Tips and Tricks for 3D Printing Concrete Molds
Makers and DIY enthusiasts have access to more materials for their projects than ever before. 3D printers make it incredibly easy to work with plastics and rubber, and materials like wood have long been a staple in this hobby. But what about concrete?
Sign up forfree
Forgot your password?
Create an account
*Required: 8 chars, 1 capital letter, 1 number
By continuing, you agree to thePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Use.You also agree to receive our newsletters, it’s possible to opt-out any time.
Why Use Concrete for DIY Tech Projects?
Concrete has been around for a very long time. It’s well known for its versatility, providing many of the benefits of solid rock without having to be sculpted. Instead, you can use molds to form concrete shapes, making it a material that just about anyone can use at home. Of course, though, there are more benefits to this material that can easily be overlooked.
Despite its benefits, there is a time and a place for concrete. The tips and tricks revealed below will give you a good idea of how to create 3D-printed molds for concrete, along with some advice to help once the concrete is poured.
How to Design 3D Printable Concrete Molds
Designing a 3D printable concrete mold is easier than you might expect, but there are a few approaches that you can take. The more molds you make, the more you will learn about the process, and it should get easier to create successful molds.
These tips will give you a head start with your concrete mold production, but you will have to do some learning for yourself. There are loads of videos and guides around the web to help you with 3D printing, and plenty that relate to concrete, giving you a wealth of resources to draw from.
Choosing and Mixing Concrete for 3D Printed Molds
The concrete you choose for your 3D-printed molds will always impact the finished result. There are several issues to consider when you are choosing concrete for your project, ranging from cure time to the size of the materials that make your cement.
Curing and Finishing Your Concrete
The final part of this process involves curing and finishing your concrete. Most concrete takes a very long time to cure fully, with many mixes getting harder and harder for as long as a century. In reality, though, most of the concrete you find in stores will cure enough within a couple of days.
Patience is key here. Your mold will be extremely hard to remove without causing damage if the concrete isn’t cured properly, but it won’t make any difference if you over-cure your mold. Be extremely gentle as you remove the mold from your new concrete object.
Once your object is out of the mold, you have a lot of finishing methods to choose from. Sanding your concrete will make it smooth, while coating it in epoxy or PVA will harden and protect it. Choose a finishing method that reflects the desired outcome of your design and follow guides online to help you to achieve the right results.
Making Things Out of Concrete
Concrete is a rather exceptional material, offering the strength of stone while being relatively easy to work with. Of course, though, you will still need to learn a lot along the way, and working on your own projects is an essential element of this process.
Building robots doesn’t have to be complicated. Check out these easy-to-make robots to get started in the hobby.
Every squeak is your PC’s way of crying for help.
Who asked for these upgrades?
Sometimes the smallest cleaning habit makes the biggest mess.
It saves me hours and keeps my sanity intact.
Not all true crime is about hacking, slashing, and gore.
