Abstract: A sprue structure is specifically designed to facilitate the rapid filling of molded polystyrene patterns with molten metal. It comprises a down sprue and parallel columnar members that are connected to the down sprue. The flow of molten metal is initially downward through the first columnar member and then it reverses direction to flow upwardly through second and third columnar members so that the patterns to be cast receive molten metal as it travels upwardly through the second and third columnar members. This decreases the amount of pyrolyzation products that could otherwise flow through in-gates and into the patterns to be cast.

Abstract: Method of making a subcutaneous melt flow-channel in the surface of a fugitive foam pattern used in lost-foam casting process. After a refractory skin has been formed on the surface of a foam pattern, a strip of the skin is treated so as to cause the foam underlying the strip to recede from the strip and leave a groove in its stead. Suitable treatments include (1) heating the strip, or (2) applying a foam solvent thereto that soaks through the skin. In each case, the treatment is such as to cause the foam underlying the treated strip to soften and recede from the strip.

Abstract: A method of producing reticular structures, particularly metallic reticular structures, as well as a device suitable for the production thereof. The method and device enable continuous and/or automated production of such structures, and particularly, large-scale automated production of large-dimensioned reticular structures. A reticulated foam pre-structure is placed into a first container and infiltrated with a refractory material. After solidification, the mold formed by the refractory material is removed from the first container and the foam pre-structure stripped from the mold. The mold is then pre-heated and placed into a second container and infiltrated with a molten substance that forms the reticular structure when solidified. The filled mold may be covered with a solid jacket as a means of controlling the rate and progression of solidification of the molten substance to form a fine-grained, bubble-free structure.

Abstract: A wax runner is provided having risers along the edge of the surface which is melted to attach the wax gates of wax patterns to the wax runner. The risers prevent the flow of molten wax over the edge of the wax runner. In addition to the risers or separately, at least one locator extends from both ends of the wax runners, the locators are aligned with one another and assure a constant distance between the ends of the wax runner and the wax pattern being affixed to it. The locators further provide a fixed reference point.

Abstract: According to the invention a light metal cylinder liner with a surface which facilitates the connection with the surrounding cast material may be produced, whereby the cylinder liner is produced by means of a lost-foam method with a form for production of the cast foam model having a structured surface with height variations of 0.8 to 5 mm, said structuring being for example grooves or longitudinal elevations.

Abstract: A method of casting including forming a shell mold around a pattern fabricated from an expendable material and then removing the expendable material from the shell mold. The shell mold is located within a housing such that an inlet port of the shell mold communicates with an opening in the housing. A supporting material is provided and substantially fills an open volume between an external surface of the shell mold and an interior surface of the housing. A molten material is then pressure cast through the inlet port and into the shell mold. The invention includes a mold assembly and a casting system useful in practicing the disclosed method.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic shell mold comprises repeatedly coating a fugitive pattern of an article to be cast with a ceramic slurry layer and applying on the ceramic slurry layer a refractory stucco to form a plurality of ceramic slurry layers and stucco layers on the pattern wherein at least one of the stucco layers is formed by applying discontinuous stucco fiber bundles held together in the bundles by a fugitive binder, which is removed during subsequent firing of the shell mold at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A lost wax molding system has a re-usable, collapsible, chain-linked mesh exoskeleton, one or more inserts to be placed within the interior surface of the mesh exoskeleton to exert outward pressure on the mesh exoskeleton thereby creating a pre-formed, rigid, three-dimensional shape, a waterproof sleeve sized to cover the outer surface of the three-dimensional shape, and a base sized to seal said waterproof sleeve forming an investment mold container.

Abstract: A method for producing a golf club head consists of preparing at least two wax models for the golf club head; combining the at least two wax models; coating the combined wax models with a layer of sand mortar to form a sand mortar mold; removing the wax from the sand mortar mold; pouring molten liquid into the sand mortar mold; breaking the sand mortar mold to leave a metal golf club head. The metal golf club head is further cut off any surplus metal and polished to complete a one-piece metal golf club head.

Abstract: A method for producing a golf club head includes preparing at least two wax models for the golf club head; combining the at least two wax models; coating the combined wax models with a layer of sand mortar to form a sand mortar mold; removing the wax from the sand mortar mold; pouring molten liquid into the sand mortar mold; breaking the sand mortar mold to leave a metal golf club head. The metal golf club head is further cut off any surplus metal and polished to complete a one-piece metal golf club head.

