Abstract: A method of forming a nickel shell for a mold insert to reproduce an article surface, and a novel nickel shell insert are disclosed. The method comprises securing the article to be reproduced to a base having a perimeter, forming a dam about the perimeter, filling the interior of the dam with a silicone, mounting a register plate over the article within the dam in contact with the silicone, and allowing the silicone to cure whereby the silicone forms a negative master of the article surface, removing the negative master from the article and positioning a steel mandrel over the negative master to define a cavity therebetween, feeding a silicone which is not adherent to the negative master into said cavity to fill the cavity and allowing the silicone to cure whereby the silicone forms a positive master which adheres to the steel mandrel, removing the negative master from the positive master, and depositing a layer of nickel by nickel vapour deposition onto the positive master to form a nickel shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a nickel shell mold by nickel vapour deposition onto a mandrel in a deposition chamber is disclosed. A nickel shell mold assembly is produced having a liquid and vapour-tight cavity co-extensive with the mandrel for receiving a heating fluid, preferably a liquid such as oil, for flood heating of the mandrel to a uniform surface temperature.