{"id":273812,"date":"2026-08-11T08:33:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T12:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solidxperts.com\/?post_type=techtips&p=273812"},"modified":"2026-08-11T10:00:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T14:00:21","slug":"mjp-3d-printing-jewelry-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"techtips","link":"https:\/\/solidxperts.com\/en\/blog\/mjp-3d-printing-jewelry-manufacturing\/","title":{"rendered":"From CAD to Wax: How MJP 3D Printing Is Transforming Jewelry Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"

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From CAD to Wax: How MJP 3D Printing Is Transforming Jewelry Manufacturing<\/h1>\n
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A new piece of jewelry can begin with just a few lines in a CAD software. But before it becomes a piece made of gold, silver, or another precious metal, that design still has to go through an essential step: becoming a physical model precise enough to be integrated into the casting process.<\/p>\n

And this is where things get interesting.<\/p>\n

What happens when a design is particularly complex? When a customer requests a customization? When several variations of the same model need to be produced? Or when a model needs to be manufactured quickly without creating new tooling?<\/p>\n

Additive manufacturing offers a direct answer: produce the wax model directly from the digital file<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is precisely the application for which 3D Systems’ MultiJet Printing (MJP) solutions have been developed. By combining a printer designed for jewelry models, dedicated wax materials, and 3D Sprint preparation software, the workflow can move directly from digital design to a model intended for the lost-wax casting process.<\/p>\n

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When Every Detail Matters<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

In jewelry manufacturing, a few fractions of a millimeter can make a significant difference.<\/p>\n

A model may contain fine details, sharp edges, organic shapes, or complex geometries. For the final result to remain faithful to the original design, the wax model must reproduce these characteristics accurately.<\/p>\n

The ProJet MJP 2500W Plus was specifically developed to produce wax casting patterns for jewelry applications. It uses VisiJet 100% wax materials designed to produce models faithful to the CAD design, with sharp edges and precise detail definition. 3D Systems also indicates that certain materials are designed to melt like traditional casting waxes and burn out without ash residue.<\/p>\n

The MJP 300W Plus offers several print modes designed to meet different production requirements. Its Premium ZHD mode uses an 8 \u03bcm layer thickness, while the QHD and XHD modes use 14.1 \u03bcm and 16 \u03bcm layer thicknesses, respectively. The system’s stated typical dimensional accuracy is \u00b10.0508 mm per 25.4 mm of part dimension.<\/p>\n

The MJP 300W Plus also offers a QHD mode with a stated resolution of 2,400 \u00d7 1,800 \u00d7 1,800 dpi. These different print modes make it possible to adapt the process to the desired balance between detail, surface quality, and productivity.<\/p>\n

The goal is therefore not simply to produce a model that resembles the original design. It is to reproduce the characteristics of the digital model as accurately as possible before integrating it into the casting process.<\/p>\n

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Why Print Directly in Wax?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

The answer lies in the workflow.<\/p>\n

When a model is produced using traditional methods, several intermediate steps may be required. Depending on the application, creating a master model and a mold may also be part of the process.<\/p>\n

3D wax printing offers a different approach: the digital file becomes the direct starting point for manufacturing the physical model.<\/p>\n

CAD model \u2192 digital preparation \u2192 wax printing \u2192 lost-wax casting \u2192 final metal part<\/strong><\/p>\n

This approach makes it possible to produce a physical model directly from the digital design. A modification made to the CAD file can then be prepared for a new print without necessarily having to recreate a master model or mold for every variation.<\/p>\n

This can be particularly interesting for customized jewelry, small production runs, and designs requiring multiple iterations.<\/p>\n

Additive manufacturing does not replace every traditional jewelry manufacturing method. Instead, it offers another way to produce certain models when customization, geometric complexity, or process flexibility are priorities.<\/p>\n

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3D Sprint: Connecting Design and Manufacturing<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

A precision 3D printer can only produce data that has been properly prepared for manufacturing.<\/p>\n

This is why software plays an essential role in the workflow.<\/p>\n

3D Sprint is 3D Systems’ additive manufacturing preparation and production management software. It is used to prepare digital data and organize models for compatible systems.<\/p>\n

In jewelry applications, the preparation capabilities go beyond simply positioning models on a build platform. On the MJP 300W Plus, sprues and runners can be accessed through the Strut function, facilitating the addition of structures required to prepare certain parts for casting. The software also includes the Surface Enhance function, designed to improve certain surfaces depending on the needs of the model.<\/p>\n

The result is a more cohesive workflow:<\/p>\n

CAD design \u2192 preparation in 3D Sprint \u2192 MJP printing \u2192 wax model \u2192 casting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Digital preparation therefore becomes an integral part of the manufacturing process. The final result depends not only on the printer, but also on how the model is prepared for production.<\/p>\n

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One Printer, Multiple Ways to Produce<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Not every jewelry model requires the same balance between resolution, speed, and productivity.<\/p>\n

This is why the MJP 300W Plus offers multiple print modes.<\/p>\n

The XHD mode is designed to balance speed and quality for the production of larger batches.<\/p>\n

The Premium ZHD mode, with an 8 \u03bcm layer thickness, is designed to produce highly detailed models, particularly for upward-facing surfaces.<\/p>\n

The QHD mode offers a resolution of 2,400 \u00d7 1,800 \u00d7 1,800 dpi according to 3D Systems’ specifications.<\/p>\n

This flexibility makes it possible to adapt the process to the model being produced. A highly detailed part may require a different priority than a production run consisting of a large number of models.<\/p>\n

The best configuration is therefore not necessarily the one that maximizes resolution alone. The appropriate mode should be selected based on the required level of detail, geometry, and production volume.<\/p>\n

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A Workflow That Evolves with the Design<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Jewelry is an industry where customization plays an important role.<\/p>\n

A model may need to be modified to meet a customer’s requirements. A collection may require several sizes or variations. A new design may need to be tested before being introduced into larger-scale production.<\/p>\n

In these situations, digital manufacturing offers significant flexibility.<\/p>\n

The design can be modified in the CAD file. The new file can then be prepared and printed.<\/p>\n

The ability to move quickly between the physical model and the digital model reduces the distance between design and production.<\/p>\n

The development process becomes more flexible: a design can be tested, modified, and reproduced as the project evolves.<\/p>\n

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A Real-World Example: The Narsakka Case Study<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

One of the best ways to understand the value of a workflow is to look at what happens in a real production environment.<\/p>\n

Narsakka, a Finnish jewelry company, integrated a 3D Systems wax 3D printing solution to produce models intended for casting.<\/p>\n

According to the case study published by 3D Systems, Narsakka can produce 60 to 100 wax models in just four hours, helping reduce production lead times from several weeks to a few days.<\/p>\n

The company uses the ProJet MJP 2500W with VisiJet M2 CAST material. The workflow also uses soluble and fusible support materials, allowing batch support removal and quick access to models ready for casting.<\/p>\n

The case study also highlights another advantage of a digital workflow: flexibility. Narsakka uses the solution for both larger production batches and more specialized custom jewelry production.<\/p>\n

According to 3D Systems, the company also eliminated the need for master models and rubber molds in its process and reported a 100% success rate for the parts produced as part of the case study. These results should naturally be understood within the specific context of Narsakka’s application and production process, but they clearly illustrate the potential of an integrated digital workflow.<\/p>\n

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Why Choose an MJP Solution Over Another Technology?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Not all 3D printing technologies are designed to meet the same requirements.<\/p>\n

For the production of jewelry models, several factors must be considered simultaneously:<\/p>\n