V.I.C.™ 12 Tabletop Perforated with The Assistant™ 705-118/14 Machine without The Assistant™ 705-118 220-volt model 705-118/220

Introduction Congratulations on your decision to buy the V.I.C.™ 12 vacu- Carefully read this handbook to learn the machine’s benefits um investing and casting machine.You will soon enjoy the before you begin operating it.Your V.I.C. 12 is built to last benefits of a complete vacuum casting and investing system and requires only minimal maintenance. Please follow the that offers the latest in technology and convenience. recommended maintenance procedures in this handbook to ensure optimum performance and service life. Vacuum casting is an efficient, flexible casting method, and the V.I.C. 12 allows you to cast small and large parts, easily interchanging flask sizes. Using the V.I.C. 12 is faster and safer than centrifugal casting and results in better control over your investing and casting processes.

7500 Bluewater Road NW • Albuquerque, NM 87121-1962 USA 1-800-545-6566 • FAX: 1-800-965-2329 • Local: 505-839-3300 International: 505-839-3011 • International FAX: 505-839-3016 ©2002 The Bell Group, Inc. All rights reserved. 705-118.QXD 1104LH Contents Shipping List ...... 2 Parts Diagram ...... 2 Features ...... 3 General Safety Precautions ...... 4 V.I.C. 12 Basic Installation/Setup ...... 5 Assembling The Assistant™ ...... 5 Installation/Setup ...... 6 Investing ...... 7 To ensure Flask Volume and Proportion Chart ...... 8 safe operation Casting Torch-Melted Metal ...... 9 and maximize Maintenance ...... 10 your benefit from Accessories and Replacement Parts ...... 11 this machine, Shipping List please read this • V.I.C. 12 casting machine with one side-draw bell jar entire • 6"-diameter, high-heat white silicon rubber casting pad manual before • Gum rubber investment pad • Perforated flask adapters and gaskets using your • Quart of vacuum pump oil V.I.C. 12™. • Installation and operation handbook • (optional) The Assistant™ crucible holder with a Rio #2 ceramic crucible and a paper crucible target • Conversion tabletop pad, casting plate and silicone rubber casting pad for regular flasks

Parts Diagram

The diagram above identifies component parts of your V.I.C. 12 machine by part number. If you have a question about a component or need to replace a part on your V.I.C. 12 machine, call Rio Grande at 800.545.6566. Give the customer service representative the stock number of your V.I.C. 12 machine (see front), followed by the part number you need.You’ll find a list of replacement parts and accessories on page 11. 2 4

The V.I.C.™ 12 is designed for safety and easy cleanup. Constructed of sturdy steel 2 with easy-access housing and a

1 side-draw bell 5 3 jar—unique to this machine— the first-quality Features 6 manufactured 1 Vibrating vacuum table helps eliminate components will air bubbles from the investment. 2 Side-draw bell jar holds more flasks, provide years protects the vacuum line from clogging if of reliable use. investment spills and protects pump from 7 investment debris. 3 Easy-to-use rocker switch controls. 4 The Assistant™ crucible holder (optional) accurately controls metal-pouring to make casting easier and safer. 8 5 Easy-to-read vacuum gauge. 6 Convenient access to flask blowout trap and in-line filter system simplifies cleaning and maintenance. 7 Easy-access oil sight gauge on vacuum 9 pump. 8 Oil drain port makes routine maintenance easy. 9 Maximum in-line filter protection from spilled metal and investment. 12 10 Powerful 5cfm vacuum pump (115V; 11 60Hz). 10 11 Easy-to-use top access oil fill port. 12 High-heat polyurethane hoses throughout the machine provide maximum protection from flask blowout damage.

