dome held form, validating heat tolerance for finishing.Core dryingVent channels released residual moisture to avoid warping.
Dome
Wax pre-coatMold cavities received a uniform wax skin before thermal leveling.Wax chargeFresh beeswax pellets melted down to recharge the brushes between coats.Melting workflowVideo walkthrough shows staged melting to avoid scorching the wax.Brush applicationMolten beeswax brushed across the mold to build a smooth release film.Ready meltHeld wax at a pourable viscosity to maintain consistent coating thickness.Tool layoutDedicated brushes and collection trays kept wax contamination off the molds.Thinning passReheating the surface thinned the wax to an even satin finish.Pour stagingParallel setups allowed synchronized pours to hit the target density.Release agentThree coats of release were applied with five-minute flash times between passes.Initial clampPrimary clamps secured the seam prior to adding perpendicular reinforcement.Secondary bracingPerimeter clamps distributed compression across the equator.Clamp cross-checkAlternate angle verified even pressure across the seam.Leveling passLevel referenced the sprue to guarantee an even fill height.Parallel poursSynchronous pours ensured both domes reached identical density.Edge sealingRe-waxed seam edges to lock in the mix during the exotherm.Mold 1 fillFirst dome reached the exact fill height without overflow.Mold 2 fillSecond dome mirrored the fill height, preserving batch parity.Overnight cureAssemblies rested overnight to reach handling strength without distortion.
Sequence Summary
Built a uniform wax barrier, melting fresh beeswax and brushing multiple coats before thinning to a satin finish.
Staged dual pour stations, alternating mold release coats while mixing 1,500 g of Drystone with staged 300 mL + 30 mL + 30 mL water additions for yogurt consistency.
Sequentially tightened clamps—primary, secondary, then triple leveling—to lock registration and maintain parting-line pressure.
Poured both domes in parallel, sealed seams with hot wax touch-ups, and confirmed fill height on each mold.
Allowed an overnight cure before demolding, ensuring consistent density and surface finish for the twin domes.
Dome Demolding
Score the seamLight pressure with the putty knife broke surface adhesion along the topology-optimized dome.Mirror the passRepeated the scoring pass on the base dome to free both halves evenly.Alternate leverageAlternating sides relieved stress, preventing chips at the registration keys.Set the guardTwo putty knives stacked to set a safe standoff before introducing the screwdriver.Progressive liftVideo shows the first incremental lift using dual knives to open the seam without tearing silicone.Controlled pryingSecond pass widened the gap just enough to stage the screwdriver safely.Sweep the perimeterSlim screwdriver advanced around the mold, chipping only inside the sacrificial area.Full perimeter passVideo documents the slow, circular sweep that cleared any remaining suction points.Topology optimized releaseFinished dome lifted free with edges intact for finishing.Base dome releaseCompanion base dome mirrored the clean separation, ready for sanding.Paired revealBoth domes released without chips, confirming the demolding playbook.
Sequence Summary
Ran a shallow putty-knife pass around each seam to break surface adhesion without disturbing registration.
Stacked two putty knives where the seam first opened, creating a protected gap before introducing a screwdriver.
Walked the screwdriver around the perimeter with minimal torque, letting any chips form on the interior only.
Finished with a straight lift once suction released, preserving the silicone and delivering chip-free domes.
Summary
Wax-coated mold halves, balanced venting, and rehearsed Play-Doh trials produced repeatable Drystone domes, while the end-to-end process captured in Dome Casting Sequence demonstrates disciplined wax prep, staggered hydration, and clamp management that mirror the silicone handling in Casting Workflow Refinement · Domes and the pre-wetting strategy in Arrow Mold · Mixing & Pouring Silicone. The new Dome Demolding sequence codifies the guarded putty-knife and screwdriver choreography that protected both the silicone tool and the cast domes.
Mirror Screen Coating Trials
Fixture setupOLED screen secured inside the Kurt J. Lesker chamber for even coating.Plasma phaseChamber plasma confirmed proper vacuum and deposition parameters.Coating resultsFinished mirrors show uniform reflectivity ready for integration.
Summary
PVD setup and plasma verification yielded evenly coated OLED mirrors, providing a surface reference for the silicone casting finish targeted in Arrow Mold · Demolding Silicone and the dome polish seen in Dome & Coil Casting Studies.