Abstract: To prevent movement of a ceramic core in a ceramic shell for the investment casting of a turbine blade, the free end of the core has one or more pins embedded therein so that the pins project into both the core and the ceramic shell which is applied over a wax layer. After removal of the wax and firing of the shell, molten metal is cast in the space left by the wax between the core and the shell. After hardening of the metal, the outwardly projecting part of the pins are removed during the machining of the surfaces of the turbine blade blank.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a dental prosthesis comprising: obtaining three-dimensional digital data relating to a patient's dentition; designing a virtual prosthesis for the dentition using the three-dimensional digital data; transmitting digital data corresponding to the virtual prosthesis to an automated prototyping system; producing a prototype of the dental prosthesis with the automated prototyping system, the prototype made of a material that can be ablated; covering at least the prototype with a hardening material and removing the prototype from within said hardening material to produce a mold for the dental prosthesis; casting the dental prosthesis by filling the mold with a metal and removing the hardening material.

Abstract: A machine for forming and fitting core support pins into wax (70) surrounding a core (68) prior to covering the wax (70) with a frit (76), includes one or more punch devices (30), (82) within its structure, so as to enable the forming of one or more indentations in each pin, intermediate its ends, thereby providing a designed weakness in the pin to cause it to more reliably follow slight relative movement which occurs between the pins and the part being cast, thus reducing stresses in the surface of the part.

Abstract: A mold apparatus and method for creating designs on the interior of molds includes a resilient form with an exterior and an interior, with a design formed on the exterior. A rigid support member is removably attached to the interior of the resilient form. A mold pattern, conformed to removably receive the rigid support member and the resilient form in combination, completes the basic elements of the invention. In one aspect of the invention, a passageway in the rigid support member is provided for introducing a gas between the rigid support member and the resilient form. In another aspect of the invention, a vacuum application device is provided for applying a vacuum to the interior of the resilient form.

Abstract: A compressor wheel is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. These wax patterns (21) can be used in a large-scale investment casting process, and produce an economical cast titanium compressor wheel which performs aerodynamically at high boost pressure/RPM. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.

Abstract: Method making a multi-wall ceramic core for use in casting airfoils, such as turbine blades and vanes, wherein a fugitive pattern is formed having multiple thin wall pattern elements providing internal wall-forming spaces of a final core, the pattern is placed in a core molding die cavity having a desired core configuration, a fluid ceramic material is introduced into the die cavity about the pattern and between the pattern elements to form a ceramic core, and the core is removed from the die cavity. The fugitive pattern is selectively removed from the core to provide a multi-wall green core. The green core then is fired to develop core strength for casting and used to form an investment casting mold for casting an airfoil.

Abstract: Methods for making molding casts by a process typically referred to as “investment casting” using a novel composition is described. The composition is a phosphate bonded material that contains mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), magnesium oxide and silica filler (quartz, cristobalite, or a mixture thereof). It has been discovered that controlling the amount and ratio of these components has a significant impact on gas permeability (porosity), set time, cast smoothness and cast softness. The most outstanding feature of the new investments is the short mold fabrication and processing time that they allow due to their high gas permeability. The investments can be placed in a burn out furnace while still wet and can be heated rapidly to the firing temperature. The casts can be broken by sandblasting the casts with glass beads. Molds made from the casts have smooth surfaces indicating that the casts are free of visible inclusions and other defects.

Abstract: Cost considerations have prevented the use of titanium compressor wheels (1) in automotive air boost devices. A hybrid process is disclosed, wherein a wax pattern used in the investment casting process is intentionally designed not to produce a final (net shape) compressor wheel, but rather, is designed to produce a near net shape pattern including filled in areas (10, 11) which must be subsequently machined or milled away to produce the desired non-pullable shape compressor wheel. Surprisingly, when forming a titanium compressor wheel using the hybrid or two-step process, the technical complexity of each step (pattern forming and machining) is substantially lower, distortion of the wax blades (4) during pattern casting is reduced, casting of titanium is simplified, the process allows itself to be fully automated, and the dimensional accuracy of the final product is greater than with conventional techniques.

