3 ms·

You've got several options here, none of them great. 1) Use a resin printer and print the meta-molds at very high resolution, then lightly sand with high-grit

You've got several options here, none of them great. 1) Use a resin printer and print the meta-molds at very high resolution, then lightly sand with high-grit paper or use a gap filling primer paint. 2) Use ABS, HIPS, or another acetone smoothable plastic and vapor bathe the meta-molds (would probably slightly mess up the split lines though). 3) Use a paint-on epoxy to manually smooth out the meta-mold interiors. 4) Manually sand as best as you can. The normal process for this would be to print the 3D model you want and then do a bunch of post-printing cleanup and treatment to get it to mold-ready quality, then cast a silicone mold of that. It's not super fun, but you can get good results without years of practice.

birdman3131 8y ago
5)Have one of the $40k clip printers that don't leave the lines.
- mdorazio 8y ago
  Heh, true. But if you've got a $40k printer you're probably sending out for professional molds already.
virtualritz 8y ago
Re.: 1) The latest generation of 'cheap' DLP printers can do 25 micron (e.g. the Phrozen Shuffle). After curing, dipping in resin again or priming and then coating with 2-3 layers with an airbrush results in a perfect surface finish. No sanding required.
- mdorazio 8y ago
  Are you actually getting a perfect surface finish that way? My Phrozen Make printing at 20 microns leaves noticeable lines and definitely requires cleanup around support attachment points. I tried doing the second dipping method and ended up with melty details on finer parts of prints. The only thing I haven't tried is sandblasting.
  - virtualritz 8y ago
    The Make can't do 20micron. It can do about 47 max (or rather, min), I think. Re-read my post: I was talking about the Phrozen Shuffle which has a different screen/display unit. Check the FB group for some 27micron examples done with the Shuffle.
- jjoonathan 8y ago
  > 25 micron Hey where did the 0.4 micron go?

birdman3131 8y ago

5)Have one of the $40k clip printers that don't leave the lines.

mdorazio 8y ago
Heh, true. But if you've got a $40k printer you're probably sending out for professional molds already.

virtualritz 8y ago

Re.: 1) The latest generation of 'cheap' DLP printers can do 25 micron (e.g. the Phrozen Shuffle). After curing, dipping in resin again or priming and then coating with 2-3 layers with an airbrush results in a perfect surface finish. No sanding required.

mdorazio 8y ago
Are you actually getting a perfect surface finish that way? My Phrozen Make printing at 20 microns leaves noticeable lines and definitely requires cleanup around support attachment points. I tried doing the second dipping method and ended up with melty details on finer parts of prints. The only thing I haven't tried is sandblasting.
- virtualritz 8y ago
  The Make can't do 20micron. It can do about 47 max (or rather, min), I think. Re-read my post: I was talking about the Phrozen Shuffle which has a different screen/display unit. Check the FB group for some 27micron examples done with the Shuffle.
jjoonathan 8y ago
> 25 micron Hey where did the 0.4 micron go?