3 General Safety Precautions molten metal. Investing and casting are processes that require forethought and precautions. Planning for • Never push on the top of the bell jar while every step of the investing and casting there is a vacuum inside.When a bell jar processes in your shop is a responsibility you breaks, it first implodes and then explodes, Your Rio Grande owe to yourself and your co-workers. Safety sending sharp pieces of plastic around the Tools & Equipment precautions and protective attire are a must room. for investing, melting and casting. To ensure a good seal, check to make sure catalog offers • Wear protective clothing and eyewear when the pad under the bell jar is clean and free the proper safety investing and casting. Proper safety precau- of dirt or debris, then gently press the rim of accessories— tions should always be taken. the bell jar securely against the rubber • Molten metal will cause severe burns and investing pad when vacuum is first applied. including can start fires. Make sure no flammable Safety Warning: Investment powder contains eyewear, gloves, materials are near the casting area. free silica. Inhaling silica is dangerous and may cause progressive, irreversible lung injury over aprons, masks, • Plan a place to put the hot flask after cast- ing where you nor anyone else can acciden- time. Always wear an appropriate respirator and respirators tally when investing and quenching flasks, and for investing, come in contact with it. Remember, flasks completely clean up investment from your with temperatures of several hundred work area.Wear an OSHA approved respirator metal-melting degrees look the same as cold flasks. during investing processes and work in a well- and casting, as • If you have a helper, plan the actions both ventilated space with a that pulls air away from you when handling investment powder. well as safety of you will take during your casting process before you begin. Never use a vacuum cleaner unless it is designed to pick up respirable silica (as small as equipment for • Keep close watch on the torch flame. It can 5 microns). your entire shop. burn something or someone from quite a distance.Take care not to melt your bell jar. If you do, replace it right away.The bell jar may not be safe if it has been cracked, scratched or damaged by a torch flame or

4 Basic Installation/Set-Up CAUTION: 1 Remove all shipping materials and place Do not operate the V.I.C. 12 on a sturdy work surface. vacuum pump 2 Tilt open the main cabinet. 3 Remove oil fill cap and fill the pump with until you have vacuum oil to the “full” mark on the oil sight added the gauge (about half-way up the glass).Your first pint of vacuum oil is included; reorder correct amount of Rio vacuum pump oil #706-020. CAUTION: Place V.I.C. 12 on a sturdy surface. pump oil. Do not overfill your pump with oil. An over- filled pump can result in oil being drawn into the pump lines. 4 Replace the oil fill cap. Close the main cabinet cover. 5 Plug your V.I.C. 12 casting machine into a grounded 115-volt AC outlet (or plug into a grounded 220-volt AC outlet if you’ve Fill pump to “full” mark on oil sight gauge. purchased a 220-volt machine) to operate.

Assembling The Assistant™ (optional feature) NOTE: Both the tabletop model and the perforated flask model of the V.I.C. 12 have predrilled holes Additional steps for mounting blocks to accommodate an are covered in the optional The Assistant™ crucible holder. If you 1 chose this option, assemble it at this time. general installa- To assemble: remove The Assistant from the tion/ package. setup 1 Attach mounting blocks on the side of the V.I.C.™ 12 with mounting screws. instructions on 2 Slide the rod down through the block on pages 6 and 7. the side of the V.I.C. 12 machine. 2 3 Adjust if necessary.The rod should move freely up and down. 4 Adjust the height of the crucible by loosen- ing the vertical adjusting knob and screw (on the side of the cabinet).Tighten all screws so the adjustment knob clamps and holds the rod in place. 3 Further instructions, specific to each model of the V.I.C. 12 casting machine, are found on the following pages.

5 Perforated Flask Model Installation/Setup

The V.I.C. 12 perforated flask model can be adapted for

tabletop 1 Select the proper gasket size for the 2 Insert an invested, cold perforated casting (see diameter of the perforated flask you flask into the chamber.The flask must wish to use (3", 31/2", 4" or 5"). Put the have the correct-diameter casting gas- below). gasket onto the metal collar of the ket to align correctly with The perforated flask casting chamber Assistant™ flange. crucible holder.

