Integrated digital casting: a new method for simulating piece-mold techniques of ancient bronzes

Chinese ritual bronzes represent one of the pinnacles of technological and artistic achievement during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The methods used to study these artifacts are of critical importance to archeological and heritage research. The traditional piece-mold casting experiment used to create these bronzes faced significant challenges, including the absence of standardization, lengthy production cycles, and great technical difficulty. This study proposes an innovative simulation method that integrates digital modeling and 3D printing to address specific challenges in traditional piece-mold casting experiments. Using a Shang dynasty Ding (tripod pot) as a case study, the approach employs digital modeling and substitute materials to standardize mold design, enhance precision, and reduce production time from several weeks to under 40 h. Preserving technological features such as casting joints and mold marks, the method provides a reproducible heuristic framework for exploring hypotheses about ancient sectional mold design, craft education, and technical validation.