In the area of technical model making, there is an ongoing discussion about various methods to compensate for dimensional changes that occur as a jewelry design progresses from model to finished product. Many opinions exist for minimizing metal weights to meet customer price point requirements; prong size, spacing, channel dimensions and other stone setting issues have been a constant source of debate. There are as many opinions on the best shape, size and point of attachment of feed sprues as there are model makers. We must consider all these things and much more as we design a model. In this paper I intend to present some of my findings on technical model making based on materials, dimensional change, machine and tool geometry, flow dynamics, heat transfer, etc. Useful for hand model making as well as CAD model making, this paper will focus on making your desings come out beautifully and repeatedly.

Author: J. Tyler Teague