WARNING: 3 Move the horizontal arm until the 4 Adjust to the proper pour point by Always wear eye crucible is aligned in correct casting inserting a pencil or straw into the protection position. Loosen the knob on the spout of the crucible. Loosen the cru- vertical arm and position The cible guide toggle and slide the cru- when melting Assistant™ directly over the cible into position over the flask sprue hole in the flask.Tighten knobs. hole. metal. Molten metal emits strong infrared light waves that can cause eye damage. A tiny splash of 5 Check alignment for proper pour 6 After the correct position has been angle by tilting the crucible to a 90° determined, tighten the screw to molten metal angle.The pencil or straw should go ensure proper alignment for casting. can also cause into the sprue hole in the flask. severe eye dam- To adapt the Perforated Flask model for tabletop casting: A Insert the 5"-diameter age. adapter ring into the metal collar of the casting chamber. B Attach the metal Y-bracket (used for solid flask align- ment when using the tabletop option). Place 7 Remove the cold flask from inside the the white silicone casting casting chamber. pad (not shown) on the metal tabletop surface over the adapter ring. Follow steps 1–6 on this page for tabletop casting. 6 Investing 2 Colder mix water temperature will increase Please Note: working time; warmer-temperature water CAUTION: Always test the vacuum seal between It is important the bell jar and gum rubber pad before starting will shorten working time. For best results, to mix investment. Never push down on the top adjust water temperature to 75–80°F that you read (24–29°C). of the bell jar during vacuuming—this can the safety cause the bell jar to break or implode.To test 3 Dipping the wax trees into a suitable precautions the vacuum, make sure the rim of the bell jar debubblizer solution or using a spray-on and investing pad are smooth and free from debubblizer will greatly reduce air bubbles on page 4 particles or dirt. Moisten rim of the bell jar with on and promote better adhesion of the investment to the wax surface. before you a clean sponge. Place the bell jar on the vac This procedure should be done approxi- uum table with the rubber pad. If needed, apply begin casting. mately 30 minutes prior to investing. slight pressure only around the rim of the bell jar—never apply pressure on the top! 4 Place the pre-measured water into your mixing bowl and add pre-weighed invest- Preparing to Invest ment. Prepare the flasks to be invested. 5 Hand-mix until the powder is completely On solid flasks, use Wax Web™ for wetted. If you are using a mechanical mixer, consistent castings (available mix on low speed for one minute. Continue through your Rio Grande Tools & mixing for two minutes on a medium Equipment catalog). Please Note: speed. CAUTION: use Wax Web on solid flasks ONLY. 6 When mixing is complete, place the bowl Perforated flasks do not require Wax Web. of investment on the investing platform. Keep all 1 For solid flasks, roll the Wax Web into a Position the bell jar squarely over the bowl, investment- cylinder, and position it flush with the top of move toggle switch to the Invest position, the solid flask.The Wax Web should extend and turn the power on. mixing tools clean no more than 70% or 80% down the inside 7 Vacuum investment until proper vacuum is and free from of the flask. achieved (when the investment rises to a 2 Secure the Wax Web to the solid flask with boil and collapses, continue to vacuum for hardened invest- bobby pins, or melt it at several points one additional minute).This operation ment. Hardened with a heated wax tool. Remove the bobby should take 90 seconds. Release the investment from a pins when investment is setting up. vacuum by turning off the vacuum 3 As you build your sprue tree, always allow pump switch. Consult your investment previous batch instructions for specific working times. Most at least 1/2" between the top of the wax can change the patterns and the top level of investment in gypsum-bonded jewelry investments allow the flask (more for large or heavy items). 9 minutes for the full investing process. setting time of 8 Pour the investment along the inside of the Please Note: Because a 1/8" gap is always left the current batch, flask, allowing it to flow up, around and over between the investment level and the top of a the patterns, leaving a minimum of 3/8" causing the solid flask, the top of your sprue tree should space at the sides of the patterns and 1/2" to never be closer than 5/8" to the top of your solid investment to 3/4" at the top and bottom. flask. Always leave yourself at least 1/2" between 9 Place the flask under vacuum and de-air for cure the top of your perforated flask and the last 11/2 to 2 minutes. wax pattern—this precaution, and tightly con- improperly. trolled investing procedures, will help prevent 10 Top off the flask with the appropriate flask blowouts. See your Tools & Equipment investment quantity. catalog for information. 11 Allow the invested flasks to sit undisturbed 1 Investing with the V.I.C. 12 for a minimum of 1 /2 to 2 hours. 12 Carefully remove the sprue base (Neusprue 1 Weigh the investment powder and measure system lets you remove the sprue base the mix water at a ratio of 38, 39, or 40 (see without stressing the investment). page 8).This equates to 38 to 40 parts water 13 Place into a pre-heated burnout oven, sprue per 100 parts powder by weight (38 to 40ml button end down. water per 100g investment, for example). continued, next page 7 Water to Investment Ratio (40:100 in grams)

