All production is executed at 16 μm (micron) layer thickness using XHD (Extreme High Definition) 1200 × 1200 × 1600 DPI resolution. This standard we provide delivers outstanding surface detail and dimensional accuracy, striking the perfect balance between quality and cost-efficiency for the jewellery industry. Lower resolution modes are not used in our facility.
Our 3D wax printers have the printing surface area of up to 300mm wide 200mm long & 130mm high, meaning anything that can fit within that surface area, we can print it. However, keep in mind we can’t cast that large.
Items exceeding 90mm width and 160mm in length are not cast as a single piece. Beyond this width and length, metal flow slows and temperature drops, increasing the risk of premature solidification and bottom-fill miscasts.
At Hygrade, we provide complete peace of mind by keeping all design files local to the printer (your designs are never uploaded to cloud servers) ensuring your CAD data and intellectual property remain completely under our control. Our 3D wax printers meet strict US and European cybersecurity standards, safeguarding sensitive designs at every step. Combined with strict NDAs, clients can trust total confidentiality, making us the safest and most reliable choice for high-value, custom jewellery manufacturing.
Please see our casting technical information to account and determine casting shrinkage factors needed for your metals.
We take extra care to ensure the crispiest, highest-quality wax prints pre-casting.
Stage 1: Clean & Calibrate
Before starting a new build plate, the printer is thoroughly cleaned, including wiper blades, and every wax jet is tested via calibration prints. Any clogged jets are cleaned and purged until fully clear. This ensures flawless wax prints, preventing defects that could lead to re-printing, re-casting, and wasted time.
Stage 2: Hotplate Release
Waxes are carefully removed from the build plate using a dedicated hotplate. We do not use freezer “cold-shunt” methods, which risk cracks and micro-fractures in delicate waxes.
Stage 3: Solvent Dissolving
Support wax is removed through four sequential, temperature-controlled solvent baths with magnetic stirring. We avoid ultra-sonic baths for safety reasons and to prevent delicate parts from snapping. The final bath uses pure solvent to remove any remaining traces of build support wax.
Stage 4: Force Drying
Waxes are dried with cool, filtered air to ensure all solvents evaporate completely, leaving clean, dry, and crisp wax ready for treeing and casting.
