[no relation, just think it's a cool scanner thingy]

That’s one of my pet peeves.

They call it the candyfab – http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php?story=candyfab

The rough appearance could be a design feature (they *could* smooth it out somewhat) or it could be partially due to the choice of clay body. Terra Cotta (the second photo) is always rougher than a more refined clay like porcelain. It fires to a lower temperature and is porous enough that it will never hold water on its own. To get a cohesive pot the clay portion of their mix is not just “clay”, but a a combo of probably 5 ingredients, hence the RedArt. Most potters don’t make their own clay body. Another option is a natural clay (like something dug out of the local riverbed) that happens to fire to the appropriate temp. Many natural clays still need additives to come to temperature.

I would wonder about the weight of the pieces and the density of the clay. When you are making a pot, whether extruding it, hand building, or throwing it, you are actively compressing and smoothing the clay particles as you work. I don’t know all that much about objects created with 3D printing, but I imagine the printer almost gently setting layer upon layer, and that cohesion is due to the binding agents. I don’t doubt that it would stay together if they had the right clay composition, but it must be rather light weight.

If one was going for a really light weight 3D printed ceramic object they could try using paperclay. Paperclay is about 25% paper (usually toilet paper dissolved in water and blended) with 75% slurried clay body. It turns out lighter and stronger (at least when it is in a greenware state). You could dry that mix out and add the binding agent… Of course technology and clay dust aren’t happy companions, so…

This is incorrect. Both are white powders, but that is where their similarity ends.

I personally use Maltodextrin as a nutritional supplement. It is used to give you energy during and post workout, and is a healthier alternative to sugar for this purpose as well as in foods.

MSG is Monosodium glutamate. This is used to enhance the flavor of foods and is suspected to cause cancer.

Please run a google search before spreading ‘facts’.

It must take effort to come off so inaccurately. It is BOTH a food additive and used for sports nutrition. MSG allergies/sensitivities are as accurate and real as WiFi allergies. Stop eating shitty fast food with incredibly high salt content and you’ll stop getting headaches.

“MSG is Monosodium glutamate. This is used to enhance the flavor of foods and is suspected to cause cancer.”

Not by actual medical science it’s not.

http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/magazines/Ceramics%20Monthly/2009febprintedpotfeature.aspx

I don’t know if that’s the printer resolution or the material they’re using.

At 10k to 20k for a printer, I won’t be getting one just yet.

Watch out Ebay!

The objects are porous after printing and quite light. After firing, the objects can range from almost fully dense to quite porous. Yes, this means the objects shrink in firing (maybe 20%). We can infiltrate them with a variety of compounds from glasses to terra sigillata. The resulting objects take glaze nicely.

Yes, they have a distinct texture that is characteristic of 3D printing. It is part of the process. Typical printer resolution is about 300 DPI and the layers are about 0.004″.

Mark Ganter

Wonder if you could substitute some sort of dough instead of clay. Sugary, edible, everythings!