Introduction to Casting for

3D Printed Jewelry Patterns

The way jewelers work is changing, and castable photopolymer resins are leading the way. From independent
designers concepting and prototyping in their studios, to casting houses increasing capacity and diversifying their
offerings, digital fabrication techniques are increasingly key to growing a successful jewelry business. In this guide,
learn how to cast fine jewelry pieces from patterns 3D printed on the Form 2.

Request a Sample Part 3D Printed in Castable Wax Resin ›

Learn About Casting and Jewelry Production from Formlabs ›

July 2019 | formlabs.com

What Is Direct Investment Casting?
Direct investment casting, or lost wax casting, is a popular moldmaking technique that
can be used to fabricate small and large parts in a wide variety of metals. Originating
over 5,000 years ago, casting enables creators to work with a wide variety of materials
and is one of the easiest ways to make metal parts.

In investment casting, a hollow mold is created from a hand-sculpted or 3D printed master

pattern. The master is immersed in a refractory casting material (or “investment”), which
dries and hardens. The wax or 3D printed pattern is burned out, leaving a negative mold
of the design. Metal is poured into this hollow cavity to create the final part.

Wax patterns for intricate jewelry are complicated to produce by hand, and in a world
driven by high demand and fast fashion, it can be difficult for hand-crafted pieces to
keep pace. Advanced materials and affordable in-house 3D printers like the Form 2 are
changing the way jewelry manufacturers and designers work, bringing industrial quality
to the desktop and making it easier to produce and fit complicated geometries that
once required hours of meticulous labor.

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 2

 Table of Contents
Design for Casting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Print and Prepare Parts for Casting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Build the Sprue Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Prepare the Mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Burnout and Casting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Burnout Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Troubleshooting Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Learn More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Essentials

Made by Formlabs Made by Third Parties

• Form 2 (SLA) 3D Printer • R&R Plasticast with BANDUST investment
• Castable Wax Resin • Furnace (732 °C or 1400 °F), vacuum investment machine,
or Castable Resin and casting system such as Neutec J2R
• PreForm software (free) • Alternative curing solutions: Gesswein UV
Curing Chamber
• Finish Kit or Form Wash
• Surfactant coating such as Wax Wash from Gesswein
• Form Cure

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 3

1. Design for Casting
Use CAD software such as RhinoGold, JewelCAD, or 3Design to take your parts from
concept to 3D printed pattern using these best practices.

Design of traditional wax patterns and 3D printed resin patterns share many principles, such
as the importance of smooth material flow. Where possible, avoid creating sharp corners that
could increase turbulence. As with wax, orient the design so that it fills from larger voids to
smaller channels and features.

SPRUES
While large feed sprues can be created with normal wax, small sprue channels may be 3D
printed to save labor and improve mold fill to areas of fine detail. Design feed sprues that
are either straight or taper down towards the piece.

Supports added in PreForm should not be used as sprues. If you intend to 3D print sprues,
we recommend incorporating them into your CAD design.

FILIGREE
The exceptional detail of Castable Wax Resin allows you to create pieces with intricate filigree.
These fine meshes of wires are challenging but possible to cast with careful sprue design.

Fine meshes can be printed with a wire diameter as thin as 0.3 mm. Printed filigree is
fragile and easily damaged by support removal. Design filigree parts to be as self-
supporting as possible. 3D printed sprues may serve a dual purpose as supports that are Sprues
removed after casting.
0.3 mm wire
To avoid metal freezing in these thin channels, add sprues that feed metal to many points
on the rim of a filigree mesh.

LARGER PARTS Drain hole

Formlabs Castable Wax Resin is suitable for printing and casting larger jewelry and other
cast parts. Convert your design to a thin-walled shell to minimize the expansion forces on
the investment during burnout. Parts thicker than 4 mm should be shelled, and drain holes
must be added to allow resin to flush out of the hollow interior. Uncured resin will not burn out
cleanly, resulting in ash residue defects.

Formlabs recommends 0.7 mm thick walls for hollow shells printed in Castable Wax Resin. A
lattice structure can also be added to the interior to improve the
handling strength of large shelled parts.

Learn about the basics of digital jewelry design for best results in both
0.7 mm thick walls
3D printing and direct investment casting in our white paper.
Lattice structure

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 4

2. Print and Prepare Parts for Casting
Jewelry patterns can be printed in large batches on the Form 2 desktop 3D
printer. Packing the build platform with parts offers the best possible efficiency
and throughput. After printing in your desired orientation, follow these steps to prepare the
patterns for spruing and investing.

WASHING
Thoroughly washing parts in 90%+ isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is critical to a clean
casting. Excess uncured resin can interfere with investment curing and will cause
casting defects such as pitting.

Allow the parts to fully dry after removing them from the IPA bath. Use compressed air to
ensure all IPA is fully evaporated prior to post-curing and casting. If Castable Wax parts are
still sticky after washing and drying, you may need to replace your IPA.

