Method for digital manufacturing of jewelry items

Abstract

A method for digital manufacturing of a jewelry item includes printing a three-dimensional wax model on a substrate and printing a three-dimensional sprue, the sprue being adapted to support the wax model. A fixture for handling wax models includes a platform, a plurality of holders, a plurality of standoffs, and a tie. A method of manufacturing a jewelry item, comprises forming a first wax model for a portion of a jewelry item, forming a second wax model for a portion of a jewelry item using a rapid prototyping process, and performing one or more lost wax processes with the first and second portion to create the jewelry item.

1 . A method for digital manufacturing of a jewelry item comprising:
 printing a three-dimensional wax model on a substrate; and   printing a three-dimensional sprue, the sprue being adapted to support the wax model on a tree during a lost wax process.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sprue includes an identifying label for the wax model. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising designing the sprue to optimize flow of metal into a void created by the wax model during the lost wax process. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the designed sprue is a tapered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the designed sprue includes a feeder directed toward a portion of the wax model. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the wax model includes a feature for acting as a feeder and the sprue is connected to the feature. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the feature is a portion of the wax model for forming a stud on the jewelry item. 
     
     
         8 . A fixture for handling wax models, comprising:
 a plurality of levels adapted to be arranged in spaced apart relationship, each of the levels comprising:
 a platform; 
 a plurality of holders arranged on the platform; 
 a plurality of standoffs adapted to maintain the spaced apart relationship of adjacent levels; and 
 a tie adapted for securing the plurality of levels. 
   
     
     
         9 . The fixture of  claim 8 , further comprising a carrier configured for carrying the plurality of levels. 
     
     
         10 . The fixture of  claim 9 , wherein the carrier includes a base having a plurality of sockets, the sockets arranged to receive one or more standoffs from a level of the plurality of levels. 
     
     
         11 . The fixture of  claim 9 , wherein the carrier includes a pair of handles for handling the fixture. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a jewelry item, comprising:
 printing a wax model of a jewelry item having an inner surface, wherein printing the wax model includes defining a design on the inner surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the design includes a block letter design. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the design includes an icon. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the design includes a spiral design. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the design includes a recessed design. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the design includes a raised design in a recessed area. 
     
     
         18 . A jewelry item, comprising:
 a jewelry shank comprising a first material and having a recessed portion defining a side panel position;   a substantially thin side panel comprising a second material and being adapted for placement at the side panel position of the jewelry shank, the side panel including customized designs.   
     
     
         19 . The jewelry item of  claim 18 , wherein the second material is a precious metal. 
     
     
         20 . The jewelry item of  claim 18 , wherein the first material is a precious metal and the second material is a precious metal and the first material is more cost efficient than the second material. 
     
     
         21 . The jewelry item of  claim 18 , wherein the side panel is relatively trapezoidal in shape with a relatively long top edge, a relatively short bottom edge, and arcuate upwardly extending side edges. 
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a jewelry item, comprising:
 forming a first wax model for a portion of a jewelry item;   forming a second wax model for a portion of a jewelry item using a rapid prototyping process;   performing one or more lost wax processes with the first and second portion to create the jewelry item.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising securing the first portion to the second portion before performing the one or more lost wax processes. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising securing resulting portions of the jewelry item to one another after the one or more lost wax processes. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more lost wax processes includes two lost wax processes, one process for each of the wax models. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the two lost wax processes are performed with different metals. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first wax model is for a ring shank and includes a side panel recess and the second wax model is for a side panel. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the side panel recess includes a surface contour and the side panel is substantially thin with a contour matching the surface contour of the side panel recess.