Mold For a Refractory Brick
This is a mold for a high-temperature part. A castable refractory material will be poured in this rubber mold, to create a specialized furnace brick. I made a plaster model from a supplied drawing, and a rubber/plywood mold for production.
When I make a rubber mold such as this, I like to build a plywood frame. I have the facilities and experience to do this "carpentry" quite efficiently. The frame serves two functions:
First, it acts as a container in which to pour the rubber. I can design the frame to fit close to the model, so as to minimize the volume of rubber used.
Second, the frame supports the overall form of the rubber. Urethane rubber is great- it releases easily and delivers excellent detail and finish. However, I'm always concerned that if the mold is put down on a less-than-perfect surface, it will pick up a slight distortion. This is especially worrisome with ceramic "cases", where one is making multiple parts which must fit tightly together. So I like to have the rubber fit into a "mother" frame where I know it will hold its shape perfectly.
Most mold makers solve these problems by just pouring huge volumes of rubber to make big, stiff molds. I prefer to minimize the rubber as much as possible- the material is expensive, it's a pain to mix very large quantities, and I try to use less petrochemicals where I can.
Click the images below to enlarge
Categories
Commercial Projects
Studio, Tools, Techniques
Mold Design
Elements in the design of plaster molds for slip-castingNotes on Ceramics and Design
From the Collection
Objects of interest, mostly ceramic, each with a story to tell.DM Artwork: Ceramics
DM Artwork
Shop Talk Archives
December, 2023
September, 2023
October, 2021
February, 2020
January, 2020
April, 2016
December, 2015
January, 2015
June, 2014
April, 2014
March, 2014
June, 2013
Recent Shop Talk
Eva Zeisel, a personal chronology
I attempt to reconstruct two decades of work with Eva Zeisel
Eleanor
Eleanor Plates
New plates 8/2023
New ceramic work
Small-batch production
I often get inquiries regarding small-batch ceramic production.
Fish Plates
Hauling in a net full of fish plates
View More Shop Talk