{"id":39987,"date":"2022-10-25T11:03:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T15:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=39987"},"modified":"2022-10-25T17:24:39","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T21:24:39","slug":"introducing-latest-metal-material-copper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/introducing-latest-metal-material-copper","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing Molds for Lost Wax Casting with Copper\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Metal 3D printing<\/a> has been on the upswing for over a decade and continues to accelerate. At Shapeways, this technology is a mainstay, serving customers engaged in industrial manufacturing as well as applications like jewelry making. Materials like Copper<\/a>, used in Wax Casting<\/a>, add unique depth to the tremendous line-up of resources and 3D printing metal materials available to Shapeways designers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Copper Provides Unique Properties<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Copper is an essential natural resource. Unlike bronze<\/a> and brass<\/a>, which are copper alloys, Shapeways offers a 100% copper material known for malleability and high ductility. Copper does not require much processing for use in today\u2019s applications\u2013and in fact, this material\u2019s history dates back as far as 8,000 BC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Copper offers excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Because of its ability to heat quickly with a uniform heating profile, Copper is commonly used in applications for manufacturing parts like heat exchangers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featuring an initial appearance that takes on an orange-red metallic color, Copper eventually darkens by turning green in color through oxidation. This chemical reaction forms a protective layer on its surface making Copper highly resistant to corrosion and biofouling. While oxidation creates an antiqued appearance often desired for ornamental and unique jewelry, Copper is suitable for use in harsh environments, including aerospace and marine applications. Copper also has antiseptic properties which protect marine organisms, making it an environmentally friendly material for undersea mechanisms like desalination devices and offshore drilling mechanisms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combining 3D printing and Wax Casting technology, our Copper 3D printing manufacturing process is capable of producing new geometries that take advantage of the material properties for inventive industrial applications and unique decorative pieces.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wax Casting Technology for 3D Printing Copper<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For designers and engineers eager to try a variation on metal 3D printing technology\u2013but with a fast and more economical edge\u2013Wax Casting is a great option. Also referred to as Investment Casting, Precision Casting, or even cire perdue <\/em>(french), this unique technology has historically been recognized as a strong suit for foundries. Created around 5,000 years ago to make metal products and ammunition, Lost Wax Casting is performed by pouring liquid metal into molds to create structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paired with high-quality 3D print Lost Wax Casting materials and precious metals like Copper, many Shapeways customers prefer this technique, with 3D printing coming into play during the mold-making process. Shapeways uses a variety of 3D printing materials to create molds to act as vehicles for molten metal which then solidifies. Molds can be 3D printed with thermoplastics like Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]<\/a>, Sandstone<\/a>, or metals like Steel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a customer uploads a 3D design<\/a> and chooses Copper, Shapeways transforms the model into a Copper object through Wax Casting. The solid Copper part is cleaned and polished to remove any sharp residue, leaving a natural buffed, shiny surface. Additional hand polishing is offered for a mirror-like shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read about Copper and explore specific design guidelines here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lineup of Wax Casting Materials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about all the other materials Shapeways offers via Wax Casting too, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n