3D Printing Artifacts on a Bowl Model.

When are these a problem? When are they not?

3D printing is resetting and revolutionizing all fabrication industries. It brings exciting new capabilities, especially in ceramics. Each disadvantage is being addressed and solved. This stair-casing in the surface, or more correctly termed "printing artifacts", is often cited as a reason for not even considering the process. But here is why that view could rob you of a great opportunity:

For prototype molds (which are so much easier using 3D techniques), this issue can be completely ignored.
Even in production, this can be tolerated when opaque glazes hide it and when routine ribbing and sponging reduce it to a non-issue.
Only certain parts of most pieces exhibit this issue, the more vertical surfaces (and fully flat ones) are smooth. Further, since this is a jigger mold, the inside shape is formed by the rib and is smooth. Likewise with slip casting molds, the inside surfaces are pour-formed, and thus smooth.
For production molds, 3D printing is just the first step to creating plaster or rubber case molds. During the multistep process, the artifacts can be removed. For example, this is a plaster model of the outside shape of the piece; it is part of a hybrid mold (attaching to a 3D printed clamping baseplate and mating side rails). Thus, this can be tooled completely smooth (before soaping and use in making production molds).
In some cases, the artifacts actually add to the aesthetics of the final piece and can be amplified with the right glazes.
We have not noted release issues on molds having artifact surfaces when slip casting clays of sufficient plasticity are employed.

Realistically, the new capabilities of 3D address traditional mold making process weaknesses that we have always just accepted. This new technique brings capabilities into the hands of even a hobby potters that seasoned mold makers only 10 years ago would envy.

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Why 3D design and printing is a better way to make slip casting molds

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I dread the traditional mold making process, the mess, all the supplies and tools involved. I am a potter, I make functional ceramics. I am not a mold-maker, but 3D design and printing have put it within my reach. This way more fun! There is no stopping this, it’s the future.
-I spend most time on design, pouring the plaster or rubber takes minutes.
-Many fewer tools and supplies are needed, the process is less messy, as easy as downloading a file, printing it and pouring in plaster - this is doable in my kitchen! I don't even need mold soap!
-Sanding of flat mating faces is possible (for better seams than I've ever had). This is because natches can be added later (using embeds).
-I can make my own natches and interlock schemes.
-No spare is needed, the 3D-printed pour spouts work better.
-The range of shapes seems limitless. Especially because designs can be split up into pieces, each printed in optimal orientation (and glued together).
-I make molds through multiple design-print iterations. 3D makes do-overs or changes in design as easy as a reprint and plaster-pour. So, I can make a mold just to test an idea!

3D-printing artifacts on a slip cast M370C bottle. A problem?

3D printing artifacts on slipcast ceramic bottles

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Here is why the stair-casing artifacts are not the problem many people think. These are stonewares fired at cone 6 oxidation. The dark one is M370C with 10% added raw umber. The other is M370C. Both are glazed using GA6-B Alberta Slip amber transparent. The wood-grain texture on the right is an artifact of 3D-printing - the case mold was printed flat rather than upright. Strangely, that is the bottle people want! But the production prototype bottle is the one on the left and the stair casing is barely visible. Additionally, these are prototypes, the production molds would either be made by printing the model upright or by casting a plaster model of a bottle half, smoothing and soaping it, attaching it to a clamping baseplate and then setting up 3D printed railing around it.

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3D design and printing for mold making in ceramics bring exciting new capabilities. Awareness of the issues and knowing how to mitigate each is a must. 3D is resetting all fabrication industries and engineers are solving every problem, you can too.

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