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

In this five-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.

• 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

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

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

All students must be 18 years old or older.

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.