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I’d like information on what is available to print flexible mold, like silicone, that can go into an oven, and is food grade, but not food contact

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Hi Kathy, first of all I want to let you know, that there is (at the moment) no silicone material that can be 3d printed. However there are similar materials, so called elastomers, that might fit your needs, allways ask for the glass transition temperature, the material that you use has to have a glass transition temperature that is higher then the temperature that the material is exposed to (for example 200C in an oven). There are many different elastomers available for 3d printing, but non of those are food safe (I didn’t find a food safe material so far). However you could make yourself a mold out of silicone using normal 3d printing materials. For example if you want a backing form for muffins, then you just contact a Hub that prints in food safe material (like Colorfabb XT) and you get yourself some muffins printed, as well as the outside of the backing Form. In the next step you’d use those prints to create a mold in which you can fill silicone. There are food safe silicones for mold making, just look around the Internet for castable/mold-making silicone silicone, it’s commonly used for model replicas and similar. I have very minor experience with this mold making, however I could print you the mold that you use for the silicone. Material recommendation would be Colorfabb XT or T-Glase as both are food safe and have a smooth outside surface, don’t use PLA and especially do not use ABS since both are not food safe (ABS is especially dangerous). I hope this helps for now, I think this is the only way to a custom silicone mold, but I’m not omniscient, so if anyone can prove me wrong please do so. -Marius

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Thanks Marius. I’m looking to get a prototype for a new product. If I understand you correctly, your saying make male and female parts, put them together and fill the gap with silicone to create my piece. I have the piece that the created mold would be used with - enveloping it - bottom and sides. how can I go about getting the drawing to create the piece? I need a drawing right? For 3d printing. obviously I’m not totally versed on 3d printing.

You are in Tampa? Do you have these food grade materials you mentioned?

Thanks, Kathy

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Kathy,

Because we are very well versed in food-grade and medical-grade silicones, we DO have silicone material that we HAVE 3D printed. We can do prototypes, or 100s of units. Let me know if you are interested in having us do your cooking product.

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Hi Kathy,

I just joined 3D HUBS and saw your post. Are still in need of help with your project? If so, let me know and I’d be glad to discuss it with you.

Thanks,

Steve