Molding and Casting


molding
   types
      injection (sprue, runner, gate, vent, parting line, flashing)
      insert, overmolding
      vacuum
      blow
      rotational, centrifugal
      slip casting
      vacuum, pressure assisted
      die, investment casting
      flexible, soft, short-run production
      mold, parts, frame, registration video
   vendors
      Smooth-On
      Reynolds Advanced Materials
      Dick Blick
      West Marine
      USG
      Jesmonite
      Chockfast
      Aremco
      Protolabs
      Neutec
   materials
      low-temp wax
      machineable wax DIY
      rigid foam
         gesso, epoxy, shrink wrap, hot air
      wood
      alginate gel
      urethane rubber, plastic, colorants
      clear rubber epoxy
      silicone, FAQ, high-temp, PDMS
      latex
      thermoplastic, thermoset polymers
      calcium sulfate
         desicant, coagulant, plaster, gypsum, drywall
         Drystone
      Portland cement
         calcium silicate, aluminum/iron oxide, calcium sulfate
         Hydro-Stone
      metal
         Cerrotru casting polishing
         aluminum sandcasting glass
      ceramic
      food
      Playdough
      natural
   additives
      fibers (tension, compression, composites)
      fillers: density, conductivity, flexibility, ...
   processing
      workspace
      cleaning, contamination
      testing
      mixing
         water capacity
         weight vs volume
         consistency
         striations
      time
         work
         demold
      filling
         pouring
         starting
         vent location
         submerging
      bubbles
         stirring, pouring, vibrating, painting, vacuum, pressure, time
      curing
         polymerization
         cross-linking
         hydration
         endothermic
         exothermic
      demolding
         draft angle
         release agents
            dilute dish soap, cooking spray, vaseline, talc, ...
         deformation
      storage
      shelf life
   safety
      warnings
      SDS
      ventilation
      protection
      disposal
   printing printing
   machining
      surface finish
      rough, finish, stepover
      tool types
         flat end, ball end, bull nose
         extra long, long neck, tapered
         micro
      strategies
      cut depth, shank, collet, collision, slope
   software
      ShopBot VCarve Pro
      Fusion 360 Moldflow
      Solidworks Plastics
      FreeCAD Path experimental
      mods rough finish

assignment assignment assignment 
   group assignment:
      review the safety data sheets for each of your molding and casting materials,
         then make and compare test casts with each of them
      compare printing vs machining molds
   individual assignment:
      design a mold around the process you'll be using,
         produce it with a smooth surface finish,
         and use it to cast parts
      extra credit: use more then two mold parts