Low threshold and take the casting route
The casting shape and structure can be verified without mold opening, and it is suitable for prototyping, process verification and small batch production.
Red Wax
Red Wax 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 | 3D printinged wax patterns (for lost wax/investment casting routes) |
|---|---|
| Color | Red (the wax model is used for subsequent dewaxing/burning out and pouring, and does not have "printed appearance display" as the main goal) |
| Accuracy | ±0.2 mm (used for wax pattern shape restoration; finished product size needs to be evaluated based on casting shrinkage and subsequent processing) |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.6mm (for thin-walled structures, it is recommended to conduct a casting feasibility review and thicken or reinforce if necessary) |
| Service temperature | 50–70℃ (for process evaluation; specific dewaxing/loss-on-ignition window is subject to the casting route) |
| Tensile strength | 10–20MPa |
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ |
| Applications | Jewelry, decorative pieces, fine metal pieces Casting route pattern making with small batch production; Suitable for complex curved surfaces, small textures and high-detail restoration needs |
| Not suitable | Projects that need to be "printed and used directly as final parts" (it is recommended to choose resin/nylon/metal 3D printing or CNC); or scenarios that have extremely strict final size/tolerance requirements and cannot process compensation (subsequent processing allowance needs to be evaluated) |
| Finishing | None (Red Wax usually goes directly into the dewaxing/burnout/pouring process; the finishing of the finished product is completed by the casting process) |
| Typical lead time | Related to model size, quantity and casting route assessment; clear delivery and expedited options will be given after uploading the file |
Why Choose Red Wax (Casting Wax Pattern)
Complex surfaces and small texture reproduction
Suitable for high-detailed appearances (textures, decorative lines, patterns, etc.) and complex geometric shapes.
More direct for metal finished products
If the end goal is metal parts (strength, temperature resistance, texture), Red Wax can serve as a smoother front-end molding option.
Suitable for jewelry/decorative pieces and fine metal pieces
It is more friendly to small parts and high appearance requirements, and facilitates rapid iteration and repurchase.
Recommended Applications
- Finally, metal products will be made: Hope goes the lost wax/investment casting route
- Complex surfaces and small textures: Decorative textures, detailed lines, complex shapes
- Process validation and small batches: Quickly verify casting feasibility and deliver small batches
- Jewelry/Decorative Pieces/Fine Pieces: Small parts with high requirements on details and appearance
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
- Oversized pieces or heavy structures: The risk of casting and shrinkage is higher, and it is necessary to evaluate the parts or modify the process.
- Extremely tight tolerances and no machining compensation: It is recommended to switch to CNC/precision machining route
- No gate/riser marks allowed: Advance planning is required, otherwise the yield and appearance will be affected.
Design and DFM advice (wax pattern/casting guide)
- Thin walls and sharp corners: Thin walls (close to the minimum wall thickness) and sharp corners are more likely to cause risks during the dewaxing/burnout/pouring stage; it is recommended to thicken, reinforce and add rounded transitions.
- Closed cavity and venting: Closed cavities may cause incomplete dewaxing or casting defects; it is recommended to add vent channels or change to a structure that allows wax discharge.
- Gate/riser location: Allowing gates/risers to be set up on non-critical surfaces can significantly improve the yield; please mark the critical appearance surfaces and prohibited areas.
- Key size strategy: It is recommended to reserve casting and trimming allowances for key assembly holes/mating surfaces, and provide 2D marking instructions; if necessary, follow the "casting + machining" combination route.
- Texture and details: Fine textures can be made, but subsequent polishing/electroplating may "eat away the details"; if details must be retained, please indicate the finished surface target and allowable degree of trimming.
Comparison with common materials for "direct printing and use"
| Material | Key Advantages | Mainly applicable | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|---|
| White SLA Resin (SLA) | The appearance is delicate and the details are well expressed, suitable for painting/screen printing and other appearance schemes. | Appearance prototypes, review samples, display parts, assembly verification | The final casting route for metal products (Red Wax is more suitable) |
| Black SLA Resin (SLA) | Black is more like a finished product and has a stronger display/photography effect | Display/review/photography samples, light load assembly verification | Finished product goals that require metal strength/temperature resistance and metal texture |
| Tough SLA - Yellow-Green (SLA) | Enhanced toughness based on details/appearance, more suitable for light functional validation | Snap verification, assembly verification, light load function verification | In the end, metal parts are required or a casting process route is required. |
| White Nylon (SLS) | More stable functionality, wear-resistant and fatigue-resistant, suitable for complex structures and batch typesetting | Structural validation, assembly parts, wear-resistant moving parts, small batch functional parts | Metal finished products are required (Red Wax/metal craftsmanship is more suitable) |
| HP Nylon - Gray (MJF) | Better batch consistency and dimensional stability, suitable for repeated delivery | Small and medium batch functional parts, assembly positioning parts, repetitive parts | The goal of metal finished products taking the casting route (Red Wax is more suitable) |