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Rubber molds and wax injection

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Rubber molds and wax injection

To repeat a piece, a rubber mold is made from a master model and wax is injected into it. Each wax copy is then cast by the lost-wax process.

Steps of the technique: Prepare the master, Build the mold, Vulcanize, Cut, Inject wax, Remove
Summary of the steps

From master to mold #

The master model (of metal) is placed in a frame with uncured rubber and vulcanized under heat and pressure. The mold is then cut open with a scalpel to remove the model.

Wax injection #

In an injector, the wax is heated and forced under pressure into the mold. It is opened and a replica removed.

Silicone #

For resins, tin or casting waxes, there are room-temperature-curing silicones, cheaper but less heat resistant.

Use in production #

It is the step between the one-off piece and serial production of a jewel.

Step by step #

  1. Prepare the master. You have a master piece in metal.
  2. Build the mold. Place the master between layers of rubber.
  3. Vulcanize. Heat and press in the press.
  4. Cut. Open the mold with a scalpel.
  5. Inject wax. Fill the mold with liquid wax.
  6. Remove. Open and take out the replica.

Tools and materials #

  • Vulcanizing rubber or silicone
  • Vulcanizing press
  • Wax injector
  • Scalpel

Common mistakes #

  • Badly made cuts: visible lines.
  • Injecting at too high a pressure.
  • Wax too hot: it sticks.
  • Storing the mold carelessly.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.