Aluminum fidget spinner for lost PLA casting

prusaprinters

<p>This is my non professional approach to extend 3D printing for myself to create metal objects using the "lost PLA" method.</p> <p>I try to write up the way which worked for me, including the objects I used for printing.<br/> This is not intended for direct replicating; if you choose to do so, do it responsibly and at your own risk!<br/> I skip steps which are obvious if you already know how to melt and pour aluminum; I try to outline what I had to learn.</p> <h3> 1: print the models attached in PLA; only 1 perimeter and 5% infill</h3> <h3> 2: glue together with hotglue, like shown in 3D screenshot</h3> <p>pouring basin is inspired by this thing from VegOilGuy:<br/> <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3619744">https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3619744</a></p> <h3> 3: add drinking straws as vents, like you can see in the image of the cast incl. sprue</h3> <h3> 4: paint on thin layer of watery plaster mix and let dry for better detail reproduction</h3> <h3> 5: pour plaster for with 50:50 plaster and sand mix for better thermal and structural stability</h3> <h3> 6: let dry over night</h3> <h3> 7: burn - out - process; what I gathered from instructables and youtube video...</h3> <p>2h @ 100°C<br/> 1h @ 200°C<br/> 2h @ 450°C<br/> ...worked for me.</p> <h3> 8: ...melting aluminum and pouring it...</h3> <p>since I have only one diy electric kiln which I had to use for burn out of plaster and melting of aluminum: probably the plaster form was too cold when pouring, which resulted in "almost incomplete" filling when you look at the vents.<br/> Think I was just lucky ;-)</p> <p>Even if I'm a couple of years late with a fidget spinner: no sharp corners, somewhat even cross - sections were just a good starting point for lost PLA :-)</p> <h3> Print Settings</h3> <p><strong>Printer Brand:</strong></p> <p>Anet</p> <p><p class="detail-setting printer"><strong>Printer: </strong> <div><p>A8</p></div><strong>Rafts:</strong></p> <p>No</p> <p><p class="detail-setting supports"><strong>Supports: </strong> <div><p>No</p></div><strong>Resolution:</strong></p> <p>0.2</p> <p><p class="detail-setting infill"><strong>Infill: </strong> <div><p>5%</p></div><br/> <strong>Filament:</strong><br/> scrap pieces laying around... PLA random</p> </p></p></p> Category: DIY