Silver design rules

The basics...
  • Wall thickness minimum: .6 mm
  • Detail thickness minimum: .3 mm
  • Maximum height: 30 mm for smaller items (like rings), 20 mm for bigger items (like bracelets)
  • Maximum length & width: 150 mm x 150 mm
  • You can expect accuracy of +/- 25 micrometre (.025 mm)
  • Note: To start, we are not allowing any movable or interlocking parts*. As we learn more about the process, this may change so please stay tuned.

Details on your designs

  • Embossing: max 1:1 height to width ratio -- height of the embossed detail may not be higher than the wall of the detail 
  • Engraving: max 1:1 depth to width ratio --  depth of the engraved detail may not be greater than the wall of the engraved detail.
  • Distance between holes must be greater than .6 mm. 

Examples

good embossing
height to width of embossed detail is 1 to 1		 bad embossing

the details are much taller than they are wide		 good engraving

depth to width of engraved detail is 1 to 1		 bad engraving
detail sinks much more deeper than it is wid

Hollow models

  • Hollow parts need openings so we can get out the support material, and so we can insert casting plaster 
  • If you have one hole, opening needs to be greater than 4 mm in diameter
  • If you have multiple holes, each hole must be greater than 2 mm in diameter.

Wire frames and mesh designs

  • Wires on wire frames must be over .8 mm thick.

Wire frame models are difficult to print and are also fragile in silver. Since silver is less strong than steel, the product will deform when wearing the piece if the wire-surface is too thin. It might also snap in the manufacturing process. 

Examples


Duann (drscott) made a ring w/ .7mm thick wires, and one of the wires broke. Now Duann is sad. So, make sure your wires are .8 mm or thicker.

Ring-specific design rules

  • Ring band (the part that goes around the fingre) needs to be 1 mm thick to avoid deformation when wearing. Since silver is a weaker material, ring shank that are too thin may deform or even break. 
  • Prongs for holding stones cannot be too long without anything connecting them. This connecting beam is to prevent the wax from breaking away. Also, with thin and long prongs, the product will not to be able to hold big stones. 

Examples


Duann (drscott) sent in a ring that has a band of .8 mm. He was so giddy but when he put it on, the sides snapped. Ring bands need to be at least 1 mm thick
Prongs for holding stones are too long and not connected, these prongs will break
Prongs for holding stones are designed well
* Movable parts are interconnecting pieces (think: chainmail) or piece(s) freely moving within a piece (think: a baby rattle, the beads inside are freely moving in the rattle)

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