Flask Height Flask Diameter in Inches in Inches 31/2"4" 5" 6" Water Investment Water Investment Water Investment Water Investment 4" 318 795 420 1051 648 1619 932 2330 5" 398 994 526 1314 810 2024 1165 2913 6" 477 1193 631 1577 971 2429 1398 3495 7" 557 1391 7357 1839 1133 2833 1631 4078 8" 636 1590 841 2102 1295 3238 1864 4660 Please Note: 9" 716 1789 946 2365 1457 3643 2097 5243 10" 795 1988 1051 2628 1619 4048 2330 5825 To determine the pounds of Water to Powder Ratios investment Heavy Castings Medium Castings Fine Castings 38/100 39/100 40/100 needed to fill a Volume of Water Volume of Water Volume of Water fl. oz. ml. fl. oz. ml. fl. oz. ml. POUNDS POWDER particular flask, GRAMS POWDER water water water water water water 1 454 6 172 6 177 6 181 divide the cubic 2 907 12 345 12 345 12 363 3 1361 17 517 18 531 18 544 4 1814 23 689 24 708 25 726 inch content of 5 2268 29 862 30 885 31 907 6 2722 35 1034 36 1061 37 1089 the flask by 20. 7 3176 41 1207 42 1238 43 1270 8 3629 47 1379 48 1415 49 1452 To determine 9 4082 52 1551 54 1592 55 1633 10 4536 58 1724 60 1769 61 1814 flask content in 11 4990 64 1896 66 1946 67 1996 12 5443 70 2068 72 2123 74 2177 13 5897 76 2241 78 2300 80 2359 cubic inches: 14 6350 82 2413 84 2477 86 2540 15 6804 87 2586 90 2664 92 2722 Round flask = 16 7258 93 2758 96 2830 98 2903 17 7711 99 2930 102 3007 104 3084 .7854 x height x 18 8165 106 3103 108 3184 110 3266 19 8618 111 3275 114 3361 117 3447 diameter2. 20 9072 117 3447 120 3538 123 3629 21 9526 122 3620 126 3715 129 3810 flask = 22 9979 128 3792 132 3892 135 3992 23 10433 134 3964 138 4069 141 4173 24 10866 140 4137 144 4246 147 4355 width x length x 25 11340 146 4309 150 4423 153 4536 height.

