From Design to Cast: 3D Manufacturing

Join Scott Bradford and Gregg Burgard as they bring jewelry design to life using a digital workflow, from CAD through casting. The duo discuss and demonstrate ZBrush CAD software, the Formlabs Form 3 printer and Castable Wax 40 Resin, and finally, casting with the Neutec® J-2R™ Casting Machine. Watch now and begin your own 3D manufacturing process with confidence!
Check out the products used in this video:
ZBrush 2021 Software - ow.ly/4cNy30rHyK5
Formlabs Jewelry-Edition Form 3 3D Printer - ow.ly/qnPs30rHyKq
Formlabs Castable Wax 40 Resin - ow.ly/rAwq30rHyKE
Neutec® J-2R™ Casting Machine -
Rio Grande stands for makers who create with their hands and their hearts and who are courageous enough to make jewelry their livelihood.
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[@jarabito001]

that's so cool!!

[@247chiranjeevi]

Thanks for the video. Do u know if it's possible to cast a water cooling block , like a custom cpu cooling block , with water in and out with a channel or a large volume inside.

[@UnlikelyVentures]

Gregg and Scott

[@RioGrande1944]

We love Gregg and Scott as well! We will pass the compliment on to them. Thanks for watching!

[@topcatcoast2coast579]

This looks just like terrain modeling, the only software I have ever used successfully...

[@rjv2395]

tks, but what would really be useful is a vid about the requirements for the design to cast well. valley depth, edge finish, valley bevel, etc. there are many softwares that can design, but it is difficult to find info on the best design practices for 3D priniting to casting.

[@Kurt634]

I agree! Have you found a good resource for learning about that stuff since your comment?

[@uksteve-passiveincomevikin3981]

I didnt do a good job of asking my question last time. I would like to rephrase. There is vacuum casting and then pressurized vacuum casting machines. Do the pressurized machines yield finer detail than that of a standard vacuum casting?. I hope that makes sense.

[@aecg1033]

can I ask you. I design 3d decorative coppersmith dishes using artcam , which is the best software for that kind of design?

[@straighthustlebullyz5315]

How much do you charge to make a 3D mold for a ring

[@rdinardo]

Great video! I'm trying to find out the weight conversion of the tree to dwt for various precious metals. All your videos mention weighing the tree then gloss over how to convert it to metal. Do you have a chart or can point to any reference when using Wax40 and the Purple Resin?

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the kind words. Here is a link to all of our tools in the resource center: www.riogrande.com/category/resource-center

[@cameronpeace1049]

Hi guys great video just started casting myself and this was so helpful. Just wondering what casting temperature you would reccomend for 9ct gold, flask and metal?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello, thanks for the question! We will pass it on to our Jewelry Tech Team and get you a response! Thanks for watching!

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello, we spoke with our Tech Team and they said that this would depend on the exact metal that is being cast, but the same temperatures for 10k wold apply Properties( Density: 121.1 dwt/in^3( 11.5 g/cm^3), Color: Yellow, Melting Temperature - Liquidus: 1635F (890C), Casting Temperature: 1760F (960C), Flask Temperature: 1100F - 1200F.)

[@cameronpeace1049]

Thank you for the help guys i was trying to pour way to hot 😊

[@RioGrande1944]

@@cameronpeace1049 No problem! Thanks for reaching out, fee free to ask a question anytime!

[@johnfurr8779]

why dont you tree the parts in the software and then you need far less post print processing?

[@martindavid1015]

did you do the burnout with the base of the sprue facing up?

[@RioGrande1944]

Sorry for the confusion, we did the burnout with the sprue hole facing down. The oven seen in the video is our holding oven for ventilation purposes, and it was placed that way so it would be easier to grab.

[@uksteve-passiveincomevikin3981]

I have a question, I am just learning about this. Does the power and type of vacuum machine make a big difference to the quality of the casting? The price range is quite large.

