In our previous article, we introduced the method for making cast bicycle parts. This time, we will share the finished products of other related bicycle parts.
They are all first printed with an Ultimaker3 3D printer. Industrial-grade PolyCast filament must be used to send to the foundry for mold making!
Filament trivia: PolyCast is a material specifically designed for investment casting (lost-wax casting) of metals. It can be polished with an alcohol polishing machine and completely burns out during casting to ensure the integrity of the mold cavity.
This time we have three small bicycle parts. Let's take a look!
First is this link part. We almost always bring samples of this part printed in various materials to every exhibition, always arranged in a magnificent row!
The newly printed part shows some 3D printing marks. We will polish it using a Polysher alcohol polishing machine.
Place it in the alcohol polishing machine for about 10 minutes of steaming.
After steaming, it is sent to the foundry for processing. Initially, it will be a gray casting (as shown below), unpolished.
After polishing and grinding, it will be very shiny and eye-catching. Let's see more beautiful shots from different angles~~~
Next up is the bicycle pedal. Everyone knows bicycles have pedals, but perhaps you've never looked at one this closely.
In fact, pedals have many details and their shape is quite appealing. First, let's look at a photo of a 3D printed pedal.
The final pedal part after casting and polishing.
Finally, there's the bicycle pedal link part. It looks a bit like a wrench (the editor almost mistook the finished metal part for a tool).
Front
Back
The cast and polished part
Finally, a group photo.
Friends interested in bicycle parts can also refer to our previous article - 3D Printed Bicycle Casting Parts.
The effect of casting is truly beautiful, completely comparable to actual products. Now, by using this method, you can save the expensive cost of mold making, and also create metal products with lower costs before finalizing the design.
Please note that all printed objects in this article were printed using PolyCast with an Ultimaker 3D printer. The special properties of PolyCast filament allow it to be polished with an alcohol polishing machine and completely burned out during casting to create the mold.
Are you feeling a bit tempted
to try this casting method yourself? Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding PolyCast material or the production process!