The is no point in continuing to consider ceramic 3D printing if our life, or organizational, situation cannot implement every aspect of the workflow required to successfully integrate ceramics 3D printing into our goals.
This is probably not a complete description of the final workflow demanded of a user of a ceramic 3D printer. But, it will give us a good start at trying to determine how well we might be able to fulfill the basic requirements.
- 3D Design for Ceramics
- Clay Selection & Procurement
- Clay Preparation
- 3D Printing Process
- Cleanup
- Post-Printing Processing
- Firing
- Marketing (if applicable)
- Anticipate Scalability
Obviously, this is a simplistic list of the elements of the workflow. But, it is a good start for taking a realistic look at our ability to truly implement ceramic 3D printing into our 3D printing goals for those we serve.
Workflow Requirement #1: 3D Design for Ceramics
Even the most talented traditional clay artist would fail to benefit from 3D printing if they could not find a way to create the virtual files from which to print. Fortunately, for us, we have found that our students enjoy using Moments of Inspiration to print with our traditional 3D printers, so at a bare minimum, we are confident that we can successfully meet the needs of this requirement.
But, it gets better than that. Quoting from the Eazao Blog:
"The major upgrade of the Eazao 3D printer this time is the software part. We cooperated with the Shandong University IRC Laboratory to develop a series of software specifically for ceramic 3D printing, which will greatly enhance the experience of Eazao 3D printers and lower the entry barrier.
The software will be released for free in the near future. The software is in the stage of intensive improvement. We integrate modeling and slicing together to achieve a seamless connection between design and manufacturing. It is currently divided into the following four sections: sweeping modeling, lofting modeling, rotation modeling, and texture mapping. At the same time, we also developed an interactive modeling tool based on leapmotion."
The development version of this software is available for free download at Clayontec.com. I have downloaded the software and, while it is not yet complete, I am convinced that ANYONE will be able to use this software to design almost unlimited designs suitable for meeting this requirement. It's remarkable software that produces very complex designs with very simple controls. Equally importantly, it can even be used to add material qualities to designs our students have created in MOI3D or any other CAD/3D Design program.
In the past, the question about whether or not an individual might have the skills to design clay vessels for a 3D printing was probably the biggest barrier to adoption of 3D ceramic printing. But, thankfully, Clayon goes a LONG way to make this particular question almost moot.
Workflow Requirement #1: Clay Selection & Procurement
Not every clay will work well in a 3D printer. Before buying the printer it is important that we ensure we have the information we need to select the proper clay for our 3D printing needs. We are fortunate that Manassas Clay is nearby and we enjoyed working with them when we explored powder-binder ceramic printing.
For those not having a great resource like this locally, the good news is that ceramics 3D printing is not a new technology, even if consumer desktop ceramic 3D printing is new. There are many articles by skilled 3D ceramic printer users that clearly spell out the kinds of clay appropriate for 3D printers. We will cover this topic extensively in the future.
Workflow Requirement #2: Clay Preparation & Environment
This is one of the most serious questions we need to ask ourselves before fully committing to incorporate ceramics into our 3D printing environment. The first step is to admit the challenges. The next step is to ensure we have come up with effect ways to meet those challenges.
There are videos and articles that can help us understand the clay preparation process. So, that does not concern us.
The real issue has to do with effects of introducing clay, itself, into our environment. Let's face it. Clay can be messy.
Part of our responsibility is to ensure that we have planned the processes to minimize negative aspects of using clay. This includes identifying equipment to keep the area clean and safe. We're ahead of the game in this regard because we already had to deal with the impact of using fine clay powders, which are far more potentially harmful than working with moist clay. We found many ways to use our regular 3D printers to create tools to help us keep our space as clean as possible.
Notice that I emphasized the word "fully" above. Some of our mitigation strategies might require obtaining a single printer for testing before we can fully understand what it will take to introduce it as an essential element of our program.
Workflow Requirement #3: 3D Printing Process
What is required for feeling confident with this step is going to be quite different from person to person.
We know that printing with ceramics, while similar to that of printing with plastic will have its own unique requirements. But, we not only have FDM printing experience; but, powder-binder and SLA technologies as well. Each of these have their own challenges and learning curves. But, we have always treated our learning space as a LAB. For this reason, we're confident that not only can we learn to use the ceramic 3D printer; but, thrive with using it.
For those with NO 3D printing experience, the Clayon software, mentioned earlier, combines both design and preparation of the files used by the printer. It even has a special functionality where it will test a design and report the likelihood of printing success.
