Go Cast Yourself! 3D Scan, Print, and Cast in Bronze

Instructor - Eli West

Eli is a visual artist and metalsmith. He enjoys casting in bronze and silver, making botanical sculptures, forming sheet metal into functional objects, and exploring patinas on metal. He has a keen interest in geography and biology and tries to highlight concepts from both disciplines in his art.

Class Description

In this four-evening intensive course, students will have the opportunity to scan themselves, a friend, or objects of their choosing. Day two will be an introduction to Blender, a free and open source 3D modeling software. We’ll edit our 3D scans and make them suitable for 3D printing. We’ll discuss wax resin printing and print our objects on a Form 3 printer. On days three and four, we’ll prepare our objects with wax sprues, make investment molds, run an overnight burnout in a kiln, and cast them in ancient bronze or silver.

Students will take home their polished bronze pieces. This class is intended for everyone - from folks with no scanning, modeling, 3D printing, or casting experience, to people with experience in any of these disciplines.

Material Fee

The materials fee for this class is $40. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in Venmo.

Class Goals

• Handheld 3D scanning techniques
• Creating environments suitable for scanning
• Editing meshes in Blender
• Basics of 3D printing in castable wax resin
• Wax sprue techniques
• Investment mold making
• Electromelt and crucible operation
• Casting techniques
• Finishing and polishing
• Patination

Material Supplied

3D Scanner, castable wax resin, wax, investment, steel flasks, ancient bronze, + tools for finishing and polishing. PPE - leather aprons, gloves, glasses.

Students Should Bring

Any objects or people they'd like to scan, laptops, closed-toe shoes, natural fiber clothing, long sleeves and pants.

Prerequisites

All students must be 18 years old or older.

Class Policies

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email education@artisansasylum.com with any questions.

*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.