Game Changer - The New Eazao Zero Ceramic 3D Printer

 If one takes the time to look through all of the posts in this blog, I have explored several different technologies promising to enable the at-risk young at-risk people with whom I work to 3D print in ceramics with the ultimate goal of being able to support themselves.

Sadly, thus far, none of the technologies we studied has brought us closer to that goal.

All this time, and in truth, since the time I obtained my very first 3D printer, there has existed another type of ceramic printer that has been conspicuously missing from this blog.  And, that is clay extrusion.

Why I have avoided Clay Extrusion in the Past

Before going further, I need to explain why a person professing an interest in 3D ceramic printing would avoid THE most common methodology of printing ceramics in 3D.   The answer lies not in the technology itself; but, the target audience I hope to reach.

The early kits, based on modifying existing 3D printers, required a commitment to tinkering and a level of technological skill that didn't suit the user I have in mind.  The next generation of dedicated ceramic printers tended to be large, complex and costly enough that only experienced ceramic artists or universities could afford.  Again, those that I hope to help have more limited means and space.  Until now, I didn't see a fit between those I want to help and the existing extrusion ceramic printers.

The Parallel in my Search for a Standard FDM 3D Printer

I started blogging about 3D printing in 2007.  But, until 2012 my articles were only exploratory.  The 3D printers before 2012 were largely aimed at tinkerers and hobbyists.  It wasn't until 3D Systems announced the first 3D printer specifically aimed at consumers that I found a printer that I thought matched the audience in whom I was interested.  It was compact, simple to operate and required no construction on the part of the owner.

I dove deeply into helping Cube users get the most out of their investment with the CubifyFans Blog.

In the first 5 months (beginning in January 2012) of my blog I could only write articles preparing potential users for its public release.  It wasn't until May of 2012 that the Cube 1st Generation was released.  

 

1st Generation Cube 3D Printer

From that time until the present, I was able to effectively serve an active community of users of 3 generations of Cube 3D printers by finding ways to get around issues and providing free tricks and designs of tools that enhanced their experience.  While most Cube owners have gone on to purchase newer and more advanced 3D printers, the Cube was an excellent introduction to a lot of people to the benefits of 3D printing and the blog continues to have followers.  And it was able to do so by reaching a consumer base rather than a technical or tinkerer base.

From that time forward I have watched the consumer market for 3D printers blossom and mature.  So, how does this relate to ceramics 3D printing?

Recently, I learned about a small 3D ceramic printer that may be the parallel answer for ceramic 3D printing that I have been searching for the last two decades.  I can't be absolutely sure, since the first units are just being delivered to Kickstarter supporters.  But, it does look promising.  Here is why I think that.

EAZAO ZERO CERAMIC 3D PRINTER - COMPACT AND SIMPLE

The first thing that jumped out at me was the compact size of the Eazao Zero.  The basic construction of the 3D printer platform is a tried and true form factor familiar to many first time consumer 3D printer users. 

Eazao Zero Ceramic 3D Printer

The small footprint perfectly fits the needs of those with limited space and fits well in an educational classroom environment. The 1.4mm nozzle diameter size and 0.4 -1mm layer depth was a very pleasant surprise.   Lest some might consider the 150 x 150 x 240 mm build area limited, I have to say it is one of the things that appeals to me most!  I can easily visualize a lot of beautiful ceramic objects that could be printed in that 5.9" x 5.9" x 9.4" envelope.

EAZAO ZERO CERAMIC 3D PRINTER - HISTORY

The Eazao Zero is the 2nd generation ceramic 3D printer from Cerambot, a company that released its first ceramic delta printers in 2019 through a Kickstarter campaign.  They know ceramic extrusion printing.  The fact that, in spite of the current supply chain challenges, the Eazao is in the hands of some supporters is a great sign.

Cerambot Team

EASAO ZERO CERAMIC 3D PRINTER - COMMUNITY FRIENDLY

The price point of is well below the $3K cost of previously released ceramic printers.   Based on the success of their Kickstarter campaign, with approximately 500 units funded, provides a solid foundation for building a community of users that can be a great source of help to each other.  Unlike those relying on DIY built printers, every one of these users will be sharing experiences with the same equipment platform.  This has tremendous benefits as my CubifyFans experience can attest.  What works for one user is likely to work for all users when it comes to clay preparation and slicer settings.  That fact, alone, is worthy of calling the Eazao Zero a real game changer.

EASAO ZERO CERAMIC 3D PRINTER - THE BREAKTROUGH PRODUCT?

A breakthrough product is one that so significantly addresses the needs of an under served market that it virtually launches that product category to new levels of acceptance. The Spreadsheet did that for computers.  MP4 compression did that for video recording.  for more than 20 years, I have mourned the fact that the benefits of 3D printing has failed to reach the market penetration that it deserves in the ceramics community.  

I think the Eazao team just might have found the right combination of compactness, ease of use, simplicity and uniformity of operation that has the potential to introduce 3D printing to a vastly larger community of users.

I look forward to following their progress.  Nice job!

https://www.eazao.com/

https://www.facebook.com/eazao/