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the question: The power or vacuum does not affect the quality of a cast. Power 110v or 220v is based on what the customer has in their shop. Vacuum will allow the time to be quicker when vacuuming out a flask. Machine size is based on quantity of casting flask. How many flask you cast in one day. Large mfg use big machine (JzF) because of the large volume of pieces being done throughout the day. Small mfg shop( J2R or VIC9-12) will use a table top caste machine

[@wickeyatom-bi2de]

hi i just wonder how can you make a specific size of the ring ? example size 8 . you set it in the firse software? or Zbrush ? and no need to resize in 3d print software?

[@RioGrande1944]

You could use a plugin like Ring Utility to create the ring in a proper size, or append a cylinder into the scene, navigate to the Geometry palette > Size, and size your cylinder to the diameter of the ring size needed. You can then use the cylinder as a cutter for Booleans to create the correct size, or sculpt your ring around the cylinder. You would need a ring size chart to confirm the diameter of different ring sizes. One quick trick is that the Ring Utility already creates these cylinders or “mandrels” for you when you generate a ring. Generate a ring using the Ring Utility plugin in the size you need, and delete anything you don’t need in the Subtool palette. Make sure before exporting as an STL to click the “Update Size Ratios” button in the 3D Print Hub and select the units and size that most closely matches what you’re wanting. Then you can export and the ring will be the correct size. Here’s a video that goes over the process of Ring Making in Zbrush: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apWyinewZ9CUe6c

[@marianapinho9894]

Great video! You said that these techniques and the wax are good for chunky pieces... Do you guys think they're also good for more delicate and fine jewelry pieces?

[@RioGrande1944]

Thanks for the kind words! Here is the answer from our tech team: 1. It depends on the size of certain features. Small filigree and equally small details would be difficult to print since the material is much softer than a standard resin, so I would recommend the Formlabs Purple for pieces like that. Fine details typically print better with a harder resin.

[@marianapinho9894]

@@RioGrande1944 thanks for the answer! ☺️

[@alphasow1]

Hi Rio Grande, I need some help there's one thing I have a hard time with, is to give a fair price to my jewelry production. When customer ask me for a quote for custom piece ( for example a ring or bracelet, made especially for them ), I always have trouble setting a right price. If you could tell us what are the guidelines you follow to get a fair pricing, I hope you could help me. Thank you for your videos and your kindness, you do an outstanding job teaching us using 3d software.

[@sysadmin9396]

Did you ever get an answer? I’m curious as well.

[@alphasow1]

@@sysadmin9396 nope

[@sysadmin9396]

@@alphasow1 I’m gonna be doing some digging myself. I will share what I find. From my what my mentor has told me tho. If you’re casting yourself you should try to make 200 percent profit. Take account the equipment, electricity, labor and knowledge.

[@vikasachar9849]

Cost?

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the question. A link to the products in this video can be found in the description.

[@spurio187]

Is there a reason you dont print the entire tree?

[@RioGrande1944]

The biggest reason is that most designs have many supports or areas that need supporting, most pieces also have to be positioned in an optimum position to require the least amount of supports, which may not be the best position that the tree needs them to be in. also it would probably be very difficult to remove supports and do smoothing to models while attached to a big tree. Also the time to produce a tall vertical tree would take a very long time compared to a shorter single model. Remember more higher equals more layers and more time. Also what if some of the pieces didn’t print or failed then you would have to add new ones in those spots which means you are essentially ending up building a regular tree anyway.

[@spurio187]

@@RioGrande1944 wow thanks for taking the time to reply, I think I understand now.

[@sysadmin9396]

What did you guys use for the investment?

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the question. Here is a link to the casting machine. It will provide more info on the investment.

[@karimg9984]

What program are you using on this video

[@mplatinum]

Hello Guys , nice informative video ))) Ready 3Dprint Jewelry models you can find in my store , if you need any test models for printing , let me know )))

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the post!

[@JohnDoe-rx3vn]

Why not just 3D print the entire tree of parts in one go?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello, we will be sure to pass your question on to our Jewelry Tech Team and get you an answer.

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello, our Tech Team got back to us and said that you can do this if that works for you and your parts are basic enough not to be covered with supports. We hope this is helpul and welcome you to reach out with any other questions! Thanks for watching!

[@citylife2038]

Y’all need to let people buy the gold off the damn website is frustrating