{"id":69725,"key":"Open-source_wax_3DP_for_investment_casting","title":"Open-source wax 3DP for investment casting","latest":{"id":1207789,"timestamp":"2025-11-27T22:53:44Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{MOST}}\n\n[[File:waxprint1.jpg|thumb|Print from open-source wax printer]]\n\n<center>''Wax printing combines the centuries-old processing method of casting and the decades-old processing method of additive manufacturing.''</center>\n\n== Introduction ==\n\nThis procedure for open-source wax printers is based on work done at MichiganTech with [[Athena Build Overview|RepRap derivative printers]] and custom RepRap driver [[Franklin]].\n\n== Safety ==\n\nFollow all safety procedures for your printer and the space you are in.\n\n== Equipment or Bill of Materials ==\n\nInformation about how to construct a delta-based printer can be found [[Athena Build Overview|here]].\n\n# 3D printer capable of printing wax\n# Printable wax (found from [http://www.machinablewax.com/product.php?product=52 Machinable Wax])\n# Glue stick\n\n== Calibration & Tolerances ==\n\nInformation on how to calibrate a delta-based RepRap printer is found [[Athena Franklin#Calibration|here]].\n\n== Operation & Procedure ==\n\n=== Generating g-code ===\n\n# Obtain an CAD model of your desired part\n## Search 3D model repositories ([http://web.archive.org/web/20191229012720/http://www.yobi3d.com/ Yobi3D], [https://yeggi.com Yeggi], [https://thingiverse.com Thingiverse], [https://youmagine.com YouMagine]) for existing models\n## Design a custom part using CAD software (free and open-source options include [http://web.archive.org/web/20210318004305/https:http://web.archive.org/web/20210318004305/https://www.freecadweb.org// FreeCAD] and [http://web.archive.org/web/20210322031549/https:http://web.archive.org/web/20210322031549/https://www.openscad.org// OpenSCAD])\n# Slice your model using a slicer (options include [https://ultimaker.com/en/products/cura-software Cura] and [https://slic3r.org/ slic3r]) using suggested settings:\n## Print speed: 25-40mm/s\n## Brim-type adhesion\n## 130C\n# Save g-code\n\n=== Printing ===\n\n# Inspect the work area for any potential hazards and ensure equipment is properly hooked up\n# Turn on printer and computer and navigate to your printer control software and load g-code to printer (if using Franklin, additional information can be found [[Franklin|here]])\n# Apply glue stick to print bed and allow to dry completely\n# Press print\n\n=== Processing ===\n\n# Printed parts can be removed carefully by hand or by gently lifting the edges from the print bed with a razor\n# Printed parts can be wax welded to other pieces\n# Print lines on the parts can be smoothed with hot utensils\n\n== Shutdown ==\n\n# Allow hot end to cool to 50C before shutting off the printer\n\n== References ==\n\n<!-- This code is for placing the citation you included above. If you did not use the<ref>code, please delete this. -->\n<references />\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n}}\n\n[[Category:MOST methods]]"}