3D print
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The printer
The 3D printer is based on a delta printer design by Jonathan Keep. I have designed my own extruder to force soft clay out of a syringe and through a fine nozzle. The position of the print head is controlled by three motors which move according to the G-Code instructions for the design.
The delta printer showing the central syringe assembly and its supporting control rods. These are linked to three toothed drive belts, each controlled by a motor.
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The clay
Getting the clay mix right is crucial – it must be the right consistency without either lumps or air bubbles. I mix potters' clay with water and other additives, knead it by hand and push it into the syringes.
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The print
It takes a force of about 200 pounds to extrude the clay from the nozzle. The combination of clay consistency, clay flow, print speed, layer height and nozzle size determine the thickness, surface finish (and survival) of the printed pot.