Abstract: A method of casting including forming a shell mold around a pattern fabricated from an expendable material and then removing the expendable material from the shell mold. The shell mold is located within a housing such that an inlet port of the shell mold communicates with an opening in the housing. A supporting material is provided and substantially fills an open volume between an external surface of the shell mold and an interior surface of the housing. A molten material is then pressure cast through the inlet port and into the shell mold. The invention includes a mold assembly and a casting system useful in practicing the disclosed method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a hollow golf club head is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first mold cavity having depressions formed therein, a second mold cavity having a shape complementary to the exterior of the desired club head, a ceramic core, and wax injecting means. Each depression of the first mold cavity has a depth equal to a desired wall thickness of a corresponding portion of the club head. When the ceramic core is placed in the first mold cavity and wax is injected, wax protuberances, which correspond to the depressions, are formed about the ceramic core. The wax protuberances position the ceramic core in the second mold cavity, where wax is deposited over the majority of the ceramic core.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A process for the assembly of wax trees in which a wax runner is placed in a flat position and a wax pattern is located adjacent the wax runner. Both the wax runner pattern and the wax runner are heated and then are placed in contact with one another where heated. Then the wax pattern and the wax runner are separated slightly to form a fillet weld between the wax pattern and the wax runner. An apparatus is also provided which, by robotics, brings a multiplicity of wax patterns to a wax runner and which automatically heats both the wax patterns and the wax runner before simultaneously pressing both the wax pattern and the wax runner together. Once a wax tree assembly is completed a new wax runner replaces the wax runner that has been formed into a wax tree and additional wax runners are affixed in the same manner.

Abstract: A method for making personalized jewelry and the personalized product of this jewelry making method. The method includes digitally capturing the image of a person or other object. The image is saved as a digital profile and processed to create a numerical profile. The numerical profile includes prototyping machine instructions that cause a prototyping machine to produce a wax block that contains a replica of the scanned object. The wax block is placed in a warm bath so that an outer wax melts away and an inner wax of the scanned object remains. The wax replica is then used in a “lost wax process” to make a mold of the wax replica. The mold is then used in a casting process wherein the mold is injected with precious, semi-precious, or base metals to make a cast of the object. The finished product is a replica of the object with exacting features such as nose, eyes, ears, etc. Any cavity or flat surface can be colored with epoxies, resins, enamels, or decorated further to give color contrast.

Abstract: There is provided a method or process for fabricating a hollow jewelry article which is hollowed or bored out to an arcuate estent of 200° or greater. In accordance with this process, a metal ring model is prepared comprising a solid shank and a metal plate supported along the internal perimeter of the shank and arcuately extending at least 200° therealong. A first metal mold is produced from the metal ring model having the external shape of the jewelry article to be manufactured. From this mold, a wax model of the jewelry article is produced which is first filed down and then cast in order to form a metal model of a core insert; the core insert, like the ring model, has a plate disposed along the perimeter of the shank. This core insert is used to produce a second metal mold. This second mold may then be used repeatedly in order to form a soluble wax core insert model which is then inserted into the cavity of the first mold in order to define the hollow region of the article.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a white gold composition consisting essentially of copper, silver, zinc, and manganese, and further consisting of small amounts of tin, cobalt, silicon/copper and boron/copper. More particularly, the white gold composition of the present invention discloses a white gold composition consisting essentially of about 36% to about 57% copper, about 10% silver, about 18.2% to about 24.2% zinc, about 14% to about 28.9% manganese, and the balance further consisting of about 1% tin, about 0.025% to about 0.03% cobalt, about 0.52% silicon/copper, and about 0.2% boron/copper. An objective of the present invention is to provide for methods and compositions of casting, fabricating and soldering white gold that does not incorporate nickel or palladium. The present invention also discloses no tarnish results when hydrogen is used as a catalyst to all compositions.

Abstract: A casting includes a heat transfer surface having a plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities include a density of at least about 25 cavities per square centimeter to about 1,100 cavities per square centimeter resulting in increased surface area and therefore enhanced heat transfer capability. Also disclosed is a mold for forming a pattern for molding the casting. The mold includes a surface defining a portion of a chamber to which are attached a plurality of particles having an average particle size in a range of about 300 microns to about 2,000 microns.

Abstract: An investment casting or molding method comprises encasing a consumable pattern in a no-bake material that hardens without the application of heat. The encased pattern is then transformed to a fluid state and evacuated, thereby forming a mold cavity. Preferably, the pattern is coated with a refractory material prior to encasement, so that the resulting mold cavity is lined with the refractory material. Coating the pattern with one and only one layer of refractory material is preferred, resulting in a refractory coating that is not self-supporting. In another embodiment, a refractory-coated consumable pattern is located in a container, and a granular backing material is packed in the container around the coated pattern. The pattern is then transformed to a fluid state and evacuated to form a refractory-lined mold cavity in the container. The refractory coating again preferably comprises one and only one layer of refractory material, thereby resulting in a coating that is not self-supporting.

