Silicon Mold Making

3-D Manufacturing Description/Standards

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of clay sculpting and mold making basics.
  • 1a. Understand how to make clay prototypes are made by carving, hand building and wheel throwing.
  • 1b. Understand how 3-D pieces are manufactured using slip casting methods.
  • 1c. Understand how to make plaster molds to reproduce clay forms
  • 1d. Make multiple reproductions of various clay pieces.

  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in silicon mold making.
  • 2a. Understand real world applications of silicon molds in dentistry, metal casting, and the entertainment industry.
  • 2b. Create an oil-based clay prototype for reproduction.
  • 2c. Make a silicon mold, and cast the prototype in resin.
  • 2c. Make multi-piece molds and resin cast pieces.

  • 3. Demonstrate knowledge and skills of injection molding.
  • 3a. Properly prepare molds and parts for injection molding.
  • 3b. Reproduce objects using an injection mold machine.
  • 3c. Create original molds for injection molded reproductions.

  • 4. Understand 3-D CAD and sculpting software
  • 4a. Understand the vocabulary of 3-D software and printing.
  • 4b. Understand and use CAD software to create virtual 3-D objects.
  • 4c. Understand and use sculpting software to create virtual 3-D sculptures.
  • 4d. Understand and use an SLA 3-D printer to make computer generated virtual objects real.
  • 4e. Make multi-piece 3-D prints that "key" together to make a single part.

  • 5. Understand and use metal fabrication machines.
  • 5a. Understand software to create pieces for Plasma cutting..
  • 5b. Use PlasmaCam to cut parts to be welded into a 3-d object.
  • 5c. Use Metal Lathe to create prototype parts to be molded.

    • The teacher demonstrates setting up and measuring out material to make silicon molds of our oil-clay prototypes. After the mold demo, a demo of mixing and pouring resin is also done.

    Students are to make a mold for their Oil-clay project and cast it in resin

    Evaluation:
    2 points -- Mold walls made correctly
    2 points -- Silicone mixed and poured correctly
    2 points -- Minimal bubbles in the mold

    3 points -- 2 casts made and cleaned up for final presentation.

    10 points total


    Illustration 1 below is the original piece made with Chavant clay.


    Illustration 2 below shows the silicone mold and plaster mother-mold with the finished cast piece.