Mouse Bone Encapsulation Prep
Isolating tibia samples from 1-, 15-, and 25-month C57BL/6 female mice to compare age-dependent mechanical properties required controlled epoxy encapsulation.
Tibia inventoryCartilage-cleared tibiae sorted by age cohort prior to potting.Release agentMold release selected to protect bones during epoxy extraction.Hardener specificationLow-exotherm hardener chosen to avoid thermal damage to aged samples.Resin selectionClear casting resin chosen to enable optical inspection post-cure.Mold preparationUniform spray ensured effortless demolding of the encapsulated bones.Precision mixingStoichiometric mix safeguarded mechanical integrity for subsequent testing.Encapsulation pourBones submerged gently to avoid microbubble entrapment before curing.
Bone
Unmounting cured samplesGentle leverage freed the epoxy pucks while protecting the embedded tibiae.Mounted for testingCured mounts labeled by age group and staged for mechanical assays.
Sequence Summary
Released the cured epoxy slugs with alternating pry points to avoid stressing the tibia interfaces.
Indexed each mount, confirmed bubble-free encapsulation, and queued samples for biomechanical testing.
Repurposed the dinosaur silicone mold to cast a toothless “rock” mascot, tuning clamp force to protect the delicate jawline while celebrating the Kryptonite arrow narrative.
Mold fillDinosaur cavity flooded with the Drystone batch while tapping chased bubbles from the teeth.Vertical cureSuspended the mold to relieve pressure on the jawline during the initial set.Clamp assistLight clamps maintained seam compression without distorting the snout.Toothless revealFinal casting emerged with rounded features ready for finishing glaze.Scale comparisonArrow prop displayed alongside the dinosaur rock to highlight narrative cohesion.Performance testPlayful motion test confirmed the cast withstands handling for demos.Durability checkLight-hearted clip shows the “toothless” jaw resisting chips even without enamel.
Sequence Summary
Flooded the dinosaur mold and tapped out bubbles, focusing on the facial features.
Hung the tool during gelation, then transferred to a lightly clamped cradle to finish curing without seam creep.
Demolded and presented the toothless rock, pairing it with the arrow prop to confirm scale and storytelling.
Ran handling demos that double as durability checks before sealing the surface.
Summary
Creative reuse of the dinosaur mold produced a durable “toothless” mascot that showcases finishing consistency with the Arrow Casting · Finishing Sequence and extends the storytelling from the dome and bone studies.
Final mold envelopeComposite view confirming the scaled Kryptonite arrow comfortably fits the wax stock while preserving registration bosses.Concept baselineInitial STL import prior to scaling showcased the silhouette and informed draft angle planning.Span verificationPrecise horizontal checks ensured the arrow stayed within the 7-inch wax travel limits.Parting strategyUsing a projection plane to define the parting split prevented undercuts before machining.Half-model isolationClean split of the geometry produced machinable halves without internal voids.Thickness clearanceVertical caliper checks confirmed flute reach and the 5 mm wax wall buffer.Wax block fitA dedicated bounding block quantified machineable allowance before toolpathing.Base plane creationA leveled base ensured consistent Z probing and located the pour sprue.Registration geometryPerimeter walls and pins locked mold halves against lateral drift.Work coordinate systemOrigin placed at the wax corner aligned CAM operations with the Bantam workflow.Heights sanity checkFusion’s heights inspector validated safe retracts above clamp hardware.Adaptive toolpath3D adaptive pattern densified around fins to reduce scalloping before finishing.Roughing stock modelStock preview confirmed consistent scallop height for subsequent flat passes.Flat finish setupA quarter-inch flat traced planar faces to erase adaptive step marks.Flat finish resultSimulation showed smooth flats ahead of the rest machining step.Fine flat cleanupSecondary flat operation focused on root regions prone to chatter.Fine flat verificationRest machining volume dropped significantly after the second flat pass.Parallel finishingDense stepover parallel passes polished the curved fins and core.Pencil cleanupPencil passes targeted the seams to preserve crisp edges.
Operation simulationToolpath simulation confirmed safe clearances before committing to machining.Before vs. after stockComparison playback highlighted material removal efficiency across passes.
