Special FX Dictionary

Tare Scale

2010-05-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Scale used to determine tare, the weight of a material found by deducting the weight of the container holding that material from the total weight. Used with measuring silicone, urethane, etc.

Tin Silicone

2010-05-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

Tin Silicones have a tin base. These are used for mold making primarily. They are not usually used for prosthetics as they leach the tin oil and make adhering to skin impossible. Some tin silicone set quicker than others or an additive can be mixed in that makes the silicone set up faster. The difference in set time is the amount of tin that is added to the base.
Not acceptable for making molds that are used in food preparation.

Translucent

2010-05-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Able to transmit light, as in translucent. Some products that are translucent are Powders, silicone and some pigments. These either have no color or very little so that you can see through them.

Turntable

2010-05-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Platform, generally round, made of wood or metal that turns as one sculpts clay or paints a finished piece.

Undercut

2010-05-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

An overhang or protrusion of a relatively smooth plane that hinders removal of the mold. Undercuts must be worked around when mold making and casting.

Urethane

2010-05-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

In the 'FX' Industry, Polyurethane, or Urethane come in 2 parts and make an economical rubber mold. Continuous inhalation can cause health risks. Always read the MSD sheets and use this product in well ventilated area.

Vacuum

2010-05-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

State resulting from the removal of air from rubber or clay before use to avoid air bubbles in the final piece. This gives your mold a longer life shelf and added strength. Also known as 'degassing'.

Viscosity

2010-05-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

The rate of flow at which a liquid follows a given path. For example: Silicone products may have different viscosity, some flow quicker than others.

Flow Chart & examples

Volume

2010-05-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

Amount of space occupied by a model measured in cubic units. To find the required amount of clay for a model, multiply the area's length times width times depth to get cubic inches; using the ratio: one cubic inch to one ounce of material, calculate the total number of ounces required to make the model. For example, if a cavity of mold is 5"X5"X5" (or 25 cubic inches), you will need 25 ounces of material to fill the cavity.

Online Volume Calculator