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3D models made of silver, copper, bronze and brass are created from wax models
Anyone who deals with the topic of metal 3D printing will quickly realize that metal printing – in terms of the process – is not the same as metal printing. In fact, the 3D printable metals can be divided into 2 groups, namely the SLM printable metals and the wax model printable metals. A special case gold since it can now (meaning: since mid-2015) be printed in both processes.
SLM versus wax model 3D printing metals
In addition to aluminum (as a light metal), the first group also includes stainless steel, which we offer in the two material variants SS420 and L316. These metals are printed using Selective Laser Melting, also known as SLM process. The metal, which is in powder form, is applied to the printing plate, where it is locally melted using a laser beam. The structure specified in the 3D files is built up in such a way that the molten metal solidifies exactly in the shape of the desired 3D model.
More precious metals such as copper, bronze, brass and of course silver are less suitable for this form of 3D printing processing. 3D printing with these metals therefore uses a wax model, and the respective metal itself is then processed conventionally. First of all, a wax model of the later metal object defined in the 3D files is created, namely in the MultiJet Printing-Proceedings.
In this 3D printing process, a liquid and at the same time light-sensitive plastic (a so-called photopolymer) is applied to the printing plate in tiny droplets via a print head and cured immediately with the help of a light source in the print head. In this way, the wax model is built up layer by layer using the CAD files.
From the 3D printer to the metal forge
What happens after that corresponds to the traditional art of metal casting, as mastered by the ancient Egyptians around 5000 years ago. The first step is to create a cast of the wax model from a ceramic mass. In the next step, this cast is heated in the oven. Finally, this hardened and still hot casting is filled with liquid silver, copper, bronze or brass, which solidifies in the exact desired shape when it cools down.
Because of their noble design, 3D models made of silver, copper, bronze and brass are of course mainly used in art and design area Use. Specifically, in addition to rings, chains and pendants, coins, medals or smaller statues can be mentioned.
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