Hi guys,
Now that ceramics is so much cheaper, we're seeing way more orders which is awesome and I'm really glad people are trying it out!
Our ceramics manufacturer is swamped and we're unfortunately having to do a lot more rejections. When we looked at them, it seems almost all of them do not meet the minimum guidelines or material properties.
So just as a quick reminder here's some tips:
3D printed ceramics is not like the other materials, the material behaves like wet sand as we print it, then it is carefully transferred and then fired and glazed in a traditional kiln.
Ceramics is one of the trickier materials to design for because you need to design a model that is printable, glaze-able, and can withstand the high heat of the kiln and the structural changes the oven causes to your model. For example, the model will deform at different rates in the kiln, so sharp edges are likely to crack. Softer, curved edges are preferred and will glaze without risking cracks in the material surface. For some designs with clear bottoms, the bottom side may remain unglazed. This is because we need to stand up the designs when putting the glazed piece in the oven. For all other designs, we will put the design on setters, which mean very small portions of your model (where the setter touches the model) will not be glazed. Due to the nature of glazing some geometries may cause uneven distribution of the glaze on pieces. The glaze will add thickness to features on pieces.
Top Design Tips:
Sandcastle Rule: If this structure was made of wet sand, would it break? - There's a part in the production process for ceramics 3D printing during which the model is fragile and brittle. It's basically like wet sand. When you design, ask yourself this question: if I made this out of wet sand or brittle clay, could I lift the design without it breaking? If the answer is "no," then your design might break in production.
Your model should have a strong and obvious base - These pieces need to be glazed. While they're being glazed (meaning it is toasting in the oven), they needs a base to support it. Pieces with a clear base will be much more likely to glaze well than pieces without a clear base. For pieces without a clear base, we have support structures, but the support structures might leave small dents or craters in the surface of the glaze.
Glazing adds thickness. - Glazing will reduce definition of design details, such as grooves will fill with glaze. Up to 1mm of glaze can be added in certain areas. This also dulls details. Glazed Ceramics is a material for large and rounded features, not sharp details.
We really want to print all your orders in time for Christmas, so help us out by double checking that your model works with the design guidelines before you order it!
Thank you!
Natalia