First 3D Printed Ceramic Object Has Arrived

In order to take the first step in exploring 3D printing objects in ceramics, I used Kwambio's print-on-demand with a simple original design simply to get an idea, in person, how the final product looks.

It has arrived.

Since Kwambio is located in the Ukraine and ALL ceramic objects go through a multi-step process over a few days, there was a little time between ordering a receiving the print.

Kwambio's help started even before design began with their printing guide.  This provided me with the optimal wall thickness and the importance of as much uniformity as possible for a first print.  After they received the design, Kwambio's design team checked the design and smoothed out some sharp angles where two features joined then sent me the corrected design to approve.

After approval, I was given a tentative schedule.  Without going back through multiple communications to be certain, I actually believe that they beat their tentative schedule.  It certainly was not a painful wait.

As I have previously stated, I am NOT an artist.  But, I am proficient in Moment of Inspiration and was able to come up with a design of a small planter with an internal feature that is typical of what can be done best with a powder-based 3D printer.

The design was meant to be a bit pedestrian.   So, my analysis of the results are aimed solely at the character of the materials and the finish of the print.

Simply put... The results are stunning.

Kwambio Ceramic Powder/binder Print

Kwambio uses a powder/binder print process in equipment they have designed themselves.  At YouthQuest, we have a similar type printer called the Z450.  The primary difference is in the available materials.  The Z450 relies on gypson for the powder and the equivalent of Crazy Glue for the binder.  The parts are in full CMY color; but, they cannot be fired and only a coat of epoxy glue can make them even come close to durable.  On the other hand, the Kwambio one of the materials the Kwambio Ceramo series printers uses is ceramics and they CAN be fired which means there is agood likelihood they will still be around in 1000 or more years!

In addition to being able to be fired, Kwambio ceramic parts can be glazed as in the above sample.  The final result is a durability, look and feel of standard traditional pottery.  Clay is clay no matter how the part originated.

While powder/binder is not the only technology for 3D printing ceramics, based on our experience with the Z450. it should be the most reliable way to do so.  We expect that we will also use one or more SLA or DLP printers in some specialized ceramic applications.  But, for daily high volume production work, powder/binder is going to be our first choice.

Hopefully, the Kwambio Ceramo Zero Max will be released in the nexttwo or three months so we can find out!