US 3D printer manufacturer 3D Systems has announced the latest addition to its materials portfolio, VisiJet Wax Jewel Red, to enable more intricate designs for jewelry production.
In combination with the firm’s pure wax 3D printing technology, the material facilitates new design styles for jewelry casting while also delivering efficiency and waste reduction benefits.
“Additive manufacturing has made its mark on the jewelry industry – allowing artisans to push the boundaries and take their creativity to new levels,” said Dr. Edwin Hortelano, Senior Vice President, Materials Engineering and Development at 3D Systems. “We created VisiJet Wax Jewel Red as the next step in our 100% wax casting portfolio, specifically to enable the unmatched quality of lost wax casting for jewelry design styles with fine features.
“This addition helps artisans and casting houses deliver unique designs while improving productivity and reducing costs.”
3D Systems’ Wax 3D printing technology
Wax 3D printing can be integrated into standard lost wax casting processes for the production of jewelry, in order to deliver a range of cost, efficiency, and design benefits.
According to 3D Systems, wax 3D printing has become the recognized standard for the production of patterns for jewelry casting. However, the technology still experiences difficulty achieving some styles and designs that require fine meshes and intricate details.
3D Systems’ wax 3D printing technology is developed specifically for jewelry applications, and is accompanied by a choice of 100 percent wax and castable plastic materials for high-resolution patterns and casting processes, and materials for producing precision models for rubber or silicone molding or prototyping.
The firm’s wax printing technology and materials, combined with its 3D printing software, can be seamlessly integrated into standard lost wax casting processes to achieve greater freedom of design, same-day pattern printing casting, and help to eliminate tooling time and costs.
VisiJet Wax Jewel Red
VisiJet Wax Jewel Red is the latest addition to 3D Systems’ jewelry materials portfolio, and has been engineered to expand the potential applications of the company’s jewelry-specific 3D printing technology.
The firm’s technology includes its ProJet MJP 2500W 3D printer, 3D Sprint software, and 3D Connect management software, alongside its VisiJet wax materials. VisiJet wax materials melt like standard casting waxes, with zero ash content for defect-free castings. They are durable for handling and casting fine features, and high contrast colors allow users to easily visualize fine details.
VisiJet Wax Jewel Red is the latest material to be added to the range, and is designed specially to fulfill the needs of casting houses producing jewelry patterns that include fusion and stone-setting designs.
The material’s enhanced flexibility reduces breakage as a result of handling throughout the lost wax casting process, which is particularly beneficial for designs that include fine features like lightweight filigree and thin wire mesh. According to 3D Systems, casting houses that integrate VisiJet Wax Jewel Red into their production workflows will be able to produce more durable and flexible patterns, leading to a reduction in waste, time and costs.
The new material also enables same-day pattern printing and casting while eliminating tooling time and costs, while providing increased freedom of design for casting houses and jewelers.
VisiJet Wax Jewel Red is set to become available on 20th September, 2021.
3D Systems in the jewelry sector
In addition to its wax 3D printing technology, 3D Systems is also targeting the jewelry market with another of its offerings, its Figure 4 3D printing platform. The 3D printing package is optimized for the 3D printed jewelry market, and contains the firm’s hardware, software, and materials designed to deliver highly accurate, fine-feature details and smooth surface finishes.
Last year, 3D Systems announced that it would be expanding the portfolio of compatible materials for its Figure 4 3D printer, and it has since launched a suite of new polymers for the machine. In May, the firm added four new Figure 4 resin variations to its material portfolio to provide enhanced flame retardancy, strength, and biocompatibility to 3D printed industrial and jewelry parts.
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Featured image shows 3D Systems’ VisiJet Wax Jewel Red material. Photo via 3D Systems.