<p>If you are on a limited budget, you might consider using wax casting combined with 3D printing technology, as this is often more economical than directly printing with precious metal powders. If the jewelry you are printing requires high precision and complex designs, DMLS or <a href="https://powder.samaterials.com/process-selection-of-additive-manufacturing-for-metal-powder.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SLM</a> technology might be the best choice. The general approach is to use DMLS to create wax or plastic molds and then proceed with investment casting. The investment casting method can significantly reduce the waste of precious metals, as it only uses the amount of metal needed in the mold.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-02T09:10:56.523Z
2024-08-02T09:10:56.523Z
user44579
<p>The jewelry industry typically uses printers that print in wax, and transform the models into precious metal by lost wax casting. Statasys offers wax printing in their Solidscape line, 3D systems offers ProJet. With this process there is basically no waste, since you can remelt the casting sprues.</p>

<p>I am not aware of printers that print directly in precious metal. It might technically be possible with DMLS but you have to fill up the entire machine with metal powder, which is cost prohibitive (and potentially more wasteful).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-06T18:19:25.953Z
2016-10-06T18:19:25.953Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>What is the 3D printing technology that allow to have minimal loss in precious metals when 3D printing jewels?</p>

<metal-parts>
Can I print jewelry without any loss of the precious metal?
user123456
# Can I print jewelry without any loss of the precious metal?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-06)

What is the 3D printing technology that allow to have minimal loss in precious metals when 3D printing jewels?

**Tags:** metal-parts


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-10-06. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

The jewelry industry typically uses printers that print in wax, and transform the models into precious metal by lost wax casting. Statasys offers wax printing in their Solidscape line, 3D systems offers ProJet. With this process there is basically no waste, since you can remelt the casting sprues.

I am not aware of printers that print directly in precious metal. It might technically be possible with DMLS but you have to fill up the entire machine with metal powder, which is cost prohibitive (and potentially more wasteful).


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### Answer by username_1 on 2024-08-02. Score: 0

If you are on a limited budget, you might consider using wax casting combined with 3D printing technology, as this is often more economical than directly printing with precious metal powders. If the jewelry you are printing requires high precision and complex designs, DMLS or [SLM](https://powder.samaterials.com/process-selection-of-additive-manufacturing-for-metal-powder.html) technology might be the best choice. The general approach is to use DMLS to create wax or plastic molds and then proceed with investment casting. The investment casting method can significantly reduce the waste of precious metals, as it only uses the amount of metal needed in the mold.


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