3D printing in clay is not a new process, but it has never been done quite like this. English artist Jonathan Keep custom built and modified a delta style 3D printer to extrude clay and created a stunning series of 3D printed artwork and vases.
If there is one thing that writing about 3D printing has taught me, it’s that putting technology into the hands of an artist is always going to produce interesting things. The stunning 3D printed ceramic vases and art pieces created by Keep are no exception.
“From the elemental forces of earth, fire and water pottery has traditionally drawn on nature for inspiration. In using computer code to create this work I aim to add a further layer to include the elemental, natural mathematical patterns and structures that underlie all form,” said Keep of his artwork.
He built a standard delta style 3D printer with a handful of modifications that would allow it to 3D print using clay, rather than plastic filament. In order for the clay to stick to the print bed, he uses a piece of damp wood, rather than the traditional glass or metal print bed. Here’s a video of Keep building his ceramic 3D printer:
His 3D printer uses standard, watered-down clay that is packed into an extruder made from an empty cartridge for what is usually meant for dispensing adhesives. The clay is extruded with carefully controlled compressed air. Depending on how fine a nozzle he has fitted to the extruder, the size of the object that he’s printing or the texture that he’s looking for, Keep changes the level of compressed air pushing through the machine. Then, with a hand held hair dryer, Keep ensures that his clay sets, without falling over or becoming misshapen during the printing process.
Once his clay print is completed, he simply glazes and fires it in the same manner as one would with traditional clay pottery, but his stunning shapes are anything but traditional. Here are some more videos of Keep preparing his clay for printing:
And finally walking us through the 3D printing process step by step:
Keep’s desire to create a clay 3D printer was born from frustration over 3D Systems purchase of, and then discontinuation of, the RapMan 3D printer, the first 3D printer modified to print with clay. He is not an engineer, so when Keep decided to try to create his own clay 3D printer, he wanted to use the simpler to construct delta style build, with DIY tools and parts that were easily attainable from the internet or local hardware stores. He also plans to keep his printer completely open source so others can improve on his work.
Keep is careful to point out that his design is probably not the best or most efficient clay 3D printer. Rather it is a tool that he developed for himself to create his own artwork, and it works for him. He’s documented his build online for the purpose of sharing with others, hoping that they may be inspired to create ceramic 3D printers of their own.
You can find out more about Jonathan Keep and his 3D printed ceramic artwork at his website, and you can read through his detailed build journal here.
