Everything You Need to Know About Wax 3D Printing

The term wax 3D printing is somewhat misleading, as in fact should be considered indirect 3D printing. In other words, 3D printing is not used to manufacture the final part, but as a step in the process. Wax 3D printing for example makes it possible to produce wax molds that serve as models for the final part. Wax is not the material of the final part. It is simply used to create the shape and is then melted. As the shape of the wax does not ultimately exist and is “lost”, it is often referred to as lost-wax casting.

As you may have guessed, the lost-wax process is a casting process which enables small, identically cast parts to be produced with few finishing steps. It is traditionally highly valued for its dimensional accuracy, detail and surface quality. Wax 3D printing has the same objectives, but the difference is that the mold is 3D printed rather than hand-made.

3D wax printing was originally based on the lost-wax principle (photo credits: 3D Systems).

As mentioned, wax 3D printing is primarily used to make molds, which are then used as a form for metal objects, precious or otherwise. The advantage of wax is that it burns with almost no residue, and does not require complex mold processing. In addition to special printing wax, there are also burnable filaments and resins for the same purpose. 3D technology makes it possible to print almost any design and combine cast-iron quality with complex structures. So let’s take a closer look at the process.