Parametric Pottery!

3D Porcelain Printing was an intensive course led by Alexander Jentsch, centered on hands-on experimentation with clay printing techniques. Using WASP printers and porcelain, we conducted a series of structured experiments to understand the behavior of ceramic materials through Liquid Deposition Modeling (LDM). The course emphasized both technical precision and creative exploration, encouraging us to push the limits of form and material through iterative testing. By the end, we had developed a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities and challenges of 3D printing with porcelain.

1. Intro to Future Heritage

At the start of the course, the instructor introduced the concept of „Future heritage“ and the idea of preserving traditional crafts through modern technology.

He highlighted how 3D printing can bridge craft and innovation, allowing us to reinterpret ceramics using digital tools. We learned to use 3D modeling software to design and optimize forms specifically for the behaviors of porcelain and clay in the printing process, setting the stage for a fusion of tradition and tech.

2. Parametric Modeling

To make the process more interesting, I decided to add another layer of complexity by exploring parametric modeling.

Using Rhino, I designed a variety of printable shapes and developed a custom Grasshopper script to generate and control these forms dynamically.

This approach allowed me to experiment with different geometries and optimize designs for porcelain printing, in what I call „Parametric Pottery“, combining creativity with computational precision to push the boundaries of what could be achieved with clay 3D printing.

3. Preparations & First Experimentation

Before printing, we had to carefully prepare the porcelain clay to ensure better control during the process. This included adjusting its consistency and manually shaping a stable base for each print.

Despite these preparations, the first experiment failed, the form collapsed due to its extensive curvature and overhanging sides. The structure couldn’t support itself, and the clay began to sag and deform before it had a chance to dry, highlighting the importance of balancing design ambition with material limitations.

4. More Experimentations!

We began modifying the designs and experimenting with a variety of shapes, learning through a process of trial and error.

This led to several successful prints -and a few failed ones- but each iteration brought new insights. As we refined my forms, we also became more confident with the WASP printer, gradually mastering its settings and behaviors.

5. Conclusion

This course was a valuable exploration of how traditional pottery can evolve through digital fabrication. It challenged us to understand material behavior, experiment with form, and refine our skills in parametric design and porcelain 3D printing.

Special thanks to Alexander Jentsch for his guidance and support throughout the process.