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Solid free-form fabrication of ceramics as a design aid for concept modelling

Huson, David

Authors

Profile image of David Huson

David Huson David.Huson@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor of Ceramics, 3D Technologies and Digital Fabrication



Contributors

Paul Benning
Editor

Scott Silence
Editor

Steven Simske
Editor

Werner Zapka
Editor

Abstract

Peer reviewed conference paper given at Digital Fabrication 2012/NIP28, 28th International Conference on Digital Printing Technologies, 3D Printing panel. David Huson and colleagues at the Centre for Fine Print Research at the University of the West of England are conducting a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to
continue their research into the 3D printing of ceramic materials. Many ceramic manufacturing companies use 3D CAD software and 3D printing technologies to produce design concept models for evaluation, although the value to the design process is limited due to the type of materials that can be printed, conventional modelling and processing methods still need to be used to achieve a design concept model in a real material. In the UK ceramic industry, one of the companies at the forefront of these developments is Denby Pottery, a leading tableware manufacturer; they use several Z Corporation printers in their design studio to aid in the development of new design concepts. They are extremely positive about these technologies and cite great advantages in terms of time, cost and design flexibility. Denby are seeking a concept model process that gives a prototype that looks and feels like the final product
and which can be fully tested for functionality glaze and decoration. In collaboration with Denby Pottery as the industrial partner the research project has refined and
enhanced the 3D ceramic printing process already developed at the University of the West of England, and has enabled the production of concept models of new design ideas in a real ceramic material, printed directly from CAD data, fired, glazed and decorated. Conventionally, highly vitrified thin section bodies such as stoneware, bone china and porcelain used in tableware require the use of profile setters during firing to maintain the integrity of the
shape. Profile setters are purpose built ceramic supports that have a similar expansion and contraction rate to the object they are supporting. An advantage of the 3D printing process is that it is possible to generate and print a custom shaped refractory profile setter within the 3D printer at the same time as printing the ceramic object. One of the aims of the project has been to investigate the potential of these ceramic firing supports and their advantages in the production of one-off ceramic design concept models.

Conference Name Digital Fabrication 2012/NIP28, 28th International Conference on Digital Printing Technologies
Start Date Sep 9, 2012
End Date Sep 13, 2012
Publication Date Jan 1, 2012
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Pages 332-335
Book Title NIP28/Digital Fabrication 2012 Technical Program and Proceedings
ISBN 9780892083022
Keywords ceramic, 3D print, rapid prototype, Denby, glaze, stoneware, porcelain, bone china
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/953728
Publisher URL http://www.imaging.org/ist/conferences/nip/


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