InstaMorph Mold

[waterlogged4]

Does anyone foresee a problem with using InstaMorph plastic as a really quick mold material for a one-off protoype?

Doing a bit of googling, InstaMorph is actually polycaprolactone
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycaprolactone).

The only thing I’m worried about is the resin exotherm locally heating the “mold” enough to deform or melt and any possible epoxy interactions (I would be sealing/releasing with Frekote).

Unless anyone can think of a major issue, I’ll just try it and report back. If it sticks I can just dunk it in hot water and scrape the mold off the part!

[sduffass]

Does anyone foresee a problem with using InstaMorph plastic as a really quick mold material for a one-off protoype?

Doing a bit of googling, InstaMorph is actually polycaprolactone
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycaprolactone).

The only thing I’m worried about is the resin exotherm locally heating the “mold” enough to deform or melt and any possible epoxy interactions (I would be sealing/releasing with Frekote).

Unless anyone can think of a major issue, I’ll just try it and report back. If it sticks I can just dunk it in hot water and scrape the mold off the part!

Depending on what the melting point and pliable point is for that instamorph stuff I’d almost want to consider doing the layup in a colder temperature atmosphere. Or if doing infusion boarder line temperature for max infusion/workable time, but in the second case you’d have to really know your epoxy or resin and what’s the coldest it can be while still workable.

I posted about the instamorph stuff while ago about I think plug making but still have never tried it. Interesting looking stuff though.

[20_rc51_00]

From what I can tell it has quite a bit of shrinkage during it’s setting. I will not reproduce make a female mold with any great degree of fidelity.