How to get a gloss finish on my 3D printed mould


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Matteo Dapporto
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Good afternoon

I've read all the topics in this forum but I'm still confused so I kindly ask an help.

I’m experimenting the production of a compression mould by using my 3D printer.
The part I want to manufacture is made by Carbon fiber and has 1.2mm thickness. I want to cure it at room temperature at the beginning and if everything is OK I will cure in a oven at 60°C in the future.

Here a picture of my 3D printed mould (made by ABS but I can choose different material  such as PLA, Polycarbonate, ASA and so on).
I have removed all the 3D printing layers and defects by using sand paper; here is how it looks like at the end of the sanding process:


I have applied 7 layers of releasant wax and polysh the mouls after the last one by using a clean cloth.
I have prepared a sandwich of carbon fiber and resin and put inside the compression mold and squeeze it by using 300Kg of weight; I cure it at room temperature.

Here the picture if my first carbon fiber trial part.
Please note that the right side has been painted because the CF part just out of the mould has a matte finish which I don't like at all (I want a gloss finish without any additional painting or polish treatment). I can see major defects which I think are due to a lack of material (my sandwich was too thin) and I'm not worry about it.



How can I get a gloss finish on my carbon fiber part just out of the mould ?
Is it true that the only way to get a gloss carbon fiber part is to have a gloss mould surface? If the answer is yes, can you explain me the reason ?

If I need to treat my 3D mould (ABS material) so it became gloss, which process and materials do I have to purchase?
I’ve read about filler and other stuff but I’m a little bit lost because normally a 3D printed mould is not commonly used.

Can I use S120 directly on the ABS (or PLA, Polycaronate, ect) mould or do I have to apply a primer first?
Or do I have to apply to the mould an epoxy resin first?
I'm a little bit lost and confused because all the info I found are not referred to compression mold and do not require a gloss finish carbon fiber part as I would like.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Edited 7 Years Ago by Matteo Dapporto
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Steve Broad
Steve Broad
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I agree with Hanaldo.

If I tried this method, I would CNC the moulds in aluminium. It is easy to machine, hard wearing and polishes to a glossy finish easily. They look pretty straightforward so a basic 2.5D mill would make this very accurately with no problem.
Matteo Dapporto
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Steve Broad - 10/10/2018 12:33:17 AM
I agree with Hanaldo.

If I tried this method, I would CNC the moulds in aluminium. It is easy to machine, hard wearing and polishes to a glossy finish easily. They look pretty straightforward so a basic 2.5D mill would make this very accurately with no problem.

I've asket a quotation for CNC moulds to a local supplier and the price is 600€.
The 3D mould material cost me around 7€ plus some hours of work to polish it.
I think for a small production like mine the mould price is quite important.
For sure I will not get the best appearance as I can get by using a CNC mould but it's ok for me to get what I can get from a 3D mould.
 Regards
Matteo

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Matteo - 7 Years Ago
scottracing - 7 Years Ago
Matteo - 7 Years Ago
Hanaldo - 7 Years Ago
Matteo - 7 Years Ago
Hanaldo - 7 Years Ago
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Steve Broad - 7 Years Ago
Matteo - 7 Years Ago
f1rob - 7 Years Ago
Matteo - 7 Years Ago
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Matteo - 7 Years Ago
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Furrari - 7 Years Ago
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SleepingAwake - 7 Years Ago
Matteo - 7 Years Ago
SleepingAwake - 7 Years Ago
                     Thanks for your help!
Matteo - 7 Years Ago
Furrari - 7 Years Ago
             End component of the diffuser.
Furrari - 7 Years Ago
scottracing - 7 Years Ago
Furrari - 7 Years Ago

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