3D Printed Moulds
3D sand printing gives us the ability to produce casting moulds directly from a CAD file, without conventional pattern tooling. For complex geometries, one-off pieces, prototypes, and art castings where conventional tooling would be prohibitively expensive or impractical, it opens up possibilities that traditional foundry methods cannot match.
Benefits
Design freedom
Undercuts, internal voids, and organic shapes that are impossible or very costly to achieve with a split-line pattern are straightforward with a printed mould.
Lower upfront cost
No pattern tooling to commission or store. Ideal for one-off and short-run work.
Speed to first casting
From approved CAD file to first casting in days rather than weeks.
Prototyping
Test a design in the final material before committing to production tooling.
Art and sculpture
Complex sculptural forms and intricate surface detail are achievable without compromise.
What We Need from You
- A 3D CAD file in a standard format (STEP, IGES, STL)
- Material specification or a description of the application
- Any surface finish, dimensional, or testing requirements
We will review the design for castability and come back to you with any recommendations before quoting.
In Practice: Black Renaissance
The award-winning Black Renaissance sculptures, 52 unique silicon bronze castings produced for the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Alabama, used 3D printed sand moulds to achieve the intricate detail required by the artist and the Equal Justice Initiative. This project won the Cast Metals Federation Component of the Year 2024.