Investing Steps, continued the water and any foamy oil from the pump 14 Follow burnout cycle. and add new oil to the full mark on the sight PLEASE NOTE: The vacuum gauge should indi- gauge before running the pump.To do this, cate full vacuum in less than one minute. position the V.I.C. 12 on the edge of the work Investment in the bowl will crest at this time table. Lift the cover to expose the pump. Open and begin to release air bubbles and the sur- the drain valve and drain until clear oil starts to face will break.The precise mercury reading run out. Close the spout and check the oil level; indicating full vacuum depends on your alti- refill if needed to the full mark. tude. At sea level, full vacuum occurs at 29" of WARNING: Investment powder contains free mercury.The gauge registers approximately silica. Inhaling silica is dangerous and may cause 0.9" less mercury for each 1000 feet of altitude. progressive, irreversible lung injury. Always wear For example, full vacuum is approximately 24.5" an OSHA approved respirator during the invest- of mercury at 5000 feet above sea level. ing process, and clean up investment complete- Please Note: After investing several flasks, it is ly from your work area. Use a well-ventilated normal for some moisture from the investment space with a draft pulling air away from you to collect in the vacuum pump oil. Overnight, when handling investment powder. Never use a the moisture will separate from the oil and set- vacuum cleaner unless it is designed to pick up tle in the bottom of the pump. Each day, drain respirable silica (< 5 microns). 8 Casting Torch-Melted Metal ment, pickle residue and moisture). Please Note: Before Casting: The top edge of the flask 3 Place the proper amount of metal in the It is important should be clean and free from investment to preheated crucible for the pattern or pat- allow for a proper seal against the casting pad terns invested in the mold (wax weight x that you read and to prevent loose investment from being 11.4 + 15 grams* for silver; wax weight x 14 the safety pulled into the pump.To protect the bell jar, + 15 grams* for 14K gold). precautions on place it on the bell jar stand away from the *This is your button weight. If you are using casting area. NeuSprue™ system, your button is already page 4 before you For casting solid flasks, place the white casting included in your wax weight and does not begin pad on the casting table plate. Both should be need to be added in again. free from dirt and investment. Align the pad 4 Remove the mold from oven and place it on casting. with the hole in the center of the table. the casting pad (or perforated flask cham- For casting perforated flasks, choose the ber) of the casting machine with sprue appropirate diameter flask gasket and place on opening up.Turn the pump on to test for a the casting chamber flange.The gasket should good vacuum seal between the gasket and match the diameter of the perforated flask. the flask, then release the vacuum and turn Important Notes: When casting, be organized. the pump off. If a good vacuum is Have your tools in place and ready to use. Plan not achieved, check to ensure that in advance the exact sequence of events the rim of the flask is clean and necessary to complete casting successfully, and free from investment debris. make sure you have everything you need. Be 5 With a good reducing flame sure to cast each flask as quickly as possible (more gas than oxygen in the after removing it from the oven to prevent mix), heat the metal. Use a flame unnecessary heat loss. large enough that it will cover the Once the metal heating starts, do not remove whole melt. the torch from the melt for any reason. If 6 When the metal starts to melt, turn exposed to air, hot or molten metal will readily on the vacuum pump and switch oxidize (bond with oxygen from the atmos- to the cast position. phere). Once the metal alloy has taken on oxy- 7 Check the vacuum gauge to make sure the gen molecules, copper and/or zinc oxides are vacuum has resealed. formed, which have a very different composi- 8 Bring the metal to the desired casting tion and appearance than original casting alloy. temperature and stir it with a carbon stir- We know these oxides as firescale.To minimize ring rod through the flame of the torch. firescale on your cast models, keep the flame 9 Use the torch to cover both the melt and constantly on the molten metal, even as it is the pour hole in the crucible.Tip the cru- poured into the flask. Stir the melt with a cible to pour the metal smoothly into the carbon stirring rod before casting. Use the sprue opening of the mold. flame to protect the metal from oxidizing as 10 Play the torch flame on the end of sprue it is poured into the flask. button until the button solidifies. Casting Steps 11 Maintain a vacuum on the flask for 30–45 1 To season a new crucible, place a small seconds while the metal in the flask solidi- amount of Matt’s Casting Flux™ in a clean fies. crucible, adjusted as covered in the SETUP section on page 6. Heat flux to form a thin 12 Release the vacuum by turning off the glassy glaze inside the crucible. Repeat for vacuum pump switch, then remove the each use, using a small quantity of Matt’s flask. casting flux.Too much will cause an exces- 13 Let the flask stand on a heat-resistant sive glassy slag buildup in the crucible. surface until the red color is completely 2 Make sure that any remelt metal used is gone from the button (you can use an very clean and dry (free of oxides, invest- continued, next page 9 CAUTION: Casting Steps, continued 3 Place a pint-size or larger container under empty solid flask on the end of the mold the machine to catch the drained oil Do not leave flask to create a dark enclosure above the (3-foot hose at the bottom of the pump). flasks to cool on sprue button for viewing). Sterling, yellow 4 Open the drain valve. the casting table. gold and green gold can be quenched as 5 After the oil has drained, close the valve. soon as the red color is gone from the but- 6 Refill machine with fresh vacuum oil This will cause ton.White and red gold should stand for an through the oil fill port on the pump. (Order additional 15 minutes before quenching. undue wear on Rio vacuum pump oil, #706-020.) Check that WARNING: Always wear appropriate safety the silicon the oil level reaches the FULL mark on the glasses to protect your eyes during any sight glass. Please Note: Do not overfill the casting pad. metal melting and casting process. Always pump. wear an appropriate respirator and have 7 Dispose of used oil properly at an oil adequate ventilation when quenching a recycler. mold. Quickly place the whole mold under To Periodically water until the investment cools and is Flush the Pump eliminated. Investment powder in the steam 1 Drain the oil. at the water’s surface will become airborne if the mold is held partly out of the water. 2 Fill the machine 2/3 Oil Drain Airborne silica in investment powder can full with flushing oil cause silicosis of the lungs. Call Rio Grande (order #706-021). at 800.545.6566 and ask for a free MSDS 3 Turn machine on and allow it to run 3–4 about investment. minutes to flush the 14 When using the solid flask casting table, system. remove the screen over the vacuum port 4 Drain flushing oil completely. Please Note: and clean out any investment and debris. Do not cast or invest while your machine is Please Note: Replacement table screens are available if filled with flushing oil; your machine will be needed (order #705-168). irreparably damaged. Do not attempt 5 Refill with Rio vacuum pump oil to invest or cast Maintenance (order # 706-020). with your Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the 6 Dispose of used oil properly at an oil best performance and longest service life from recycler. machine while it’s your vacuum pump. After prolonged use, the filled with flush- vacuum pump oil will become dirty and begin Cleaning the ing oil. Flushing to break down.This will affect its vacuum per- Vacuum Chamber formance.The recommended time for replacing Periodically (and espe- oil is too light- vacuum pump oil is every 30 hours of use. For cially after a flask weight for cast- longer pump life, we also recommend flushing blowout), clean the accu- your vacuum pump with flushing oil at every oil mulated investment and ing; it is used only change.This process flushes dirt out of your metal from the bottom for cleaning. pump and keeps it running cleaner to give of the vacuum chamber. you more reliable performance. 1 Remove all casting Vacuum Chamber Changing the Oil gasket rings from the 1 Pull the V.I.C. 12 top of the chamber. machine toward the 2 Lift up to open the front of the machine table edge. to access the bottom of the vacuum 2 Open the front of the chamber (see the “Features” section V.I.C. 12 to expose the at the front of this manual). Oil Fill Port vacuum pump.

