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This handle mold is for v.5 of our 3D mold-making (and discovery) project for the ball pitcher. The process to make the 3D drawing is quite simple: Cut it out of the model (top left), draw and extrude side walls (top right) and slice off and remove the pointy parts (a step-by-step video coming soon). Bottom left: A ready-to-use mold. Notice how it fits perfectly onto the side of the pitcher form (bottom right). Because of the good fit, attaching these is just a matter of using some casting slip as the glue. Casting this handle separately affords multiple benefits: It simplifies making the mold of the pitcher itself, of extracting pieces after casting and it produces a more professional-looking product (without holes inside where the handles join). And, handles can be stockpiled in a damp box, ready to use when needed.
We make handle molds without a spare. Instead we 3D print pour spouts that attach to the mold to provide a reservoir. Doing the 3D design for molds having a complex shape like this requires a special yet simple technique. More information coming soon on how to make this.
This 3D printed shell encloses an entire two-piece mold for v 5.0 Medalta Potteries ball pitcher - all that is needed is to fill it with plaster and peel off the PLA casing after it sets. We are still in the development stages so the fact that this will only produce one mold is fine. The membrane across the center is where the two mold halves mate (it also holds the inner model in place). The membrane has holes where natch-pairs can be mated for embedding into the plaster mold. The spare (shown lower right) will be rotated 90 degrees, it has a slot that fits snuggly over the membrane to hold it in place. The handle is being done separately. This was printed on a consumer 3D printer with standard PLA filament.
Projects |
Medalta Ball Pitcher Slip Casting Mold via 3D Printing
A project to make a reproduction of a Medalta Potteries piece that was done during the 1940s. This is the smallest of the three sizes they made. |
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