Output details

Patent for 3D ceramic material

This Patent was developed by Hoskins and Huson as a result of a three year AHRC research grant, ‘The Fabrication of Three Dimensional Art and Craft Artefacts through Virtual Digital Construction and Output’ (2007-09). The objectives of the project were to undertake experimental research to modify and refine existing technology in order to reflect the needs identified within the arts and craft sector and to evaluate the methods used by selected practitioners in the production of artefacts. Developed for the 3D printing powder deposition process that uses an inkjet head to print a binder onto a powder bed consisting of a plaster and multi-dextrose material combination, this research postulated whether rapid prototyping could be used purely for the fabrication of an actual bespoke artefact rather than providing an intermediary prototype to assist the cycle of mass customization or bespoke production. Hoskins and Huson developed the ceramic material as a means by which a digitally generated artefact could be produced in a ‘real’ material, in this case, fired ceramic porcelain. The patent was licensed to Viridis 3D LLC in 2011. Hoskins’ individual contribution consisted of applying previous research into 3D inkjet printing, as well as developing and determining the saturation levels, deposition rates and printhead behaviour.

A number of bespoke quality artefacts have been created through this process, exemplified by designer Peter Ting’s 3D printed bowl, which has now been included in the exhibition ‘Out of Hand: Materialising the Postdigital’ at the Museum of Art and Design, New York (October 2013 - July 2014). Hoskins and Huson will undertake a week long residency at the Museum (November 2013) to demonstrate their findings. Hoskins and Huson have also undertaken commercially confidential research for Johnson Matthey Noble Metals using the patented material as a base for a chemical cleaning process.