Abstract: A tool (40) has a ledge portion (46) and a cutting blade portion (50) for cutting a groove (24, 26, 28) in a wax model (32) for an article of jewelry. The groove is formed after the wax model is formed by mechanical removal of the wax, preferably by cutting with tool (40). The wax model and gems are then placed in an investment mold where the lost wax technique is used to form an article of jewelry with the gems set therein.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a ceramic core or fugitive pattern for use in investment casting wherein a fluid ceramic core or pattern material is introduced into a molding cavity defined by cooperating dies, and at least a region of one or both of the dies is heated during filling of the molding cavity with the material and then cooled to a lower ejection temperature before removal of a ceramic core or pattern from the molding cavity.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A casting includes a heat tranfer surface having a pluality of cavities. The plurality of cavities includes a density of at least about 25 cavities per square centimeter to about 1,100 cavities per square centimeter resulting in increased surface area and therefore enhanced heat transfer capability. Also disclosed is a mold for forming a pattern for molding the casting. The mold includes a surface defining a portion of a chamber to which are attached a plurality of particles having an average particle size in a range of about 300 microns to about 2,000 microns.

Abstract: A method of producing stone set jewelry includes the step of forming at least one affixation groove within the stone to be set in the jewelry. A stone to be set with the present method should have an upper and a lower portion which is at least substantially entirely hidden from view when the upper portion of the stone is viewed. In accordance with the present method the affixation groove should be formed in the lower portion of the stone such that it too is hidden from view when the upper portion of the stone is viewed. A heat setting method is disclosed for improving the bond between the pavilion of the stone and the wax model used in the casting process. The method also includes the deposition of a mounting material within the affixation groove by applying a conventional casting method.

Abstract: A compressor wheel is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. These wax patterns (21) can be used in a large-scale investment casting process, and produce an economical cast titanium compressor wheel which performs aerodynamically at high boost pressure/RPM. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.

Abstract: A casting includes a heat transfer surface having a plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities include a density of at least about 25 cavities per square centimeter to about 1,100 cavities per square centimeter resulting in increased surface area and therefore enhanced heat transfer capability. Also disclosed is a mold for forming a pattern for molding the casting. The mold includes a surface defining a portion of a chamber to which are attached a plurality of particles having an average particle size in a range of about 300 microns to about 2,000 microns.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A wax composition for use in investment casting having improved properties includes polyethylene terephthalate as a filler material. The amount of polyethylene terephthalate used in the wax composition ranges from about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of the total wax composition. The use of polyethylene terephthalate as the filler material is effective for controlling the expansion and contraction properties of the wax composition providing a high degree of dimensional accuracy. Polyethylene terephthalate is relatively inexpensive compared to other inert filler materials, does not react with the mold, allows the wax pattern to be readily removed from the mold with reduced tendencies for shell cracking and results in little or no appreciable ash residue upon firing.

Abstract: A method of molding a jewelry ring having a beveled or rounded inner diameter and a hollow portion in a vertical mold comprises utilizing a multi-piece plug and a soluble insert in a mold to define a mold cavity in the desired shape of the ring or a portion of the ring. A molten material is introduced into the mold cavity and upon hardening forms a ring replica which is removed from the mold by first removing the formed ring replica from the mold halves and then removing the ring replica from the multi-piece plug by separating the multi-piece plug into its individual pieces. The ring replica can be used to form jewelry rings by investment casting.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a plurality of locator elements on a ceramic core involves placing a ceramic core in a die cavity of die, positioning a plurality of pins in the die cavity with each pin having a locator-forming cavity on an inner end facing a surface of the core, and introducing melted wax into each locator-forming cavity to form a plurality of locator elements on the surface of the core.

Abstract: A tool (40) has a ledge portion (46) and a cutting blade portion (50) for cutting a groove (24, 26, 28) in a wax model (32) for an article of jewelry. The groove is formed after the wax model is formed by mechanical removal of the wax, preferably by cutting with tool (40). The wax model and gems are then placed in an investment mold where the lost wax technique is used to form an article of jewelry with the gems set therein.

Abstract: A method of forming a gold statuette of a three-dimensional object, e.g. a man, is disclosed as including the steps of (1) scanning the man with scanning means to obtain data on his contour and shape; (2) inputting the data into a computer; (3) based on the data inputted into the computer, displaying a virtual three-dimensional image of the man on a monitor of the computer; (4) providing an epoxy resin prototype of the man by a sculpturing machine controlled by the computer; (5) providing silicon rubber mould-halves on the basis of the epoxy resin prototype; (6) providing a wax prototype on the basis of the silicon rubber mould-halves; (7) casting gold onto the wax prototype; (8) removing the wax, in which the scanning means revolves around the man to scan his contour and shape.

