Polishing (de-gating and trimming)
Castings usually require de-gating/rising and trimming transitions. The higher the polishing level, the "cleaner" the appearance, but the cost and cycle time will also increase.
Platinum – Lost-Wax Casting, Polished
Platinum – Lost-Wax Casting, Polished front-end molding for lost-wax/investment casting, the goal is not "direct use of printed parts," but rather to achieve more complex and finer casting shapes.
Quote checklist: Upload your 3D model and, when available, a 2D drawing. Identify the required process, material, quantity, critical dimensions, finish, appearance standard, and target delivery date.
Key Material and Manufacturing Parameters
Engineering note: Values below are typical reference ranges. Final manufacturability, tolerances, material condition, surface finish, cost, and lead time depend on the drawing, geometry, quantity, and selected process.
Upload CAD files and mark critical features for an engineering review before production.
| Process | Wax model 3D printing + lost wax/investment casting + finishing (grinding/polishing, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Finished product target | Platinum metal finished product (closer to the texture and corrosion resistance of the final piece) |
| Accuracy | ±0.2 mm (wax model/process reference; finished product needs to be evaluated based on shrinkage and subsequent processing) |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.6mm (thin walls/sharp corners are recommended for casting DFM review, thickening or reinforcement if necessary) |
| Service temperature | 50-70℃ (process reference; specific dewaxing/burnout window is subject to the casting route) |
| Tensile strength | 10-20MPa (process reference data) |
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ (process reference data) |
| Applications | Suitable for complex shape molding and small batch production that require casting, such as jewelry, decorative parts, and fine metal parts; display/review projects that require corrosion resistance and finished metal texture. |
| Finishing | Grinding, polishing, electroplating (nickel/chrome/gold), sandblasting, tapping |
| Typical lead time | Related to structural complexity, quantity, gate plan and finishing level; clear delivery and expedited options will be given after uploading the file |
Finishing
Polishing (finished gloss)
Suitable for display parts and finished parts that require high metal texture. If mirror/high gloss is required, please specify the appearance and reference standards in the remarks.
Electroplating (nickel/chromium/gold)
Used for appearance enhancement, color uniformity or functional requirements. It is recommended to provide target effect (color difference tolerance/gloss) and appearance surface definition.
Sandblasting (even matte and concealer)
Suitable for even, fine and matte surfaces, and can also weaken minor trimming lines. It will have a "blunting" effect on fine textures/sharp edges and needs to be evaluated in advance.
Tapping (assembly and function)
Used for screw assembly, positioning and functional connections. Please indicate the thread specifications (M2/M3/M4, etc.), quantity and location, and mark the key fit tolerances.
Why Choose Platinum (Wax Cast-Polished)
Use wax molds to lower the mold opening threshold
There is no need to directly invest in expensive molds, and the shape and process feasibility can be verified faster, which is suitable for prototypes and small batches.
Complex surfaces and fine texture reproduction
Suitable for small-sized fine structures, decorative textures and complex geometries, improving the design freedom of finished products.
The finished product is "real metal platinum"
Compared with resin/nylon samples, they are closer to the texture and corrosion resistance of the final product, making them suitable for finished product-level display and review.
Finishing is controllable and the appearance can be very “finished”
Supports combinations of grinding, polishing, electroplating and sandblasting, and selects the appropriate appearance grade based on the target texture and budget.
Recommended Applications
- The final product is platinum metal: Requires metallic texture, luster and corrosion resistance
- Small size and fine structure: Complex curved surfaces, fine textures, decorative details
- Display/review samples: Have clear goals for the finished product feel and surface effect
- Small batch delivery: Verify design and process route before mold opening
It is not recommended to use it directly (it is recommended to change materials/processes)
- Need to print out and use directly: Use resin/nylon/metal 3D printing or CNC instead
- Extremely tight tolerances and no finishing compensation: Recommended CNC or “Casting + Finishing” combined route
- No gate/trim marks allowed: Feasibility needs to be assessed in advance, otherwise costs and risks will increase significantly
- Oversized pieces or heavy structures: The risk of casting and shrinkage is higher, it is recommended to evaluate the parts or change the process
Design and DFM advice (casting oriented)
- Gate/riser and appearance surface: Please mark the key appearance surfaces and prohibited areas; allowing gates on non-critical surfaces can significantly improve the yield and appearance controllability.
- Thin walls and sharp corners: Thin walls and sharp corners close to 0.6mm are more sensitive; it is recommended to thicken, reinforce and increase fillet transition to reduce the risk of dewaxing/pouring.
- Closed cavity and venting: Closed cavities may cause incomplete dewaxing or casting defects; it is recommended to add wax/purge or vent channels or change to a structure that allows discharge.
- Key size strategy: It is recommended to provide 2D markings and reserve machining allowance for key assembly holes/mating surfaces; if necessary, use "casting + machining" to ensure assembly accuracy.
- Texture preservation: Sandblasting/polishing/plating may change the fine grain; if the grain must be retained, please indicate the final surface target and allowable degree of finishing.
Comparison with common casting/printing materials
| Material | Key Advantages | Mainly applicable | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|---|
| red wax | Wax mold making for lost wax/investment casting, lowering the mold opening threshold and suitable for complex shapes | Casting route pattern making, process verification, small batch casting | Use directly after printing (need to change resin/nylon/metal printing) |
| Brass (wax cast-polished) | Strong metal texture, good appearance, and large finishing space (grinding/polishing/electroplating) | Decorative parts, display parts, small fine metal parts | Scenarios that require extremely high strength or tight tolerances and do not allow finishing |
| Stainless steel 316L | Corrosion-resistant, suitable for end-use parts; can be sandblasted/polished and combined with finishing to improve assembly accuracy | Corrosion-resistant functional parts, end-use parts, small batch metal parts | Extremely mirror-like appearance but very budget/time sensitive project (finishing level needs to be evaluated) |
| Black SLA Resin (SLA) | Exquisite appearance and strong details, suitable for display/photography samples; fast delivery and more controllable costs | Appearance confirmation, sample review, display/photography, light load trial assembly | Requires real metal texture/temperature resistance/corrosion resistance final parts target |
| Tough SLA - Yellow-Green (SLA) | More impact-resistant than standard resin, taking into account both appearance and certain functional validation | Snap verification, assembly verification, light load function verification | The final route to metal platinum finished products |