Preliminary study of unmodified wax printing using FDM 3D-printer for jewelry

This paper proposes a preliminary study of making wax model from a customized FDM 3D- printer for jewelry application. Using external extrusion speed and heating control together with the XYZ gantry control of the original printer, two types of wax, injection grade and carving and milling wax were extruded through a plunger-cylinder extruder to form some basic shapes and Buddha statues. Flowability of waxes was investigated and the printing objects were observed. It was found that both waxes could be extruded at a temperature lower than their melting points. The modified FDM 3D-printer could produce 3D wax objects but the materials were easily spread outwards during printing. Further study focusing on printing parameters and material properties were required to improve the printing resolution and accuracy.