Assignment 7: Molding + Casting
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Goal: 3D print your molds-for-molds
For this assignment, I began by finding a sculpture I liked. I picked Female Head by Amadeo Modigliani, a sculpture replica my grandma used to have in her home, that I kept for several years (until it broke during one of our moves.)
I found a 3d model online, and thought this would be a perfect project. I am in need of new mezuzahs, a tradition Jewish doorpost, so thought I could incorporate this sculpture with a space for a scroll.
I imported the mold into Rhino, and began by reducing the mesh This was to bring it from ~157,000 down to ~20,000 polys. I also used "QuadRemesh" .
I dropped 2 holes for screw holes, and a tube for the scroll to fit into, removing space with "MeshBooleanDifference".
I used "contour" to split the piece in half. From the midpoint, I made 2 rectangles above and below, and included in 4 spheres. I also included an tube to pour in the plaster.
I copied the entirety twice, one as a backup and one to adjust. I removed the top section from one, the bottome section from the other and used "BooleanUnion" for additions and "BooleanDifference" for removals.
I added in a background, and extruded the edges. These edges will be to hold the plaster.
Initially, I used "RibbonOffset", but it was unable to use it properly, so added in a rectange on the back instead.
Final Mold and 3D.
I did a test print and liked how it was, so nowonce i finalizes size, I'll be ready for next week.
Part 2: Casting
After somehow getting my OOMOO through airport security, I arrived in Denver Colorado and began my mold making.
I prepared by putting on gloves, a mask, and finding a scale. I also used 2 sets of chopsticks to mix the parts and mix them together.
I used a 1:1 ratio of water to OOMOO. One issue I ran into was using too little, so I was only able to make the first mold. I was nervous about using small leftovers for the second one, and mixing 2 oomoo mixtures with different timings, so I decided to make a mold of a little magnet I bought in Hawaii a few years ago.
Then using some plaster of paris I bought, I mixed it up with a 2:1 ratio of water to dry plaster and wet the silicone mold before adding in the plaster per the container's instructions.
I learned that a better consistancy for the plaster was 2:1 but using a scale. 2:1 with the same container was making my plaster too thick.
Final Product!
Bonus mold since there was extra OOMOO:
