Should this be cast as one, two, or three pieces? Any design critiques would be helpful.
Since no one else has responded, I’ll take a stab at answering your question. I’m a big believer in adding in the fewest number of sprues as possible. That way you use the least amount of metal and have the least amount of clean up.
I’d have to stare at the wax in person for a bit to be sure, but I would probably add one 8 ga. sprue at the bottom of the ring and then another inside the ring from the bottom to the top. If I felt like the top part needed additional sprues, I’d probably add two more 10 ga short sprues from the outside of the ring to the bottom of the flat component. I’d cast the ring in one piece, not multiple parts.
Design-wise my primary concern about this ring is that the flat component might be too thin and might be sharp on the wearer. The flat part might also catch on stuff and bend or break. If I were making it, I’d make the flat component attach to the shank to make a stronger connection and not raise it up like you did. The connection from the top component to the ring shank looks kind of precarious to me.
It is a beautiful design. Hope that helps!! Let’s see if others have other suggestions.
Jeff
1 Like
I would cast it in 2 parts , peg the top to be soldered onto the shank, that enables you to get a good polish …. finish on as many areas of the finished piece as you can and not over polish places where you want details preserved, for instance a basic Tiffany style solitaire is much cleaner if the setting head is applied to a blank shank . Could also circumvent some casting issues…. thick to thin etc
That being said it does add an extra labor step
I think it will be easier if I could cast it as one piece. I added some cathedrals which may help it flow so it will cast in one go (thanks Neil!). Thinking about how the metal might flow was really helpful.
1 Like
From a casting perspective I think this is a more effective design. You’re sending this out to a casting company right? They’ll figure out how they want to attach the sprues. Adding those supports underneath will help with castabillity (is that a word?) and strength.
Let us know how it works out!
Jeff
Hi Steve,
regarding design comments:
(just my personal musings…)
from a structural perspective:
i feel like the flower petal portion is a bit rigid and “detached” from the shank…even thought there are branches…
front view:
perhaps consider blending shoulders/ cathedral from shank to flower…
perhaps consider having the flower follow the curve of the ring rail, as opposed to being planar…
(ie: domed?)
from a design perspective:
perhaps consider movement/ curvature of petals
(ie: like the way a propeller is angled)
perhaps more thickness to the flower
julie
Nice looking design. First, I would print this on our wax printing sytem, then cast it with a single sprue on the bottom. Should come out fine.
If a mold would be required for ptoduction purposes, I would increase the entire ring by 3% and use Vulcanized long life Silicone rubber. I would suggest you put the quality mark and logo in the cad file.
Daniel G
1 Like