The printer is currently rented out to a clay artist
After Printing repack the remaining Clay as Airtight as possible or it will dry over time
keep any miss-prints, Clay-cutoffs, leftover bits
squish them flat (3-5mm is perfect) and keep them in the scraps Bag/Bucket [ todo ]
Clay is more or less 'infinit reusable'
Kompressor 10 Bar - 50L
[WIP]
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First starting Point:
https://openlearning.aalto.fi/mod/page/view.php?id=10524
The Documentation about the Printer is Spotty at best.
There is a Simplify3D Profile for the Printer
I Copied the Values to a Cura/Prusa Slicer Profile, and I'll publish it after the first successful print.
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[WIP]
First starting Point:
http://keep-art.co.uk/Journal/JK_Guide_to_Clay_3D_Printing.pdf
There are multiple descriptions about the Consistency of the Clay
From 'Nutella' - to «you fill a Syringe and push the Clay on a flat surface and the 'Tower' has to go a tiny bit Limp» -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx-VKpSR_Do&t=235s
Then you have to knead the Clay a bit to remove the air bubbles
After that, make "Burger Patty" sized disks and Layer them in the Tank
Watch the Video above
Put the Plunger in, Close the Tank and set up the Air compressor etc.
With an Air pressure about 3-5bar, the Clay should move on its own through the clear Tube to the Extruder. After the pipe is filled all the way to the Extruder, use the Display/Rotary Encoder and go to Prepare and Prime the Extruder. Repeat until a steady flow comes out of the Nozzle
Close the Air regulator
The Bed should be Leveled as is
With the original Board the Home Position should be +412.5
If not go to "Prepare" move the Extruder to the Bed and lower it until only a sheet of paper fits underneath. Safe Position and Home again
Make sure that the extruder nozzle is empty, clean and without obstruction before use
Make sure that the two tank caps are tight before the pressurization of the tank
Confine long hair or loose clothing before using the machine.
Do not exceed the maximum pressure (6? 8? bar)
Do not put your fingers inside the extruder
Do not introduce or place hands or other parts of the body near the moving parts
Slice your 3D Object [See Above]
Copy the gCode to your SD Card, plug it in
Open the Air regulator back to the proven Pressure
Use a wet Sponge to wipe of the Printboard, get it a bit wet but not "Puddles of Water" on it
BEFORE STARTING
Wipe the Nozzle
Start the Print
AFTER FINISHING
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Let the Clay dry all the way through. (For thin Bits 3-5mm, that taks a Week or so)
Krumble them down so they are not bigger than a 1€ Coin.
Fill all those Clay bits in a Bucket, Shake the Bucket and fill it with Water so the highest bits are barely covered with Water.
Let the bucket sit for a few Days.
After 2-3 Days, all those bits should have desolved and you have a more or less homogenus Sluge called "Slip"
It can be used 'as is' to add a Handle to a Cup etc.
If you want to reuse the Slip with the Printer you have to Dry it first.
One method is to spread a thin Layer on a clean Tea-towel, Pillowcase etc and let the Water evaporate over 2-3 Days
Or you use a 'Plaster Board'
Spread the slip on the Plaster Board, wait a few Minutes and roll the 'Clay Skin' into a Ball
repeat untill all the Slip is used
Now you have to get the Consistency for the Printer right...
See [Step 1: Prepare the Clay]
Printing from Mixtures - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb0ZCUypWbE
Materials for LDM 3D printing: Clay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiUVtJXbIfY
General rules for preparing and storing mixtures - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhfTC6mfJq0
Using fibers and aggregates - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6fD6gM-bLY
After the print: drying, firing and glazing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q1nn_epcmI
Compressor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dxTJPSczuc
What's the slicing? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxuCNz0kMWQ
Simplify3D: slicing for professional printers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWbCbsboDkU
Cleaning the extruder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYCuPCM0aIk