Castable Wax Resin Castable Resin Note:

Do not leave parts in IPA longer
Form Wash 10 min Form Wash 10 min than necessary. Form Wash lifts
parts out of IPA automatically to
10 min + 5 min (second 10 min + 5 min (second avoid accidental overwashing
Cleaning Kit Cleaning Kit
wash in clean IPA) wash in clean IPA)
and distortion.

CURING
The polymer structure of a resin pattern should be thoroughly crosslinked by 405 nm light
to facilitate a clean burnout. Formlabs resins are cured to different degrees by the Form 2
printer, and some require a post-cure step if they are to be investment cast.

Castable Wax Resin does not require a post-curing step and offers improved
casting efficiency. Post-curing Castable Wax parts may cause a small (<1%) degree
of shrinkage.

Post-cure parts printed in Castable Resin until the surface is hard and rigid. Rotating parts Castable Resin, green (left)
ensures an even post-cure. Form Cure will automatically rotate parts, but if using another and post-cured (right)
method, it may be necessary to manually flip or rotate parts during the post-cure. Castable
prints will change from bright blue to dark, matte blue during post-cure.

Castable Wax Resin Castable Resin

Form Cure Form Cure 4 hours @ 60 °C

Not Required

Nail Salon Nail Salon 8 hours

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 5

3. Build the Sprue Tree
Attach the post-processed prints to a main wax sprue with sticky sprue wax. Melt the wax to
create smooth junctions between each printed pattern and its feed sprue.

A wax heat pen makes it easier to join resin

patterns to the wax sprue tree.

Tip:
Printed resin patterns do not melt. If
you have difficulty joining a print to a
wax sprue, try using a small amount
of super glue or fast setting epoxy.

Arrange thicker parts at the bottom and thinner parts at the top of the tree. 3D printed
parts may require slightly more space between parts than a traditional wax tree. If you are
casting large “thin-shelled” parts, make sure to fill any drain holes with wax to prevent any
investment material from entering the print.

SURFACTANT COATINGS
A very common casting defect is caused by bubbles trapped around the pattern while
pouring the investment mold. Inexpensive surfactant coatings or “debubblizers” such as Wax
Wash help prevents bubbles from sticking to prints. A surfactant coating is especially useful
when casting filigree models which are prone to trapping bubbles.

Formlabs recommends dipping your pattern tree into a debubblizer solution and allowing it to
fully dry before pouring your investment.

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 6

4. Prepare the Mold
The following steps are a standard procedure for preparing any investment flask mold.
A vacuum investing machine helps to evenly mix, degas, and pour the investment easily
and cleanly. However, it is also possible to use a separate mixer and vacuum chamber.

1  ttach a casting flask to the sprue base. If the flask is perforated,

A 2  ix investment powder and cold distilled water according to
M
wrap it with clear packing tape to contain the investment. manufacturer’s instructions. Adding slightly less water to the mixture
will usually increase investment strength, although viscosity will
also increase (more difficult to degas). Mix on slow speed until the
powder is completely wet.

3  lowly pour the investment down the side of the flask, avoiding
S 4  arefully remove rubber sprue base from the flask and allow
C
the pattern tree. A smooth pour is less likely to trap bubbles. Use a it to set in a vibration-free environment for 2-6 hours.
vacuum chamber to extract any bubbles from the flask. Allow the
Follow the investment manufacturer’s safety recommendations. We
investment to harden and dry.
recommend wearing a dust mask or respirator.

INVESTMENT MATERIAL OPTIONS

Formlabs recommends using an investment powder advertised When using alternative investments, incorporate the manufacturer’s
to work with resin patterns, such as Plasticast with BANDUST by burnout recommendations.
Ransom and Randolph. If you are casting thicker parts, consider
upgrading to a stronger investment material such as Ultravest Maxx
Note: The working time for mixing the investment and preparing
with BANDUST.
the mold varies depending on flask size. Follow the investment
Formlabs customers have reported success with Kerr SatinCast and manufacturer’s instructions for mixing ratios and bench set time.
Omega+ by Goldstar Powders. Bonded investments designed for
dental applications can also be used, and offer much faster burnout
cycles at a higher cost.

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 7

5. Burnout and Casting
Place the casting flask in the burnout oven and heat using the recommended Burnout
Schedule. Make adjustments depending on the investment instructions, flask size, and
amount of printed material.

If starting the burnout with a hot oven, make sure that the flasks have been resting for at least
5 hours, otherwise the plaster might crack when the water expands and turns into steam.

Formlabs recommends using a well-ventilated furnace (with an inlet and an outlet), to provide
sufficient air flow throughout the chamber and to safely exhaust all vaporized resin material.

SHORT BURNOUT
Castable Wax Resin is 20% wax-filled, which allows printed patterns to partially break down
earlier in the burnout cycle — enabling faster burnout times for Castable Wax patterns.
Short burnout is limited to certain geometries and higher end investment materials such as Place flasks in a well ventilated burnout oven.
R&R’s Ultravest Maxx. Learn the details in the Usage Guide for Castable Wax.

Tips:
• Venting is essential, but it can cause the temperature in the oven to drop. Monitor
the oven and flask temperature and adjust your process as you develop a
burnout schedule suited to your own equipment.