10 3 Remove the adjustable clamp band from 4 Make sure that the fiber insulation pad is in the black rubber cap at the bottom of the place at the bottom of the cap. Reposition vacuum chamber. In the cap or immediately the cap at the bottom of the vacuum cham- inside the vacuum chamber, you’ll find a ber and retighten the clamp band to secure soft ceramic-like fiber insulation material. If the assembly. the ceramic fiber pad is damaged, replace it. If not, remove debris and re-install it back into the cap.

11 Accessories

Description Packaging Size Order #

Carbon Stirring Rods pkg/5 705-120 Crucibles each 704-046, 704-048, 704-049 See your Rio Grande Solid Flasks each 702-015/14 to 702-018/14; Tools & Equipment 702-022/14 to 702-025/14; 702-029/14 to 702-035/14; catalog for more 702-039/14 to 702-044/14 information and Stainless Steel Perforated Flasks each 702-184/N to 702-209/N pricing on these Flask Extenders for solid flasks pkg/3 702-330 to 702-334 supplies.Your Flask Tongs each 704-026 catalog includes Investment, Caster's Choice™ each 702-255/5, 702-255/10, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-lb. boxes 705-255/25, 702-255/50, 702-255

a handy order Matt’s Casting Flux™; 1 lb., 2 lb. each 704-115, 704-099 number index Measuring Cylinders;1000cc, 3000cc each 702-113, 702-114 that provides a Mixing Bowls; quart or gallon size each 702-131, 702-132 page number Mixing Spatula; 6" each 702-141 reference for each Non-Asbestos Gloves;14" or 18" pair 704-104, 704-105 order number. Rubber Gloves pair 113-681 NeuSprue™ Sprue Bases each 702-907 to 702-914 NeuSprue™ pkg/30 or 100 710-896/30 to 710-899/30 710-896 to 710-899 Slim NeuSprue™ pkg/30 or 100 710-980/30 to 710-983/30 710-980 to 710-983

Replacement Parts

Description Packaging Size Order #

Bell Jar, side-draw, 12" each 702-156 High-Heat Fiber, 5" diameter pkg/10 705-059 In-line Filter pkg/3 705-169 Rio Flushing Oil; one quart each 706-017 Rio Vacuum Pump Oil; one gallon each 706-020 Rubber Boot, 5" diameter each 705-064 Rubber Casting Pad, 6" diameter each 705-163 Rubber Flask Flange Seal; each 705-164/3; 705-164/3.5; 3", 31/2", 4", 5" 705-164/4; 705-164/5 Table Filter Screen pkg/10 705-168

Vacuum Pad for Investing, 1/4" thick each 702-171

12