Waxuum
Release status: Experimental
| Description | A toolhead for making patterns from wax.
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| License | unknown
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| Based-on | [[]]
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The waxuum (waxuum = wax vacuum) is sort of a reverse-extruder. The idea is that a heated hollow needle is used to remove material from a block of wax in a controlled manner, analogous to conventional machining using an endmill. A vacuum pump pulls the molten wax through the needle, after which it is deposited in a reservoir where it can be recycled. The wax part can then be used directly, or more likely it can be used as a pattern for a mold. The process goes by several names; it was called the "hot wax vacuum method" in this classic article from Don Lancaster's Hardware Hacker column.
Waxuum is not intended to replace other methods of fabrication; rather it is meant to be used in special circumstances where it has unique advantages over, for example, extrusion and conventional machining.
Work in progress, more to come...
