Second Wallet skin

The second mould for the wallet has been made, A slightly thinned down version that the last mammoth attempt. From doing these two moulds I have learnt a lot about the ways in which moulding works and techniques to improve on later moulds, this will be valuable for the final product.

Alterations to Wallet skin

After the mark2 wallet skin was produced I looked over it to try and faults with my mould.

For a start it was way too thick so I have routed out 4mm off the surface join of the mould.

Also when folded the centre creased so I have had to cut out a groove to all it.

Iv also rounded off the corners so that the silicone is stronger. Lets hope mark 3 is better.

Result of mould

Heres the result of the mould I produced, I am happen with some aspects of it but there are some problems that need addressing. The main one being the size, Iv made the mould too deep so its silicone is too thick and chunky..

Im going to need to figure out if I can make the skin with a mould that is already bent rather that pouring into a flat mould. This will help with keeping the wallet in shape and folded rather than springing back.

Mould finished

Just finished making my mould today for a 'Presence skin' which I have been developing for the past while. I should be ready to pour in the poly urethane now and see if this mould works. I designed it myself and haven't really shown the plans to anyone so hopefully I thought it out right!

Materials testing

The past week I have been looking at materials to use in the wallet, I have looked at various grades of shore hardness within silicone and poly urethane ranges and also been looking at different types of leather.

I'm really interested in getting a look at some tanned fish skin close up but am struggling to find any place with it.

I think for part of my final product it will be made out of poly urethane to get a smooth and tough edge to the product. Iv just received my order from 'mouldlife' with a shore 50 2kg tub and done a few tests and when cured seems to be the right stuff.

Skin made

For the past while I have been checking out different moulding techniques and trying some out to get familiar with them. Just finished making a skin for a wallet, first attempt so its a bit dodgy but its the first time I have injection moulded and i was impressed with the result.