Advanced Strategies for Clay 3D Printing

Program hosted by Jan Vítek

1. Clay printing methods:

• Extrusion:
  • Compatible with normal, recyclable clay
  • Common issues: low resolution, constant softness… overhang limits, single perimeter
  • Open source, relatively easy to build and adopt
  • Extruder types:
    • Piston extruder
      • Simple, spiral mode only, limited control
    • Screw extruder
      • More advanced, controlled flow, less air bubbles
      • Similar to FDM printing (stepper motor, screw, clay container)
  • Clay container types:
    • Mechanical: push clay using another stepper motor
    • Compressor: push clay using compressed air, simpler
• Powder-based: precise but expensive, high maintenance
• Resin + ceramic: precise, requires support, shrinks during firing

2. Setup (extrusion printing)

• Clay container made from PVC tube and 3D printed parts
• Compressor sends air to container to push clay (always on)
• Modified 3D printer:
  • Delta printers preferred (stable bed)
  • Uses original extruder motor (Controlled as a normal extruder)
  • 3D printed screw attached to extrude clay
  • Nozzle: Typically 3mm, can be modified from standard FDM nozzles

Note

• Air bubbles become a problem when firing
• Clay stiffness matters… soft: collapsing, hard: clogging
• Apply silicone spray to reduce friction
• Heat gun can dry prints but risks thermal shock (cracking)
• Print on acrylic board (later assembled as box for easier transport)
• Experiment: Mixing 2 clays in one extruder or piston
• Experiment: Fabric-like paths, L-system-based designs

3. Slicing and Parameters (PrusaSlicer)

• Import the .3mf file (attached at the bottom) as a slicing profile to PrusaSlicer

  

  

  

5. Products / inspirations

1. WASP: high-end, not cheap
2. 3D Potter: uses piston-based system, simpler design

3. Jonathan Keep

   • A Guide to Clay 3D Printing
   • Wikifactory

4. UNFOLD

6. Files

• Slice profile for Prusa Slicer: fab25.3mf
• Grasshopper (example model): fab25_workshop.gh