To celebrate their grand opening, the folks at the QC Co-Lab hackerspace in Davenport, Iowa decided to cast some bronze coins with their logo on them. They started by printing the design on a Makerbot, then used the plastic prints to form sand molds for the pour. Looks like fun! [via Makerbot]
14 thoughts on “Bronze-casting coins from 3d-printed parts”
waldosays:
It’s in Davenport, Iowa, guys. Iowa.
Matt Metssays:
Right, thanks.
jarkmansays:
I tried a bit of lost-wax bronze casting using a Makerbot-printed part in ABS, with promising results. In a ‘this will be great when I learn how to do it properly’ kind of a way.
Unlike sand casting, the process destroys the master, but it does allow parts to have undercuts and so on which would be impossible to sand-cast. The resolution should be better, too.
Isn’t it easier to cast things in zinc, due to its lower melting temperature?
netmagdavesays:
Nahh, 3d-printers let you print in incredible fidelity in plastic. See the Objet Alaris30 (http://bit.ly/aJBtDs) for an example.
MadRatsays:
What I meant was isn’t it easier to use zinc instead of bronze?
jarkmansays:
It would be easier to use zinc, and even easier to use pewter or one of the low-melt alloys sold for casting model soldiers. You can cast pewter and cooler alloys into silicone moulds, which give you great resolution.
Our websites use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Some of these are essential for the basic functionalities of our websites. In addition, we use third-party cookies to help us analyze and understand usage. These will be stored in your browser only with your consent and you have the option to opt-out. Your choice here will be recorded for all Make.co Websites.
Allow Non-Necessary Cookies
Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!
Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).
It’s in Davenport, Iowa, guys. Iowa.
Right, thanks.
I tried a bit of lost-wax bronze casting using a Makerbot-printed part in ABS, with promising results. In a ‘this will be great when I learn how to do it properly’ kind of a way.
Unlike sand casting, the process destroys the master, but it does allow parts to have undercuts and so on which would be impossible to sand-cast. The resolution should be better, too.
Here’s a few pictures and process notes:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jarkman/100923_lost_abs_casting#
Isn’t it easier to cast things in zinc, due to its lower melting temperature?
Nahh, 3d-printers let you print in incredible fidelity in plastic. See the Objet Alaris30 (http://bit.ly/aJBtDs) for an example.
What I meant was isn’t it easier to use zinc instead of bronze?
It would be easier to use zinc, and even easier to use pewter or one of the low-melt alloys sold for casting model soldiers. You can cast pewter and cooler alloys into silicone moulds, which give you great resolution.
But bronze does make a much nicer thing.