The Model Investing	Century Casting Company, Inc. 7 West 45th Street, Floor 7 New York NY 10036 800-997-8290 212-840-8303 Fax: 212-840-2318 Specializing in Platinum casting Many components and processes are involved in the casting production. All parts of the process are important to assure the final casting is of high quality. Part 1 The Model & Waxes The original model should be free of defects and not only in perfect physical shape, but also of peerless artistic quality as all imperfections or blemishes in the original will be reproduced in the mold, thus in the wax and casting. We have complete mold making and mold cutting facilities in house. Prior to sending us your originals, many items should be quality checked and assured, some of which are: Wall thickness: Wall thickness should be calculated to allow for shrinkage during the rubber mold process. The shrinkage percentage varies with the mold material chosen. The final choice of mold material may take into account the acceptable amount of shrinkage tolerable for the application along with other mold material characteristics. The shrinkage percentages in the following description should be used as a guide - please consult with us to discuss details and possible variances which may occur. Mold material: There are two common materials used for creating molds. We will be happy to discuss with you the proper choice for your application. Regular rubber mold: The standard choice for molds. Natural rubber is strong and long lasting; very good for quantity production pieces. Cures at a temperature of approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and therefore is suitable only for original models that can withstand heat. Typically 8% to 12% shrinkage on average for regular molds. RTV (room temperature) silicone mold: Used for original models which cannot withstand heat, or on waxes taken from an original. A minimum cure time of 24 hours required. Low shrinkage usually experienced, between 1% to 3%. More tearable and therefore not as long lasting as a regular rubber mold. A wax being removed from a rubber mold Holes and gaps: Any pits, holes or imperfections should be corrected and repaired on the original model prior to the mold making process. While possible to correct these imperfections in the resulting mold it is more difficult, more costly, and the results are less consistent than if done in the original model. Finish: The original should be in the same level of finish that is desired in the end product. In addition, a model with a high polish finish will allow for an easier, and cleaner, release from the rubber mold, assuring better mold reproduction and higher casting quality. Air / Material lines, adjures: Any air or material lines and galleries should be cleaned of flashing, along with having smooth profiles. The adjures and galleries should be drilled through cleanly and properly. This procedure will allow for a cleaner release from the rubber, helping to extend mold life. Trademarks, style numbers and markings: These should be applied to the original prior to sending it to us for casting. This is considerably easier than trying to add these marks later to the wax or casting. It guarantees that copyrights, designer trademarks and other markings will consistently be reproduced in every manufactured copy. For example, 'Tiffany', '750 / 950', '©' and other important trademarks which would have to be stamped at the jeweler's bench. These marks should be stamped on the original model and thus could be reproduced during the casting reproduction stage. A tree of waxes being prepared Hand-made wax: If you, the customer, are providing a hand-made wax for casting we recommend you make a silicone mold of the wax to be cast for assurance purposes. This is a guarantee against potential unsatisfactory outcomes. \ A completed wax tree In all stages of the wax making process, cleanliness and attention to detail is crucial to prevent troubles such as pin holes, air bubbles and surface imperfections which will be reproduced in the casting process. Upon receipt of your originals, they will be quality inspected for suitability and condition prior to the wax making process. If wax impressions of the originals are supplied by the customer instead of originals, they will also be quality checked for air pockets and bubbles along with other surface imperfections. NEXT>> This website, all information and photos contained therein ©2000 Century Casting Company, Inc. All rights reserved. No information or images may be reproduced without written consent.
Century Casting Company, Inc. 7 West 45th Street, Floor 7 New York NY 10036 800-997-8290 212-840-8303 Fax: 212-840-2318