Critical reflection on the selection of digital manufacturing materials In this creation, I used photocuring technology to complete the printed parts in China, and its detailed expression significantly surpassed that of the PLA (polylactic acid) material matched with the previously commonly used melt deposition molding (FDM) technology. When critically comparing the applicability of the two materials, I mainly focus on the requirements of ”texture“ and ”exquisiteness“ of ”jewelry“, a specific medium: PLA (FDM): Although PLA has the advantages of lightweight and easy access, the inherent layer pattern in its molding process (layer li Nes) Traces and matte surface characteristics lead the final work to show a structural roughness or the industrial aesthetics of ”prototype“. There is a fundamental conflict between this texture and the aesthetic requirements of micro-exquisiteness, gloss and fine work pursued by jewelry. For works of art for wearing and display, this roughness has become a major aesthetic obstacle. Photosensitive resin (Resin – DLP/SLA): Relatively speaking, photosensitive resin printouts provide extremely high anisotropic resolution and smooth and delicate surface texture. The characteristics of this material can better capture complex tiny details (such as cross-shaped patterns and irregular edges in images), and obtain a fineness close to that of jewelry castings after post-processing, thus effectively meeting the strict standards of ”sophistication“ and ”advanced texture“ in jewelry design.
I think there are fundamental aesthetic limitations to the application of PLA in the field of jewelry. In the future, resin materials (especially castable resins) are the key choice to realize the design vision and enhance the value of the work in creations involving human wear or requiring high aesthetic perfection. This transformation is not only an upgrade of materials, but also a quality commitment to the concept of ”jewelry as a work of art“.
chuyun lu‘s 