piece-mold casting

metalwork

Also known as: sectional-mold casting

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Last updated

July 2, 2026

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Piece-mold casting is a method used in founding, which involves pouring molten metal into a mold to create a casting. A piece mold is specifically designed to be removed from the cast in sections, allowing for the reproduction of complex shapes without damaging the original model. This technique is particularly useful for creating master casts for subsequent reproduction in metal, such as in the lost-wax process. While traditional piece molds were made of plaster, modern variations can use flexible materials like gelatin or vinyl for easier removal, especially from rigid originals with undercuts. This method is highly skilled and laborious but essential for detailed metal casting.12

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sculpture
Casting and molding
Plaster piece molds are used for producing more than one cast from a soft or rigid original and are especially good for reproducing existing sculpture and for slip casting (see below). Before the invention of flexible molds (see below), piece molds were used for producing wax…
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Plaster piece molds are used for producing more than one cast from a soft or rigid original and are especially good for reproducing existing sculpture and for slip casting (see below). Before the invention of flexible molds (see below), piece molds were used for producing wax…
Read More