Italian Lost Wax Casting Process


Presentation ON ITALIAN LOST WAX CASTING PROCESS



Prepared by
Tejesh Man Shakya
For
NEPAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
February 2012





Introduction

• Innovative process of Lost Wax Casting Technique that similar to Nepali  traditional process

• Invented on 900 years ago by Italian Monk

• Already made-up in Patan 27 years ago by some Traditional Metal Sculptors

• Started practice on 14 years ago at Tribhuwan University Fine Art Campus

• Also practiced for Advanced Sculpture at Kathmandu University Centre for Art and Design

• In comparison of Nepali traditional process, very fast and less time consumable process

• Small size of wax sculptures could be sent immediately for casting process after preparing mold and large size of  wax sculpture could be cast in metal within a week

•  Mould Making materials  are major dissimilarity between  Italian process and Nepali process

• Expensive process in comparison of Nepali traditional process

• Most innovative automatic kilns have been  developed  in western countries that also known as Vacuum Investment Casting Plant

Comparison between Italian process and Nepali process














Working Process

1st Phase: Composition of sculpture on wax
2nd Phase: Spruing, cupping and venting
3rd Phase: Mold making
4th Phase: Dewaxing
5th Phase: Mold baking and Melting metal
6th Phase: Casting Metal (Pouring molten metal into baked mold)
7th Phase: Breaking open cast mold
8th Phase: Cutting out sprue and vent
9th Phase: Welding, filing and chasing
10th  Phase: Plating /Patina/Painting


Essential Materials  and Tools  for Wax Sculpture

Bee-hive / Paraffin Wax/ Micro Wax


Various types of Modeling , Cutting and Heating Tools


Modeling Desk/ Pentus  Wheel


Electric Heater/Gas Stove/Kerosene Stove / Charcoal Oven/Heat Gun


Wooden Slab/ Marble stone Slab/ Ceramic Slab



Essential Materials  and Tools  for Mold Making

Gypsum

Refractory Grog

Galvanized Iron Sheet/Plywood/Wooden Plank /Steel Flask

GI Wire

Chicken Mess Wire 

Various Size Buckets and Containers 


Essential Materials  and Tools  for Metal Casting

Mold baking Kiln – Firewood/Kerosene/Gas/ Electric

Metal melting Furnace- Hard coal/Kerosene/Gas/Electric

Blower

Any kind of Scrap Metals

Crucible

Various sizes of Ladles, Tongs and Hammers


Essential Materials  and Tools  for Finishing

Grinder plus Grinding Wheels and Cutting Wheels

Hacksaw plus Blades

Chisels and Hammers

Welding Gases plus Equipment

Files and Sandpapers

Essential Materials  and Tools  for Plating /Patina/Painting

Various chemicals

Various Pure Metals

Heating Equipment 

Various sizes of Buckets

Various Colors 

Various sizes of Brushes




























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An Artist, Designer and Educator as well as Founder Chair of Kala Nest. He had started his career by assisting his father Tej Ratna Shakya as apprentice for foundry based Metal Sculpture. Currently he translates his traditional sculptural practice into contemporary works in his own studio and engages in Artist Residency Projects and Art Workshops at home and abroad. He has completed his Master Degree (M.A.NeHCA) majoring in Nepali History, Culture and Archaeology from Tribhuvan University. He graduated in B.F.A majoring in Advanced Sculpture plus Graphics/Photography from Kathmandu University and also graduated in B.B.S. majoring in Advertising and Distribution Management from Tribhuvan University. He is also Associated Faculty of Kathmandu University, at the Centre for Art and Design and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In addition, he is also the Director of Foundry Foundation Nepal and the Founder of Worldwide Foundry Alliance in UK.

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