3D PRINTING. (Yes, printing objects using a printer!)

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3D PRINTING (Yes, printing objects using a printer!)

In September 2010 I begun to research and blog on 3D printing / 3D fabrication / additive manufacturing.

I wanted to use this technology with paperclay.

But 3D plastic printers were very expensive.

In September 2010 I had been quoted US$15,000 for a commercial desktop 3D printer from Dimension 3D Printers and sent a free print sample (see top photo on right).

The first commercial clay printers were also very expensive. John Balistreri and researchers from Bowling Green State University, who first printed dry ceramic material in 2007 but have locked the technology up via patents and licence agreement with Z Corp.

The breakthrough was the RepRap kit set Desktop 3 Printer started by Dr Adrian Bowyer, at the University of Bath (UK).

Example of a 3D printed object printed by a US$15,000 commercial printer, sent to me in 2010. Photographer: Graham Hay.

What triggered my interest is the claims that a machine could be built for below AUS$1,000, and that the building and operating was becoming easier (ie moved from Geek to handyman complexity).

The RepRap project is a printer that since 2008 can create most of its own parts (apart from motors, nuts, both and a few easy to buy rods).

This makes it a self-replicating machine (ie print out a machine for your friends).

It has enabled others to design and upload files containing improvements to the design.

The computer files and designs are all open source, free for anyone to download from the internet and use.

I tracked down a local inventor group who had begun printing out parts for each other, but they underwent a clubhouse relocation and many of the machines I saw were incomplete, and untested.

I then saw that Unfold, in Belgium had modified a RapMan printer so that it printed clay!

A UK potter Jonathan Keep had contacted them and simplified their design.

In April 2012 I was invited to be an Artist in Resident in the ceramics studio at Perth central TAFE college.

A RapMan 3.2 was purchased for me to play with.

With the assistance of Robert Vinkovic, a recent engineering graduate from Curtin University, I

Similar 3D plastic object I printed printed in art studio on kit set printer (2012).

Photographer: Graham Hay. Special thanks to all those who have helped me: Co-builder: Robert Vinkovic, recent CUT Engineering Graduate.

Digby DeBruin, Manager, Art Portfolio, Central Institute of Technology (TAFE), Perth, who invited me.

assembled the printer in July.

In August 2012 We begun printing plastic Moineau pump based paste extruder parts to modify the printer, so it can print clay...

BACKGROUND: January 2012 symposium of leading UK experts in 3D printed ceramics at the V & A Museum in London.

Bela Kotai, Head, and Andrea Vinkovic, Ceramics Technician, Ceramics Studio, who have been so welcoming and helpful. Thank you to Technicans Paul Hutchins, Charlies Nightingale and Matt Dickman for tools and workshop support. Also a big thank you to Stuart Clipston, Design Technician for printing out the extruder parts.

Elaine Bradley, who has show keen interest and blogged on our beginning.

Eric Duncan of Pirtek Fluid Transfer solutions, Welshpool branch, for brainstorming high pressure systems.

Some useful links: ZCorporation (dry, multicolour objects printed in offices)

Australia Roderick Bamford used a modified RapMan to also print ceramic work for the Hyperclay exhibition in 2011-12. video of working latest clay extruder model modified by Unfold

PAPERCLAY BACKGROUND: Now that I have formally started the build stage of the project, I find I am not alone in wanting to use paperclay in it!

RepRat Ceramic Extrusion Wiki Worlds biggest porcelain printer (80x80x80cm build envelope). By Eran Gal-Or, H.I.T Institute (Israel) (thanks Unfold for the link).

Possiable student problem-1 new cup design day (emailed to me by Antonella Cimatti 11 Jan 2013) Researching sharewareMac 3D Software for 3D printing: Blender, SketchUp + CADspan free Plugin(convert to STL files), Shapeways tutorials , Netfabb.

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