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| Clayon Evaluation Report |
This makes it significantly more likely that even a novice can find success with their desktop 3D printer. I might also add, that I have found that Eazao's support team has responded to all of my questions in a timely manner. Help is also available on their Facebook group.
Support has to be factored into determining if one can be successful with this aspect of using a desktop 3D ceramic printer.
Workflow Requirement #4: Printer Cleanup
One of the major differences between traditional 3D printers and a ceramic 3D printer is the absolute necessity of disassembling and cleaning parts as necessary to remove the potential negative affects of clay hardening. "Due Diligence" demands we consider this aspect of using s ceramic 3D printer in our environment.
TIME is one of the factors we need to address. Who will be expected to perform the cleaning is another. Actually, in a educational setting, they are related. The class period for a person starting a print may end before the print is completed. We will need to come up with workable policies before 'fully' integrating ceramics 3D printing.
Even in a home setting, it would be wise to ensure that just as much importance is placed on cleaning the printer as using it.
Workflow Requirement #5: Post-Printing Processing
When we finish a print with a traditional 3D printer we can usually get by with no significant post-processing. But, every printing attempt with ceramics will require some form of post-processing. This is true even of failed prints where it should be handled in a way that allows it to be recycled.
Without going into detail, post-processing involves a series of steps leading to final firing. These include, drying, low-firing, decorating and hand shaping. It's the place where the magic happens that can fulfill the need for hands-on creating that traditional clay artists cherish.
For us, it is also a place where those who face challenges in using 3D design software can be included in the creative process. Planning for this step in the workflow is a critical part of the "Due Diligence" required to get the most out of the ceramic 3D printing experience for participants of our program.
Workflow Requirement #6: Firing
We face a significant hurdle here.
There are reasons why a traditional clay kiln my not be permitted on our site. For others, the challenge may be the cost of a traditional kiln.
Fortunately, I have a kiln, at home, large enough to fulfill the requirements of firing in batches as we get started. And, the printed objects using a desktop ceramic printer can be dried enough to survive travel. (That was NOT the case of powder-binder prints!) But, to ensure continuity we will need to make long-term arrangements with an outside provider of kiln services.
While it limits the sizes of the objects our students might produce there is another option provided by Eazao and others.
That is a Microwave Kiln. The viability of using a Microwave Kiln can be tested independently, even before buying a desktop 3D printer.
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| Microwave Kiln |
For home users, in particular, a Microwave Kiln allows them to get started with ceramic 3D printing without having to make a large investment in a traditional kiln.
Workflow Requirement #7: Marketing (if applicable)
For some, whether or not there is a market for what they produce is irrelevant. But, for us, it is an important consideration.
If there is potential that some of the at-risk individuals in our program may be able to develop their ceramic design and printing skills to the point of being self sufficient then we would be remiss in not providing training for them if at all possible.
The bad news about the parts produced by consumer 3D printers is that they lack perceived value. Parts produced on industrial quality printers are usually limited to the industrial marketplace and those markets are narrow and specialized. It is hard to learn those markets.
Ceramic 3D prints have a much higher perceived value by many orders of magnitude.
The possibility that one can discover a market for 3D printed ceramic parts they design has real potential. So, from the potential alone, ceramic 3D printing deserves serious consideration. But, marketing success does not just happen. It will take as much 'due diligence' effort as any of the other aspects when evaluating whether or not ceramics 3D printing can meet the ultimate goals and aspirations of our program.
Workflow Requirement #8: Anticipate Scalability
Our initial consideration concerns a small desktop ceramic 3D printer. This is perfect for exploring the potential of 3D printing in ceramic materials. But, ultimately we need to fully consider the scalability options should we need to expand. This is more than just thinking about bigger printers. It also has to do with the scalability of the skills learned while working with an entry level ceramic printer. The include design skills that might be expanded and hands-on skills related to the workflow involved with the entire clay creation process. Do the peripheral skills gained by working with ceramics enhance the future opportunities for users. For instance, our organization also has a home building vocational initiative. How might working at the entry level in 3D ceramic design relate to the future of 3D home building technologies?
Adding scalability to the evaluation might end up adding some elements to the workflow, like airbrushing, creating multi-object installations or incorporating into home building. So, it is important to begin with scalability in mind.
SUMMARY
Whether it be an individual or an organization, successful implementation of Ceramic 3D printing depends on being willing to ask serious questions that take into account the entirety of the ceramic workflow. Fortunately, Eazao has made some significant moves beyond simply creating and building a piece of hardware. Those moves, like the creation of Clayon, go a long way to make positive answers to the questions possible for the widest community of potential users.
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