Summary
CAD refinements locked the envelope, parting line, and fixtures, while CAM simulations qualified adaptive, flat, and pencil strategies used downstream in Arrow Mold Machining and informed the silicone pour volumes documented in Casting Workflow Refinement.
Green Arrow’s Kryptonite arrow contingency doubles as a personal reminder: “You have failed this city” becomes “I will not fail this class.” The kryptonite arrow reminds us that even the strongest heroes need someone who can keep them in check, and is a symbol for me to always remember to keep moving forward, no matter what!
Video: Green Arrow highlight reel. If link fails, search "Green Arrow you have failed this city."
Lore Snapshot
First appearance in The Dark Knight Returns (1986): one-armed Oliver Queen fires a Kryptonite-tipped arrow to weaken Superman.
Recurring contingency in mainline comics and television — Cisco gifts Oliver the arrowhead in Arrow S4E8, and it finally sees action against Overgirl in the Crisis on Earth-X crossover.
The arrow symbolises preparedness, human ingenuity, and accountability among heroes — a reminder to double-check assumptions and keep the team safe.
Collective material trials, consolidated in Group Assignment Summary, set the safety and mixing playbook that the individual workflows in Individual Assignment Summary expanded into detailed arrow, dome, mirror, and biomedical casts.
Contributions
Training & Demos
Huge thanks to Anthony for the detailed molding-and-casting training session and the lion casting demo that informed our safety reminders.
Dome Design Support
Appreciation to James and the 1.583 course staff—Prof. Josephine Carstensen and TAs Hajin and Dat—for guidance on the Pantheon dome concept.
Mold Strategy
Shout-out to Omar Al Dajani’s shuriken documentation for sparking the two-part mold plan, and to Anthony for helping translate that into a reliable three-part mold workflow.
Ethical AI Use
Lore Research
ChatGPT helped compile Kryptonite arrow canon and symbolism for the motivation section. Transcript: Kryptonite Arrow Lore.
Cursor Session · Week 9 Recitation Prep
Documented AI-assisted recap of Quentin Bolsee’s recitation notes, later refined into the highlights and training sections.
Tracked the Cursor-led sprint for sequencing images, captions, and highlights throughout this page; prompts and responses validated every media addition and subsummary.
Other AI-assisted tasks from earlier weeks remain documented in their respective pages; no additional generative content was used beyond rewriting notes for clarity.
Added anchor-linked highlight cards and a new third highlight row so each featured image jumps directly to its documentation section, including fresh callouts for the dome molds and demolded domes.
``32:114:week9.html
Material Trials and Safety Reviews
Group SDS review and Anthony’s lion casting demo informed our material tests.
...
Base and topology optimized domes
Final demold showcased the matched finish across both domes.
`
Documented a complete
Dome Demolding sub-subsection with stepwise captions, three embedded videos, and refreshed summary language to capture the guarded putty-knife and screwdriver workflow.
`1020:1086:week9.html
Dome Demolding
Score the seamLight pressure with the putty knife broke surface adhesion along the topology-optimized dome.
...
Paired revealBoth domes released without chips, confirming the demolding playbook.
Sequence Summary
Ran a shallow putty-knife pass around each seam to break surface adhesion without disturbing registration.
Stacked two putty knives where the seam first opened, creating a protected gap before introducing a screwdriver.
Walked the screwdriver around the perimeter with minimal torque, letting any chips form on the interior only.
Finished with a straight lift once suction released, preserving the silicone and delivering chip-free domes.
Testing
Not run (static HTML updates).
Next Steps
Open
week9.html in the browser to confirm new anchors scroll correctly and media plays as expected.
Commit when satisfied.
html
Material Trials and Safety Reviews
Group SDS review and Anthony’s lion casting demo informed our material tests.
...
Base and topology optimized domes
Final demold showcased the matched finish across both domes.
html
Dome Demolding
Score the seamLight pressure with the putty knife broke surface adhesion along the topology-optimized dome.
...
Paired revealBoth domes released without chips, confirming the demolding playbook.
Sequence Summary
Ran a shallow putty-knife pass around each seam to break surface adhesion without disturbing registration.
Stacked two putty knives where the seam first opened, creating a protected gap before introducing a screwdriver.
Walked the screwdriver around the perimeter with minimal torque, letting any chips form on the interior only.
Finished with a straight lift once suction released, preserving the silicone and delivering chip-free domes.
``
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