With 3D printed PVA molds you can easily cast highly detailed objects from Metal Fluid.
Not every object can be cast in a traditional two-part folding mold, mostly because some details and more complex shapes couldn’t be retrieved from it. Disposable 3D printed PVA molds are a good alternative in such situations, enabling you to cold-cast highly detailed objects from Metal Fluid.
Utilizing 3D printed PVA molds
Designer Eliza Wrobel wanted to cast a set of Egyptian-themed figures (originally designed by Zorum). She decided to make disposable 3D printed PVA molds that would enable her to recreate the high level of detail from the original 3D model. First, she took the models and designed simple mold forms with inlets around them.
In Voxelizer software, Eliza was able to prepare her molds for printing by using a PVA preset and adjusting it for 1.75 mm Plastic Extruder mounted on ZMorph 2.0 SX multitoool 3D printer. It took several hours to 3D print the molds. They were ready to use straight out of the machine – no post-processing was needed at this stage.
3D printed PVA molds are perfect for Metal Fluid casting because they don’t deform once the material starts to give back heat. Metal Fluid is a mix of metal grit in a resin binder that looks, feels, and weighs almost exactly the same as brass, bronze, and other metals. Once the material was poured into the molds, it needed a few hours to stiff.
After putting them in water for 24 hours, 3D printed PVA molds dissolved completely. Eliza was then able to clean her model from residue material and star post-processing of the metal objects.
Casted figures required sanding to eliminate 3D printing layers and a resin residue that settles over the metal. After that, it’s good to clean the model of any dust and use polishing paste to bring out the patination effect on the metal. This way the figures got a stylish, antique look.
Many possible applications
3D printed PVA molds can be used to cast highly detailed objects from Metal Fluid that couldn’t be made with any other DIY or low-cost casting method. This way freelance designers, artists, and small companies owning a multitool 3D printer can create their own unique metal figures, statuettes for prizes, paper buttons, bookends, stylish decorations, and even silver jewelry.
This method could also be successfully applied to create antique replicas and high-quality movie props at a fraction of previous costs. It’s much easier and less time-consuming than traditional mold making and metal casting too.
7 Comments
Awesome, i am very interested in Zmorph. Where does one buy such tins of fluid metal and what kind of metals can you do this way ? Is a cold cast piece strong or brittle ? Cheers, Kurt
The cold cast is very strong – very similar to real metal. The material itself is called Metal Fluid, it’s from from Prochima company and we found it in an online hardware store.
Thank you Marcin, any idea what a tin of 1 or 5l would cost me roughly ?
Where can I purchase this “metal fluid”?
It’s Metal Fluid from Prochima. We ordered it easily online.
hello ! i am in Canada… looking to buy metal fluid from Prochima but they won’t to sell in Canada … my question is : do you know similar products in Usa or Canada? thank you for your time
Hey Viorel. If that particular product is unavailable in your region, just try searching for a cold cast metal resin. Maybe https://www.smooth-on.com/ ?
Cheers