Advanced Strategies for Clay 3D Printing¶
Program hosted by Jan VĂtek
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)
- Piston extruder
- 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¶
6. Files¶
- Slice profile for Prusa Slicer: fab25.3mf
- Grasshopper (example model): fab25_workshop.gh