Independent Study · Spring 2026独立研究 · 2026年春季学期

Casting &
Design for Manufacturing
铸造与
制造设计

A hands-on exploration of mold-making, resin casting,
and DFM principles for hardware enclosures.
通过亲手实践,探索模具制作、树脂浇铸
以及面向制造设计(DFM)原则在硬件外壳中的应用。

Student学生 Yutong Luo Instructor指导教师 Kevin Arne Course课程 TECHIN 600 Quarter学期 Spring 2026

This independent study bridges the gap between basic 3D-printed prototypes and manufacturing-ready hardware. Through hands-on experimentation, I am learning to translate a conceptual hardware enclosure into a high-fidelity physical product — applying DFM principles, silicone/resin casting, and desktop injection molding.

这门独立研究课程旨在弥合基础3D打印原型与量产就绪硬件之间的差距。通过动手实验, 我正在学习如何将一个概念性的硬件外壳转化为高保真度的实物产品——运用DFM原则、 硅胶/树脂浇铸以及桌面注塑成型技术。

Each project in this book documents both the theory and the actual making process, including mistakes, adjustments, and reflections along the way.

本过程记录中的每个项目,都完整记录了理论与实际制作过程,包括途中的失误、调整与反思。

  • Understand and apply core DFM rules in CAD — draft angles, parting lines, wall thickness
  • 理解并在CAD中应用核心DFM规则——拔模角、分型线、壁厚
  • Design internal structural features: mounting bosses, snap-fits, reinforcing ribs
  • 设计内部结构特征:安装凸台、卡扣连接、加强筋
  • Gain hands-on experience with mold-making, resin casting, and injection molding
  • 通过实践获得模具制作、树脂浇铸和注塑成型的经验

Projects项目

Updated as the quarter progresses随学期进度持续更新

Silicone Mold Experiment — finished glitter resin phone case
Project 01 Complete已完成

Silicone Mold Experiment — Phone Case硅胶模具实验——手机壳

Making a silicone mold from an existing phone case to learn material behavior, mixing ratios, and the demolding process. First of a series of silicone experiments.

以现有手机壳为原型制作硅胶模具,学习材料特性、混合比例和脱模过程。系列硅胶实验的第一项。

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Silicone Mold Experiments II — ESP32 container cast in polyurethane resin
Project 02 Complete已完成

Silicone Mold Experiments II硅胶模具实验 II

Iterating on phone case casting with color mixing and bubble reduction, while building a new mold for an ESP32 container and trying polyurethane resin for the first time.

在手机壳浇铸上迭代,探索色彩混合与气泡消除,同时为ESP32容器制作新模具,并首次尝试聚氨酯树脂。

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AuraSync enclosure — frosted resin lid and white SLA-printed base
Project 03 Complete已完成

AuraSync: Enclosure FabricationAuraSync——外壳制作

Fabricating the AuraSync product enclosure using two methods: silicone mold casting for the frosted transparent lid, and SLA printing for the white base. Involved mold design mistakes, a resin crack repair, and progressive wet sanding.

为AuraSync产品制作外壳,两个部分分别采用不同工艺:硅胶翻模制作磨砂透明上盖,SLA打印制作白色底座。过程中涉及模具设计失误、树脂裂缝修复,以及从粗到细的湿磨打磨。

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Finished injection-molded yellow PP rabbit figurine
Project 04 Complete已完成

Injection Mold注塑

Designing and SLA-printing a two-part injection mold for a rabbit figurine, then casting yellow PP plastic on a desktop injection molding machine. Three production shots from a single mold.

为兔子模型设计并SLA打印双面注塑模具,在桌面注塑机上使用黄色PP塑料进行注塑。一套模具顺利完成三次注塑。

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