The Islands of the Fraternal Order of Moai

I was wondering if anyone out there has had experience with creating mugs from 3d prints? I work by day as a 3D artist and I have some ideas swirling around for mugs I could sculpt in Zbrush and 3D print. Anyone have any experience with the process of going from 3d print to molds etc? Any pointers, resources you'd recommend? With the pandemic, I have more time around the house to make things, looking for new hobbies!

Mahalo!
--The Captain

Hey Captain, I’ve been looking into something similar. There is a way to design, then 3D print, an item and mold. Should be relatively easy to adapt as a mug design. Here is an Instructable.

Also, here is a White Paper from FormLabs on the subject of injection molding but designing a mug mold using similar mold making technique may work. You would just pour slip instead of injecting plastic/wax/other material.

From what I’ve been reading, Blender does a good job. I just downloaded the latest version and started playing with it, then got sent on a 6 week work trip so I haven’t done much yet.

Good luck and let me know if this helps.
OZ

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To Taua Na Moai Mau Loa, Roger, Rob and Matt.

I know this isn't exactly helpful, but there is an artist named Biggs Tiki

https://biggsstudio.squarespace.com/

that has done, at least one mug I know of, from a 3D printed sculpture.




Follow him if you're on Instagram.
He posts a fair amount of behind the scenes. videos.

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Is it any different than making a slip mold from and other sculpted piece?

What would be really cool would be investment casting a bronze mug from a 3D print. I know there is a filament for foundry use.

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Set a course for the Foc's'le Lounge!

Excrementus Cadaemus

Awesome! Thank you for the resources, I'll check into them and report back with my progress!

--The Captain

Ohh that is sweet work, like his style, I will! Thank you for the link!

Interesting thought, I definitely would need to work my way up to bronze work though!

Depends on the 3D printer used, those that use a filament can use something like this: 3D Insider

I’m not sure if SLA printers can print metal alloys, I can’t see any in the FormLabs shop.

Good luck!

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To Taua Na Moai Mau Loa, Roger, Rob and Matt.

I just have a PLA printer, a Makerbot Replicator 5+ so I believe I would need to go from print to mold to mug.

--The Captain

Reach out to Lucky Primate - he does foundry work as a hobby...

If and when you get your 3d Print done Captain, Contact MakikoMoe (Monica) and she can help with the mold making and ceramics part of it.

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Aloha Captain!

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

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AnTiki

Will do!

I am too, I'm thinking about starting with trying to mix some Disney character themes with Tiki, perhaps some Disney Afternoon mugs