Homework F6: Molding and Casting

The goal of this project was to explore different molding techniques and materials to understand their properties, advantages, and limitations. By working with wax, clay, and chocolate, we aimed to develop practical skills in mold-making while encouraging collaboration and creativity within our group.  

We selected wax, clay, and chocolate because they are safe, readily available, and easy to handle. These materials allowed us to experiment without needing complex tools or posing safety risks. Additionally, their versatility made them enjoyable to work with, providing a balance of practicality and fun that enriched our learning experience.  

The project was divided into two teams. Rola and Kara focused on the wax and clay molds, while Farsin and I concentrated on the chocolate molds.  

For the first mold, Rola and Kara attempted to create a model of a foot. Kara pressed her foot into clay to create a two-piece mold, but the mold’s shallow depth caused the wax to break when poured. After this challenge, the team switched to creating a smaller mold of a flavoring bottle.

This time, Rola crafted a deeper clay mold by using two blocks of clay, ensuring the impressions were sufficiently deep to hold more wax. To expedite the hardening process, she baked the clay in the oven and fixed small cracks with warm water. Kara then poured the wax into the molds and cooled them in the fridge. Once solidified, she carefully removed the wax pieces and fused them together using a heated metal spoon, successfully creating a three-dimensional wax bottle.  

Farsin and I worked with chocolate, a material that presented unique challenges due to its fragility and tendency to melt easily. We chose chocolate for its smooth texture and flexibility in molding, but its delicate nature meant we had to be cautious with both the molding process and temperature control. I melted the chocolate using a double boiler, which allowed us to heat the chocolate gently and evenly, preventing it from burning or seizing.

We then selected three objects to serve as a structure for our molds: a plate, a cup, and a tin. Each object represented a different shape and surface. These objects were chosen to experiment with how chocolate would behave when molded in various configurations, providing us with a broader understanding of how chocolate adheres to different materials and surfaces.

Once the chocolate was fully melted and ready, Farsin and I carefully poured it into the molds, ensuring the chocolate flowed evenly across the surfaces. We then let the molds cool, allowing the chocolate to harden and take shape. This process resulted in two successful shapes: a plate and a dome, each representing a clean, well-formed piece. However, we faced a setback when the chocolate plate turned out to be thinner than anticipated, which caused it to crack slightly when removed from the mold.

Despite this, we decided not to discard the broken pieces. Instead, we saw an opportunity for creativity. The plate’s cracks became a feature of our design. We transformed the damaged plate into a sculpture inspired by Jumbo the Elephant. The plate became the elephant’s base, the dome was shaped into its head, and the broken pieces of the plate were carefully reassembled to form the elephant’s ears and trunk. Using melted chocolate as a “glue,” we bonded the pieces together, ensuring stability to the final sculpture.

This project offered valuable hands-on experience with molding and casting, emphasizing the significance of material selection and structural design. Challenges with wax, clay, and chocolate molds taught us to adapt and innovate, showcasing creativity and engineering in design. Collaborating with Farsin on chocolate molds underscored the importance of teamwork and perseverance, especially when faced with failed models or unsuitable materials. Ultimately, the experience highlighted problem-solving and determination, resulting in successful final products despite initial setbacks.