• If using active ventilation, increase suction as much as possible to improve airflow
throughout the oven.

• If the oven is full, burnout will be less effective per flask. Attach an oxygen
generator to the oven to increase the airflow.

Vacuum or centrifugal casting methods improve

CASTING
fill to thin details.
Remove the mold from the furnace and cast metal. Centrifugal or vacuum casting machines
such as the Neutec J2R (USA) and the Indutherm MC-series (EU) are simple to use and
highly controllable.

After casting, carefully quench the mold in water and wash away the investment.

PRECIOUS METAL COMPATIBILITY

Formlabs has tested gold, silver, and bronze castings from Castable Wax patterns.

Metal compatibility is foremost a property of the investment. Different metals require varying
degrees of temperature resistance from the investment.

Castable Wax requires temperatures of at least 732 °C to complete burnout. Ask the
manufacturer if you are unsure about resin pattern compatibility with a specific investment.

Quench and devest the flask by submerging

it in water.

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 8

 Burnout Schedule
Formlabs offers Castable Wax and Castable Resins for jewelry investment casting. Castable Wax
Resin is designed to offer improved flexibility in its burnout schedule, and casters should first and
foremost follow the manufacturers instructions for their investment material when using Castable
Wax. Castable Resin is a legacy product which requires a more specific, gentle burnout schedule.

Recommended schedules for each material are shown below, for use with R&R Plasticast with
BANDUST investment.

Castable Wax Resin

PHASE TIME SCHEDULE °C SCHEDULE °F
900 800

800 Insert
700 Flasks 0 min 21 °C 70 °F
700 A 600
TEMPERATURE (C)

TEMPERATURE (C)
600 Ramp
500
60 min 4.7 °C / min 8.4 °F / min
500
400
400 Hold 480 min 300 °C 572 °F
300
300

200 Ramp
200 100 min 4.5 °C / min 8.1 °F / min
100 B 100

0
A B C
Hold
0
A
180 min B
750 °C C
1382 °F D

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

TIME (hours) Ramp 60 min - TIME

4.0 °C / min
(hours) - 7.1 °F / min
C 512 °C 954 °F
Up to 2
Casting Window (or desired (or desired
hours
casting temp) casting temp)

Castable Resin
PHASE TIME SCHEDULE °C SCHEDULE °F
800

700 Insert Flasks 0 min Room temp Room temp

600
TEMPERATURE (C)

500
A Ramp 150 min 1.0 °C / min 1.9 °F / min
400
Hold 30 min 177 °C 350 °F
300

200
B Ramp 270 min 2.1 °C / min 3.7 °F / min
100
A B C D

17
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
C Hold 180 min 732 °C 1350 °F
TIME (hours)
Ramp 150 min - 1.7 °C / min - 3.0 °F / min

D Hold Up to 2 482 °C 900 °F

(casting window) hours or desired or desired
casting temp casting temp

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 9

Troubleshooting Checklist

PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION

Investment is too viscous Increase amount of water added to investment.

Small bubbles
Investment working time too short to fully degas flask Use cold water in mixture.
on casting

Bubbles trapped against pattern Use a surfactant coating (debubblizer).

Decrease amount of water added to investment.

Metal flashing
Increase bench set time after investing.
or Investment too weak and
cracked or damaged during burnout
Jagged blobs Increase spacing between resin patterns.
on casting
Slow burnout ramp rate.

Porous surface Metal shrinking during cooling, without a reserve of

Add reservoirs to sprue tree.
on casting molten metal to draw from

Place additional sprues.

Partial fill on thin
Metal freezing in mold
sections or filigree
Increase casting temperature.

Extend time at peak burnout temperature.

Pitted surface Ash residue remaining from incomplete burnout Increase air flow in burnout oven.

Evacuate flask with air prior to casting.

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 10

Papilio Ring, LACE by Jenny Wu

Learn More About Digital Jewelry Fabrication

To learn more about Formlabs printers and Castable Wax Resin, speak with our team:
https://formlabs.com/company/contact/

Casting is an involved process, so for best results, we suggest working with a casting
specialist. To find our list of recommended casting houses, visit:
https://formlabs.com/company/recommended-casting-houses

Special thanks to Lars Sögaard Nielsen and the KEA (Copenhagen School of Design
and Technology) for letting Formlabs document their casting process.

RELATED RESOURCES

Designing for 3D Printed Jewelry

An introduction to desktop stereolithography 3D printing for jewelry, covering tips and tricks
for success in printing and casting with many detailed examples.

Vulcanized Rubber Molding for 3D Printed Masters

Learn how to use the Form 2 to produce multiple wax pieces by 3D printing a mold master
for use in room temperature and medium temperature vulcanization processes.

Selling Custom Jewelry with 3D Printing

The Form 2 is easy to use and is suitable for operation in a showroom or retail environment.
Learn strategies for using 3D printed maquettes to provide a better client experience for
custom work.

INTRODUCTION TO CASTING FOR 3D PRINTED JEWELRY PATTERNS 11