Getting the tool paths for the flat base was tricky – ideally, the extruder needs to cover the entire area of each solid layer exactly once, since crossing existing paths results in too much clay extrusion, leading to bumps and globs and other unpleasantness.
Many, many thanks to @Joseph_Oster and @RadovanG, whose insights and code samples in this thread were invaluable in finding a good solution:
…it’s a little hard to see there, but that’s four layers if of infill at alternating 90 degree angles, which is critical to having a strong piece that won’t crack when drying or firing.
Beautiful. Can the process be adapted for printing structures? On the moon?
I re-attached cooling fins in an RV refrigerator recently with Loctite PL Premium Construction Adhesive, which is AMAZING stuff and might work well printed? Works fine frozen. Apparently sets faster with a light mist of water applied.
The print-to-spec market seems very ripe for extensive development and common use.
Sure, the process can print structures. In fact the company that makes my clay printer did a building using a scaled up version of this printer, and some clever software to print with two arms.
On the moon? Don’t see why not - the extrusion relies on pressurizing a tank of clay-like material and an auger to meter the amount deposited, seems like that should work. I’d be happy to try if someone will buy me a ticket
As for construction adhesive… it’s interesting. There are cool things being done in resin printing and in glass printing. Main issue I’d see with adhesive would be the materials and path to deposit it without ending up with the printer gummed up. Maybe?
I’m not sure if there are services that let you print on clay printers. This one I bought as part of a rabbit hole into 3D printing and ceramics. After printing, the clay is fired and glazed traditionally, in a ceramics kiln.
Really, super nice. Great way to start the day. You mention “very pure porcelain” ; quite interesting. For self evident reasons one could not throw this on a wheel, but within that context, the porcelain I would use is anything but “pure porcelain” to throw with. Rather, I would add some nutrients into the bag of clay to promote bacterial growth and then let that clay “age” as long as possible before using it. Lots going on at this point, that I do not know allot about technically, but in general terms the bacteria would “work” the clay and this in conjunction with the bacteria would add both strength and flexibility to the clay as porcelain is a challenge to throw with, as it is, some say “like trowing with cream cheese”. Thus I am quite interested to learn the dimensions of this piece.
[p.s. This “aging” process is the best I could do to simulate what potters have done where they would let clay “age” for many, many decades. It was clay that their children would use.]
