wax patterns are sprued and dipped in colloidal ceramic then coated with sand to build up a thick layer of ceramic

wax patterns are sprued and dipped in colloidal ceramic then coated with sand to build up a thick layer of ceramic

ceramic shells are placed in a kiln where the wax inside is burned out

the burnout kiln melts wax out of the ceramic shells and pre-warms shells for pouring metal inside

the furnace melts bronze in a crucible inside, bronze is stacked around the top to warm before melting

tongs are used to carefully lower bronze into the furnace for melting inside a crucible

black body radiator

breathe deep, there's nothing toxic here, nope

breathe deep, there's nothing toxic here, nope

shells are loaded onto a removeable cage which is put into the kiln and pre-heated before metal is poured inside

the crucible full of bronze is hoisted on a bridge crane clamped into shanks to control the pouring of the metal into the shells

sometimes a breakout is catastrophic for the casting, sometimes it's inconsequential, sometimes it's just overspill

the extra bronze is poured into ingots for storage

allegedly an italian tradition, it's at least a corralles & los ranchos tradition

the metal is allowed to cool in the shell. differing cooling gradients often splits the shells as the metal shrinks making it easier to de-invest

investment is broken off ready for sand blasting remnants of ceramic. pins bind the shell together preventing breakage due to hydrostatic pressure

all five pieces digitally assembled in proximity

after welding together, patching holes, and adding threaded mounts, the bronze is given a patina then waxed before installation