Abstract: A machine for forming and fitting core support pins into wax (70) surrounding a core (68) prior to covering the wax (70) with a frit (76), includes one or more punch devices (30), (82) within its structure, so as to enable the forming of one or more indentations in each pin, intermediate its ends, thereby providing a designed weakness in the pin to cause it to more reliably follow slight relative movement which occurs between the pins and the part being cast, thus reducing stresses in the surface of the part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cast part of a thermal turbo-machine by way of a known casting process. Between a model mold and a ceramic insert, projections are located on the ceramic insert, whereby the projections have an angle (&agr;, &bgr;) between the center line and the outer edge of the projections of less than 30°, and whereby the projections are used both for the fixation of the insert during the casting process and for the reduction of the notch factor inside the recesses created in the cast part.

Abstract: Method of rapidly making casting, comprising: designing a computer graphic model of the casting; sectioning the graphic model into graphic members which are at least one of blocks and slabs; carving a solid member for each of the graphic members, the solid members being (i) constituted of a meltable or evaporative solid material (i.e. wax or polystyrene), (ii) proportional to and enveloping its corresponding graphic member, and the carving being carried out by accessing two or more sides of each solid member to at least essentially duplicate the corresponding graphic member; forming a mold around the pattern, and casting metal within the mold while removing the pattern from such mold either by evaporation during pouring of the molten metal thereinto or by melting prior thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cooled cast part for a thermal turbo machine by using a known casting process. Between a wax model of the cast part and a ceramic core, a wax seal is applied by hand above a step, only on an additional shoulder. The material that is created during the casting process at this point by the shoulder and the wax seal can be ground off without causing rough areas on the step to form. This simplifies the welding or soldering of a cooling plate to the step.

Abstract: A fingerprint jewelry includes any jewelry with a person's fingerprints cast in relief onto its surface. It is made by pressing a finger on a sheet of pliable wax medium to imprint it with fingerprints in relief. In a first embodiment, the wax medium is comprised of a soft wax medium soft enough to be imprinted at room temperature. In a second embodiment, the wax medium is comprised of a soft wax medium supported on a hard wax medium. The imprinted wax medium is positioned in a hollow form. A mold is created around the wax medium by pouring a mold material into the hollow form. An oven is used to harden the mold material and melt away the wax to leave a mold cavity. Molten precious metal is cast into the mold cavity with a casting machine to produce a casting with the fingerprints in relief. The casting is freed by breaking the mold. Additional work may be performed on the casting to produce a finished piece of jewelry.

Abstract: When a waste wax composition containing a filler is treated so that the filler is recovered and thus reclaimed, almost all the impurities coming from the lost wax casting mold may be removed, thereby recovering and thus refining at a high purity, a filler of a lost wax composition. Crude reclaimed filler is first produced by dissolving and dispersing a waste wax composition in an organic solvent, and separating a dissolved wax phase from a solids/wax-containing fraction. The crude reclaimed filler is then dispersed in an aqueous alkaline solution, so as to dissolve and thus remove alkali-soluble impurities, followed by a water-washing process.

Abstract: An investment cast stainless steel article, such as a marine propeller, is composed of a stainless steel alloy containing from 14.5 to 15.2% chromium, 5.35% to 6.05% nickel and 1.0% to 1.5% silicon.

Abstract: A casting includes a heat transfer surface having a plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities include a density of at least about 25 cavities per square centimeter to about 1,100 cavities per square centimeter resulting in increased surface area and therefore enhanced heat transfer capability. Also disclosed is a mold for forming a pattern for molding the casting. The mold includes a surface defining a portion of a chamber to which are attached a plurality of particles having an average particle size in a range of about 300 microns to about 2,000 microns.

Abstract: An article, such as an airfoil, is cast by a lost wax investment casting process. The process includes providing a core having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of a space to be formed in the airfoil. The core is at least partially enclosed with a layer of wax. A portion of the layer of wax is removed from the core. The step of removing a portion of the layer of wax from the core includes heating a tubular member and melting a portion of the wax layer by engaging the wax layer with the heated tubular member. Molten wax is conducted away from the core through the heated tubular member. A mold is formed by at least partially coating the wax layer with mold material which extends across the core at the locations where the melted wax was conducted away from the core. The wax layer is removed to form a mold cavity which is filled with molten metal to cast the airfoil.

Abstract: A rigid bar (or segment) on which stones will be at least partially supported is positioned in a rubber mold for creating a wax pattern of the jewelry, injecting wax to form a wax model of the jewelry including the metal bar to fit into an incision in the stones. The model with the metal bar forms the invisible pre-set stone mount. Stones are then placed into set position in the wax pattern on opposite sides of the metal bar. Once the setting is complete, the jewelry is created using known “lost-wax” method of manufacturing jewelry.