How to Make Fountain and Concrete Molds for Superior Creativity and Design

Fountains are a monumental (pun intended) addition to your landscape design. A water fountain adds a layer of protection from noise pollution while creating movement throughout the yard, garden, or commercial landscape.

Any landscape supply merchant offers pre-made concrete fountain designs that can be delivered and installed easily. For a unique or customized look, or if you are considering mass producing concrete water features for commercial purposes, consider making your own concrete mold. Offering custom fountain designs can add a unique and profitable aspect to your landscaping business, concreting company, or outdoor supply store that others do not have.

For concreters specifically, the diversification of your product line does not need to stop at fountain molds. The advent of the 3D printer has allowed for the easy production of unique molds for minimal cost. Molds for fountains, concrete pavers, and concrete stamps can all be easily customized, with a high profit margin in comparison to the cost of designing and creating the molds.

The thought of 3D printing often sends many hiding in fear of the price tag and expensive equipment. Finding a quality 3D printing company that can help with the entire mold-making process will help reduce costs and frustration while increasing revenue and productivity. If you are a DIY fountain maker or are seeking a special design for your landscape, having a 3D printing outfit do the work is a great idea that saves you from purchasing costly equipment and supplies for just a job or two.

If you are planning on mass producing the finished product, then you should consider more long term durable metal molds, using 3D printing for prototyping the mold in the first instance. While metal molds cost more upfront, they pay for themselves many times over in the long run.

Making Molds for Fountains

A mold allows landscape designers the freedom to tailor fountains and other concrete pieces to the overall theme of the garden or landscape setting, rather than forcing something pre-made that would not full integrate with the planned work. While it may seem trivial to put the thought and effort into a custom fountain, put yourself in your customers shoes and think what they might prefer.

Molds are typically two pieces or more featuring designs that are impressed on the concrete once poured and set. The use of a 3D printer to create the basis for molds allows for virtually any design imaginable.

3D printing is often used to create the design and a master, which the mold is cast from in the material chosen as most suitable for the application. Final molds can be metal, rubber, silicone, or plastic. The decision is based on the desired final product as some materials create a porous concrete while others end up waterproof.

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How to Duplicate Fountains or Other Concrete Decorative Items – Sand Molding vs. 3D Scanning

There are instances where an existing fountain or other concrete item is in need of duplication. Some might use an interesting technique called sand casting. Pieces of the fountain or item are pressed into the sand and removed with care. The impression mimics the size and shape of the original. Concrete is poured into the sand mold and allowed to dry. The result is a recreation of the original.

A more hi-tech alternative however is to 3D scan the piece you would like to duplicate (assuming you have the rights to do so of course). Once the 3D scan is made, it can easily be turned into a 3D file from which 3D printed molds can be created again and again.

Assembly Required

While 3D printing a master can help create a mold that fashions a single-piece product, there will be some assembly required. Water pumps, hardware, and other permanent installation fixtures will need to be assembled.

It is important to keep this in mind during the creative process. If a design requires the installation of pipes and pumps ahead of completion, be sure to allow time for this step and to factor it into the design.

Custom molds and design can play an integral part in the landscape design decision-making process as well. If you have a challenging environment or remote location you need to work in, consider creating a fountain or concrete installation that can be carried in more pieces and assembled on site, rather than one that requires the assistance of a crane or forklift to maneuver into a difficult position.

Using 3D Printing to Create Custom Concrete Designs

The customization allowed by 3D printing is a game changer for landscape designers and concreters alike. The ability to please a wider clientele and offer design flexibility is priceless, allowing you to impress your clients while maintaining your budget.

3D printing is not without its costs, but you will be surprised how cost effective working with a professional 3D printing company like us is, and how much time and cost it will save you compared to trying to learn how to design in 3D, and purchase all the required equipment yourself.

If you’d like to talk more about how 3d printing could be used to enhance your concreting or landscaping business, get in touch today on 1.888.202.252, or by using the chat function on this site or emailing info@jcadusa.com. We look forward to speak with you!

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