Molding plastic is a fun inexpensive way to create unique pieces or replicas of your favorite items.
Create plastic mold.
Get the right mold material.
Cast your mold with plastic resin wait for it to cure and then remove the mold to reveal your creation.
Thermoplastic comes in a wide variety of materials colors finishes and thickness.
This can be done with a 3d print or a soft prototyping mold.
The best mold material to combat this kind of casting problem is silicone rtv or room temperature vulcanizing rubber.
The first thing you need to have for creating a plastic part is a mold.
Mix liquid plastics in a well ventilated area to reduce the danger of fumes.
To create your own silicone rubber mold for plastic casting complete this 3 day process.
Based on the part that was molded estimate or measure the amount of plastic resin needed to be mixed here is a 1 1 mix ratio resin.
If specific color is required add coloring to the mix.
Note that the original item must hav.
Most plastic manufacturers create the design in the computer through a 3d imagery or animation software and eventually create a physical 3d model made out of abs plastic.
Home plastic injection molding with an epoxy mold.
Pour the mixed liquid plastic into the mold at the lowest point.
Then i was able to make copies of that item using a home plastic injection molding machine this process should work for many different types of items or models.
While you can buy them in all sorts of shapes sizes and designs sometimes finding the perfect mold for a custom piece is impossible.
I made an epoxy mold of an existing plastic item.
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet called thermoplastic is heated to a pliable forming temperature formed to a specific shape in a mold and trimmed to create a usable product.
You need to create your mold with a material called rtv room temperature vulcanizing slicone rubber.
Silicone rtv rubber creates flexible tear resistant molds that are capable of producing fine detail and can withstand high temperatures.
Silicone molds are favored by casters because they are easy to use and don t require much mold release.
You may purchase a mold or create your own custom molds out of reusable molding materials silicone and or plaster.
The mold is a female replica of your original part.
When that happens you have to make your own.