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I do alot of investment casting and also lost pla casting. The lost pla is great, but there are a couple of draw backs you run into with it. Ever since ive had my printer i was wishing a printable wax filament would come out. I saw on 3ders a couple weeks ago the the company that produces laywood was coming out with a wax filament, but the temp for extrusion seemed too high to be a wax. Could be a polypropylene blend? Any how i bumped into another person who was creating a true wax filament that may be exactly what im looking for. I hope to have a spool of thier wax filament for trials in the next 2 weeks.
My question to you all is, would you have a use for a wax filament? I can see myself using it for my casting work, making molds for resin casting, and heck even 3d printing yoda head candles.
What other uses could it have and what would you do with it?

Investment casting is definitely the main thing that a lot of us want to do, so you're right on with that one. (and the exact right guy to test it out for the community!)

Would it be a machinable wax? I could see that being useful.

Im pretty sure its machinable, would almost have to be. Guess Ill be finding out in 2 weeks.....

Timely.

http://imgur.com/gallery/0AKFG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just got the new filament in for testing...Havent printed anything yet, but it looks and feels promising.....If I didnt want to stay married I would be printing with it right now.
This filament has a very low extrusion temp so cleaning out the nozzle before changing over would be important. (for lack of better terms)

Sounds good so far. How low is the printing temp?

For me, investment casting is a cool enough prospect that I'd probably just buy a dedicated hot-end for it. The ebay clones would probably do a nice job at lower temperatures.

Where did you get the filament from? You are keeping us in suspense?!!

Definitely interesting. If a Filament can be processed for investment casting traditionally then anyone could print in it and hand the parts over to be professionally casted, opening up steel and iron casting, and other high temp materials which backyard forges can't or won't pour.

Ill be putting a video together on friday. The printing temp is about 145C. This is a pre production prototype spool just to test the application for printing and casting. I didnt notice it right off but its cinnamon scented as well

What a bonus!

I want it just for the scent!

Can't wait to see this, I'm very interested. Right now we're having to print an object, clean it up, make a silicone mold, pour victory brown wax in and then dip the wax in ceramic shell slurry. .(13 dips to build a3/8-1/2 shell) after attaching a cup and sprue material.

just purged the nozzle with the new filament....WoW!! you can really smell the cinnamon. Thats sure to keep the wife happy! 3D printed candles anyone???

DavidF wrote:just purged the nozzle with the new filament....WoW!! you can really smell the cinnamon. Thats sure to keep the wife happy! 3D printed candles anyone???

How are you gonna work out a wick extruder though?

Same way commercial candles are made. Leave a hole, drop the wick in from the bottom, stick a label over it to hold it in.

Jimustanguitar wrote:

DavidF wrote:just purged the nozzle with the new filament....WoW!! you can really smell the cinnamon. Thats sure to keep the wife happy! 3D printed candles anyone???

How are you gonna work out a wick extruder though?

I was going to use my mobiusdifferomoushypactounslungiousdifferactoscadniumelplatus...what else would one use??

A wax filament would be very useful for castings.
sounds like a win to me.

You could print the candle solid and use a really hot, really long needle to thread the wick through, with a metal stop thing tied to the bottom/end of the wick. No need for hole, though the hole could work just as well if not better. A combination of the two might be best. Slightly undersized hole, so the heat really seals the wax onto the wick.

I'm way interested in this! I too print a ton of lost pla molds. I have been experimenting with wax extruder ideas, but what I really wanted was a filament. I would love to get on board with testing this as well. Is this wax filament coming from the people who make the laywood?

mechneering wrote:I'm way interested in this! I too print a ton of lost pla molds. I have been experimenting with wax extruder ideas, but what I really wanted was a filament. I would love to get on board with testing this as well. Is this wax filament coming from the people who make the laywood?

No, not them... Ill be letting the cat out of the bag on friday

I'm definitely interested, doubly so if the wax is also machinable.

DavidF wrote:

mechneering wrote:I'm way interested in this! I too print a ton of lost pla molds. I have been experimenting with wax extruder ideas, but what I really wanted was a filament. I would love to get on board with testing this as well. Is this wax filament coming from the people who make the laywood?

No, not them... Ill be letting the cat out of the bag on friday

Which Friday?

^^yeah, what he said!^^

I just watched this and found it very interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFZMfBXxMxk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They are trying to automate 3d printing a part in PLA and then casting in out of aluminium. They are using microwaves to melt it which was the most interesting part for me.

Here is the project page:
http://hackaday.io/project/2434/logs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

teoman wrote:I just watched this and found it very interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFZMfBXxMxk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They are trying to automate 3d printing a part in PLA and then casting in out of aluminium. They are using microwaves to melt it which was the most interesting part for me.

Here is the project page:
http://hackaday.io/project/2434/logs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Im not the slitest bit impressed. Saw that video awhile ago....all I can say is IDIOTS!

Video will be coming soon. I have the wax printing well, just got tied up at work. Went to work tuesday at 3pm came home thursday at 7 am, slept all day yesterday, brain dead today...