How to use 3D printing silicone mold resin correctly

3D printing technology enables the one-time production of injection molds: Traditional injection molding requires at least two hours per person to complete the process, including molding, vacuum wax injection, and mold assembly. This traditional method consumes a significant amount of manpower and time. However, with our technology, we can produce 135 molds at once in just a few hours, whereas the traditional production method would take 270-300 hours. This innovative technology is fostering jewelry marvels.

Here’s a detailed step-by-step description of the process of using 3D printing and silicone mold resin for jewelry making:

Initial Design:

  1. Initial Design:
  • Start by creating a digital 3D model of the jewelry piece using specialized software like CAD (Computer-Aided Design).
  • Ensure that the model is accurate, detailed, and tailored to the desired size and shape of the final jewelry piece.
  • Make any necessary design adjustments to optimize it for 3D printing and silicone molding.
  1. 3D Printing:
  • Load the finalized 3D model file into a compatible 3D printer.
  • Prepare the printer by leveling the printing bed and ensuring the printer is properly calibrated.
  • Choose a suitable filament material, preferably a high-resolution jewelry-grade resin, for the 3D printing process.
  • Start the printing process, allowing the printer to layer by layer, solidify the resin based on the 3D model.
  1. Post-Processing:
  • Once the printing is complete, remove the 3D printed jewelry piece from the printer.
  • Carefully remove any support structures or rafts used during the printing process.
  • Clean the printed piece using a solvent like isopropyl alcohol to remove any uncured resin residue.
  • Allow the printed piece to fully air dry.
  1. Silicone Mold Preparation:
  • Choose a suitable silicone molding material specifically designed for jewelry making.
  • Prepare the silicone mold by cutting it into the desired shape and size for the jewelry piece.
  • Ensure that the mold is clean and free from any contaminants or debris that may affect the quality of the cast.
  1. Mold Making:
  • Mix the silicone mold material according to the manufacturer’s instructions, making sure to achieve a proper ratio of the base and catalyst.
  • Pour the mixed silicone into a container and carefully place the 3D printed jewelry piece inside, ensuring that it is fully submerged.
  • Allow the silicone to cure and solidify based on the recommended curing time.
  1. Mold Cutting:
  • After the silicone has fully cured, remove the container and carefully cut the mold to separate it into two halves.
  • Take caution to cut along the designated parting line, ensuring that the mold can easily open and close for casting.
  1. Wax Injection:
  • Warm up a suitable jewelry wax material and inject it into the silicone mold cavity using a wax injector.
  • Fill the mold slowly, allowing the wax to flow evenly and fill all the intricate details of the jewelry piece.
  • Once filled, let the wax cool and solidify inside the mold to form a wax replica of the jewelry.
  1. Wax Assembly and Tree Formation:
  • Remove the wax replicas from the silicone mold and assemble multiple wax pieces onto a central stem called a wax tree.
  • Attach the wax pieces to the tree at predetermined positions using wax or hot tools.
  • Create a layout that maximizes the number of jewelry pieces that can be cast and ensures proper gating and spruing for the molten metal.
  1. Investment Molding:
  • Prepare a suitable investment material, commonly a specialized plaster-like investment powder mixed with water.
  • Place the wax tree assembly into a flask and carefully pour the investment material over it, ensuring that all the wax pieces are adequately covered.
  • Allow the investment material to harden and solidify to create a strong and heat-resistant mold.
  1. Burnout:
  • Place the investment mold into a burnout furnace to gradually heat it and burn out the wax, leaving behind a cavity for the molten metal.
  • Maintain specific temperature and time parameters to ensure that all the wax is completely burned out without damaging the mold.
  1. Casting:
  • Preheat a crucible or melting furnace and melt the desired precious or semi-precious metal, such as gold, silver, or platinum.
  • Place the investment mold into a casting machine or centrifugal caster and carefully pour the molten metal into the mold.
  • Allow the metal to solidify under controlled cooling conditions, ensuring that it fills the mold cavity and forms the desired jewelry piece.
  1. Removing the Casting:
  • Once the metal has solidified, remove the investment mold from the casting machine or centrifugal caster.
  • Submerge the mold in water to cool it and fracture the investment material, making it easier to remove from the casting.
  1. Finishing:
  • Retrieve the cast jewelry piece from the mold and examine it for any imperfections or surface irregularities.
  • Use various jewelry-making tools, such as files, sandpaper, or polishing wheels, to remove any casting sprues, excess metal, or rough edges.
  • Polish the jewelry piece to achieve the desired surface finish, shine, and appearance.
  • Incorporate any additional gemstones, engravings, or surface treatments as desired.
  1. Final Inspection and Quality Check:
  • Thoroughly inspect the finished jewelry piece to ensure it meets the intended design and quality standards.
  • Examine for any surface defects, porosity, or other inconsistencies that may require further refinement or corrections.
  1. Packaging and Presentation:
  • Finally, carefully package the finished jewelry piece in an appropriate jewelry box or packaging for presentation or sale.

Note: It’s crucial to follow proper safety precautions, such as using protective equipment, handling materials responsibly, and ensuring proper ventilation when dealing with resin, mold-making materials, or molten metal.

IFUN3D participates in the 2025 Iran Jewelry Exhibition 

Contact IFUN

Global Contact Form

By submitting the form, you agree that we can contact you through the contact information you provided and respond to your inquiry.

Get a quote

Inquiry Form

By submitting the form, you agree that we can contact you through the contact information you provided and respond to your inquiry.