Using Castable Resin

Note

Castable Resin is optimized for the best burnout performance, but developing a specific burnout and casting process is up to you. Formlabs offers guidelines for a process that has worked well during testing.

Castable Resin allows you to print in Fine Detail, with a material created specifically for direct investment casting. This resin burns out cleanly with no ash or residue, making it perfect for jewelry.

Fine Detail Print Settings

These settings are available when using Castable Resin (FLCABL02) and printing on a Form 2. These settings were optimized for printing jewelry, with a focus on achieving the features and detail that matter to jewelers. For the majority of designs, printing with the 50 micron layer height provides the best results and superior print speeds. The following table suggests when you may want to choose 50 or 25 micron layer height settings respectively.

Burnout Schedule

We've tested the burn-out schedule below with great results using R&R Plasticast with BANDUST. This investment was developed specifically to work with photopolymers like Castable Resin.

Tip

If you are experiencing difficulty with this burnout curve you can try:

• Extending the 30 minute suggested Hold time at 350 °F / 177 °C.
• Post-curing parts for longer. We suggest a minimum of 120 minutes but thicker pieces especially will need more time. This step is critical in preparing prints for burnout.
• If you cannot use R&R Plasticast with BANDUST, look for an investment recommended for use with photopolymers. You can also experiment with bonded investments, like those typically used for Dental applications.

1. Preparing a Print for Investment Casting

Print and Finish Your Part

The investment casting process starts with a good finished print. Print your part as normal, ensuring optimal orientation and support.

Tip

The casting process is both a skill and an art form. For successful results, the design of the piece to be cast is as important as the material it's printed with and cast into. It is important to design for material flow when modeling, avoiding sharp corners and moving from thick to thin profiles on the same piece.

Follow the standard post-print procedure:

• Allow part to fully dry after removing from the IPA bath.
• Carefully remove support material from your print.
• Gently sand away any support marks so they do not appear in your casting.

Warning

Unlike other Formlabs resins, do not finish the print with mineral oil after sanding.

• Post-cure the print for at least 120 minutes at a 45°C temperature under a 405 nm wavelength light source. Curing times vary with UV source. Small UV sources like home UV nail dryers may take up to 8 hours to properly cure parts, while industrial UV curing ovens may take only a few minutes. You may need to rotate your print midway to ensure an even cure.

Note

Post-curing is an essential step in preparing your part for casting. It will make the print stronger, leading to a crisp, cast piece. Skipping this step could lead to poor burnout performance.