Casting hollow shells from a mould


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logisticpeach
logisticpeach
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Hi,

I'm looking for some advice to point me in the right direction in terms of materials and techniques for a project I'm working on.

In a nutshell, I need to take a positive impression of the inner-ear, create a mould and then cast a solid shell from the mould (think of a hearing-aid shell) into which electronics will be placed later.

I have seen some discussion online around this topic whereby acrylic resin is allowed to partially cure, solidifying from the outside toward the centre and therefore creating a "shell" of the mould.

My question is: give that I have no background in composites, plastics or materials science, how might this be achieved, and what materials/tools would be needed?

Thanks in advance!

Kenny
Warren (Staff)
Warren (Staff)
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You are looking at very tiny moulds and very fiddly small layups. 

I would suggest that traditional composites would unlikely be suitable for that purpose as the traditional methods such as wet lay, resin infusion and even pre-preg are more suited to bigger parts.

I'd imagine you would be better off looking down the casting resin or plastic injection type routes.  Many of the raw plastics are often "composites" as in use filler powders and strands etc to improve the performance but on a smaller scale.

As a DIY method, you could make a silicone mould then pour casting resin into it. Due to the size and scale, I would recommend vacuum degassing as a single small bubble could ruin things.  Plus you would need an "insert" you lowered into the centre portion of the mould so that it displaces resin where you want a void to give you the hollow section.

Even then at that size, it won't be an easy task to get right.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant
Matthieu Libeert
Matthieu Libeert
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I would say exactly the same as Warren...
But the problem that remains is that I wouldn't like anyone to put silicone into my ear :s...
Maybe you should try to find what they use to make custom earplugs for musicfestivals and so on... 
I know they ask a lot of money for it because they mould it to your inner ear... could be some kind of wax or thermoplastic they heat
and mould your ear and then let it cool down again so they have your shape

Matthieu Libeert
Founder MAT2 Composites X Sports
website:
www.mat2composites.com




Brian_s
Brian_s
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This may help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmsbUZPUvJY

You will then need to make a mould from this to cast your finished object.
If you use a silicon putty as in the video you may find that Silicon moulding material will stick to it.
Perhaps someone from easy composites can confirm this?
I am not sure if a hard resin will fit back in your ear comfortably. You may need something that flexes.

Brian.
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