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Containers
Kit Matrix
Custom & Shell
Slip & Slide
Dip & Dunk
Reverse Flow
AirPaths & Liners

Chapter 1: The Matrix
Selecting and/or Creating Lifecasting Containers.

Engineering Air Paths:
Air Traps, you should recall from LifeCast™ Basics; Chapter 3, happen when some area of your mold turns up from some lower portion. Also remember that this phenomenon has nothing to do with the mold, it is strictly a casting event.
Here are 2 more ways to prevent air traps. The first one below is excellent for controlling the exact positioning of your model. If made well a matrix such as this will be usefull for years.
Set Up: The first approach for precise control is to think upside down. This is the best approach when you want to adjust the exact position of the model(s).
In this example I wanted this couple's fingers and hands to be identically positioned. Each above their part of the Yin Yang base to maintain the desired symmetry. This could only be done before the mold covered them up as follows.

The Reversed Flow Or Presicion Lifecast Matrix:
AA life cast premtxStep 1: The mold making process is done by having your model's hand come up through a hole cut in the bottom of the matrix as shown. As you can see, this allows you to position things exactly as your design requires.
The matrix has a sheet of plastic glued to the bottom with some extra allowed to extend through the hole. This excess is tightly held to the wrist by a rubber band to prevent the mold liquid from escaping.
Notice the generous use of Velcro® type strips to prevent slip & slide as discussed above.
Any parts of your design (in this case, the fingertips) which are at risk of air traps are attached through the bottom with common, 1/8" insulated wire. Pegboard is very convenient in this arrangement for reusable matrices. Simply plug up the holes you don't need.
The model lightly rests the fingertips against the ends of these wires, providing what will become air paths in the next step.
AA life cast premtx1Step 2: This is where the upside down thinking pays off.
When the mold has set, the model is released, the assembly is turned upside down and the wires removed for the pour.
Note: For additional support to prevent slip & slide, the mold should go all the way to the top edge of your matrix. When the assembly is turned over it all rests on the same level.
Removing the wires creates thin tubes which now extend to the top surface from the fingertips. When you pour your casting medium, the air escapes though these tubes. This allows the entire mold to be perfectly filled no matter how high or complex the air traps would otherwise have been.
This photo shows the results of just such a set up used to create the husband & wife's hands which were then mounted to an exotic wood base shaped in the Yin/Yang arrangement.
Copyright © 1987 through 2003 by MSWinn. Thank you for visiting www.lifecast.net!
ToP
1/18/03

LifeCast™ & MSW Creative Works Legal Information:

Contents of this web site (lifecast.net) and all life cast materials and other art and sculpture products or lifecast kit packaging, art techniques and sculpture instructions copyright © 1986-2002 by Mark S. Winn. All rights reserved. The terms BODY PARTS™, LifeCast™, ChildCast™, StudioPack™, ArtForm™, ArtCast™, Earthium™, Earthium(f/x)™, ShrinKast™, PolyART™, WaterTrap™, BlendBag™, Successful Creativity Guarantee™, LifeMask™, FastMask™ as well as the phrase "Make YourSelf Immortal!™" and any other art materials product or craft item denoted by a small 'TM' (such as in LifeCast™) are trademarks. The phrases life cast and life casting or the words lifecast and lifecasting are generic.
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