Monthly Tech-Tip | No tracking! No ads! |
I print these using PLA filament, they are strong enough for hobby or studio use (even if not printed solid). The knife-edge prints precise and smooth, there is no need for sanding. Notice that the drawing (far left) includes the contours of the inside and outside of the mug. Making the jigger template only requires adding three straight lines. Then I extrude it forward 1cm and add a 30-degree draft. The top edge can, of course, be extended upward to mount in the jigger arm. The working template has to be narrower than this at the bottom to clear the edge when the jigger arm is lowered. For use in hand-finishing the slip cast mugs (without a jigger arm) it is suitable like this.
This is revolutionary because it is now practical to make one-off jigger test molds in one step using a consumer 3D printer and no plaster original model. Draw, print, glue, pour plaster, peel off (or heat off using a hair drier) the printed PLA piece by piece and you are ready to jigger test mugs.
3D design of this is simple: Sketch the outside profile of the mug and the mold, join them at the rim of the mug and then rotate. While the whole thing can be printed as one piece, print-time is drastically reduced by doing them as separate pieces and gluing. It is also best to print the step section of the mold much thicker to guarantee roundness for fit into the cuphead or ring. Printing the base of the mug separately is most advantageous, that eliminates the need for generating support and enables doing multiple iterations of embossed designs or logos. Printing a small inside ring to hold it in place for glueing is a also good idea.
Glossary |
Jiggering
Jiggering is a process of forming pottery that employs a spinning plaster mold and a tapered template to press soft clay or porcelain against it. |
---|---|
Projects |
2019 Jiggering-Casting Project of Medalta 66 Mug
My project to reproduce a mug made by Medalta Potteries more than 50 years ago. I cast the body and handle, jigger the rim and then attach the handle. 3D printing made this all possible. |
Buy me a coffee and we can talk