3D printing of ceramics for design concept modeling

Abstract

David Huson and colleagues at the Centre for Fine Print Research in the Department of Art and Design at the University of the West of England have recently obtained funding from 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 their value to the design process is limited due to the type of materials that can be printed, conventional modeling and processing methods still need to be used to achieve a design concept model in a real material. In collaboration with Denby Pottery a leading UK domestic tableware manufacturer the research project will refine and enhance the 3D ceramic printing process already developed at the University. This collaboration will enable he production of concept models of new design ideas in a real ceramic material that can be printed directly from CAD data, fired, glazed and decorated. This paper will detail the progress of the research project and use examples of new designs to illustrate how these novel techniques can show great advantages in terms of time, cost, design flexibility and functionality when compared to existing 3D printing and conventional modeling techniques. ©2011 Society for Imaging Science and Technology.