3D Printing Clay

3D printing ceramics has inspired a new generation of artists, sculptors, and architects attracted to the ornate and exceptionally detailed shapes that would be impossible or too labor intensive using traditional ceramic processes. Even though there are hundreds of metals and plastics to 3D print with, ceramic materials have unique properties that are extremely valuable in both high-tech manufacturing and art. 3D printing heightens the appeal of this material because it not only enables you to create parts with shapes not currently possible with any other process, but it is far more cost effective and faster than producing ceramic parts in the traditional way particularly for industrial applications. Ceramic 3D printers are in a category of their own and within it are distinctly different machines for industry and art. We’ll guide you through the best on the market in both segments. 3D printers have been used in recent years to extrude terracotta to create unique roof tiles, artificial reefs, and even entire buildings. The terms ceramic and clay are often used interchangeably in art circles to describe different materials for making pottery. Of course, clay is a type of ceramic, but certainly not all ceramics are made of clay. Clay is a natural material that comes from the ground, and ceramics are various materials that harden when heated, including clay. When it comes to 3D printing, a wide range of clay material, including ceramic and terracotta, can be extruded...