Cast Concrete with REUSABLE 3D Printed Molds

How to use 3d printed molds to create cast concrete products and objects - without needing any silicone.

All Project files are available free from my website:

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Link to Fusion 360 software:

Music:

[roykinn]

I've found an 8:1 mix of isopropyl alcohol and castor oil in a spray bottle goes on more uniformly and releases easier than petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, I even prefer it to fancy, expensive mold release from Smooth On.

[chrismaupin]

I've had luck making 3D printed moulds by just making a cube in the design environment and then doing making the form I want to create a negative-Boolean (subtract) which leaves the negative form. Then I just split the cube into halves and print. Nice if you add some registration pegs or keys as well along the edge of the mould.

[AmieOkami]

Wow! I've never considered just using the 3D print for the mold instead of using silicone, this is awesome and I'm definitely going to try it

[JonathanLawrenceMitchell]

Thanks for this. I attempted a basic ashtray using a 3d-printed mold with PoP and ended up with one attempt completely locked into the mold and another requiring the destruction of a part of the mold to release. What was missing in my scenario was the mold release agent.

Also, fyi, you may find it beneficial to swap the gravel for dry sand as the aggregate in your concrete. Removing the aggregate altogether significantly reduces the rated strength of the concrete (as another youtuber said, "you are now making cement", which, by itself, is comparably weak. Sand may also provide you with the benefits of controlling coloration and finished texture of the products.

[overlycranked]

Great technique! This is a perfect combination of the Artistic vision and technology. I also love the attitude in presentation. Now. I'm gonna get to floating a few goats of mine too

[mohe]

Cura also has a mold option. For complex molds you might want more options, but I made a cigar ash tray and just putting the stl of the ashtray in Cura and let it create the mold worked fine.

[Bhrazz]

very nice, the pertroleum jelly is the answer I was looking for. However: ProTips: You needed cement ( not concrete) and also, please wear a mask when mixing concrete/cement: IT is very toxic

[elijahjns]

100% what I was looking for. I was literally looking for how to make 3d concrete molds with 3d printer. Imma try it out in blender though.

[keithcarter]

I gave this a go using a mould I designed in Inventor and printed with my Prusa Mk3. Turned out surprisingly well, even with just a light sand with some 150grit. My draft angles need to be steeper on my second version though, and I'm thinking about making a vibrating table to get rid of those bubbles....

[MateoGuio-lrym]

Amazing video ! This helps me with a model I have to make for school thank you !

[jamesjblackbird]

Dont know how I ended up here, I don't even have a 3d printer. But the video was great, both making and editing. Great attitude too.

[SteveNilsen]

Woooha! I´m so gonna try this out. Have been thinking about casting in iron/alu before, but not concrete. And adding color pigments to it. Oh man!
I just about sucks at Fusion 360, so getting the STL´s just getting me started to test out things. THANK YOU A LOT!
Checking your instagram feed, you are truly a makers magician!

[RoseKindred]

I was more interested in the software aspect of this video, pretty cool. I cannot even make a box yet on the program from scratch.

[jacksonwhiteley]

"slic3r, aka slic 3 r, if you wanna say it like a weirdo", that alone earned my like.

[turnturn]

You can buy cement, it doesn't include aggregates. Though you might consider fiberglass fibers instead of stone.

[StanfordLikesCake]

Just wanted to say you are an excellent YouTuber. There is literally zero bullshit or filler in this video. God it's fucking perfect and I wish other YouTubers would view this video and learn how to be less annoying fucks.

Definitely earned a sub from me. Top work mate. It seems you antipodeans have this shit worked out.

[juliangoulding]

Nice always wanted to try this with a 3D mold, they look great. Add some Iron oxide to the mix and the come out Matte black, looks so dope.

[porker]

Not to be a nit picker, but if you remove the "Stones" (actually called aggregate) you are now making cement, Not concrete. I have no experience in 3D printing, so it was good to see this. Thank you.

[drychalice]

Great video....
Side note.
33% portland powder - 33% PVA glue - 33% plaster of Paris. = putty-like cement.
Half portland powder - half plaster of Paris = liquid-like cement.
48 hours to dry.

[Lloyd.B.]

Nice process. I was thinking about making wind-spinner sculptures for outside with 3D printing, but the actual plastic from 3D printing won't last in the weather anywhere near as well as concrete would.