Study of Investment Casting Process For 3D Printed Jewellery Design

¹ Central University of Technology, Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), South Africa
² OneCent Africa Unit 4 /5 Tamric Park, 9 Calcutta Street, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town 7415Https://onecentafrica.store/
³ Central University of Technology, Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), South Africa

Abstract

Manufacturing processes are increasingly complex with the growing demands of advanced technology in the production processes, especially in the handicraft industry. The complex jewellery designs are complicated to be produced by hand, considering the international demand and dynamics in the jewellery industry. However, advanced production processes and 3D printers are changing the way jewellery designers and manufacturers work and making it easier to produce quality products with fewer production and labour input hours. This study examines the investment casting process of 3D printed design as an option for jewellery manufacturing. The research aims to access jewellery manufacturing processes and its technology application by using trending 3D printing as a rapid prototype. It used the design and production process of 'OneCent Africa' as a case study to describe the process in the investment casting of jewellery products. The investment casting was conducted by prototyping, and the lost wax jewellery casting stages using the vacuum casting machines and burnout oven, with the casting process monitored in parts. This research results led to a better understanding of the experimental casting outcomes and described the potential for the future technological development of jewellery businesses.