What is 3D Printing?

The art of making jewellery has remained the same for centuries. The traditional way of taking raw metal and gemstones and crafting them into a beautiful bespoke piece at a bench was always the main method to create any piece. Revolutions have been few and far between, but in the last 20 years, the industry has been overhauled by new technology. 3D printing, laser engraving, and laser sintering are just some of the amazing developments that have led to us being able to create pieces that would have either been impossible or would have taken months to complete.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing in combination with CAD software is arguably one of the biggest developments. But, what is 3D printing? 3D printing is how we turn a digital design into a physical piece.

There is a whole range of 3D printers and materials available now that can be used for creating jewellery. We at CPC use two main types of printers: a hard resin printer and a wax resin printer.

Hard Resin Printer

Hard Resin Printer

The hard resin printer uses a light-active resin. The piece is built upside down and is broken down into hundreds of images, which are then projected through the resin, hardening to create a physical piece. These pieces do require extra supports to build, so some finer details can be lost. However, it gives you and your client a chance to see a piece of jewellery before you proceed to cast. It is difficult to interpret a computer image of a design, especially when working with smaller measurements. Being able to get a physical copy of a design can give you the chance to change the look, add or remove detail, and check stones. Most beneficially, it can allow your client to try on a piece before you have to spend time and money on a piece. The hard resin is formed from a non-castable plastic. This is so the piece is more durable than a wax resin, which, due to a high wax content, is very fragile.

Wax Resin Printer

Wax Resin Printer

The wax resin printer literally prints out in wax, making the piece similar to if you had carved it in wax. This means it can be cast with traditional methods, leading to a clean burn. This means less porosity, so easier mounting. The printer we have at CPC is a flatbed printer that builds in two materials: a support material and a castable wax. The support material is built around the castable wax and then melted away from the castable wax. This allows us to create extremely fine detail and a crisp finish to the wax. There are many benefits of a 3D wax over a carved piece. With a 3D wax, a design can be built multiple times, so if there is a failed cast or a repeat order, you can have an exact copy at the click of a button. You can also add in fine claws for micro setting and intricate detail. Additionally, with the CAD software available, you can make both organic as well as geometric forms. The main benefit of 3D printing is definitely speed and precision, with it the possibilities are endless.