Loading Ceramics: Visualising Possibilities of Robotics in Ceramics

TL;DR

This artistic research explores robotic 3D printing with ceramics, focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration, material constraints, and software development to enhance creative and technical possibilities in robotic ceramics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interdisciplinary approach combining art, architecture, and robotics to advance 3D printing techniques in ceramics with custom software and hardware solutions.

Findings

Refined robotic-ceramics interface through iterative software development

Demonstrated integration of local clay and robotic printing constraints

Produced case studies showcasing creative applications of robotic ceramics

Abstract

This article introduces an artistic research project that utilises artist-in-residency and exhibition as methods for exploring the possibilities of robotic 3D printing and ceramics. The interdisciplinary project unites artists and architects to collaborate on a proposed curatorial concept and Do-It-With-Others (DIWO) technological development. Constraints include material, specifically local clay, production technique, namely 3D printing with a robotic arm, and kiln size, as well as an exhibition concept that is further elaborated in the next chapter. The pictorial presents four projects as case studies demonstrating how the creatives integrate these constraints into their processes. This integration leads to the subsequent refinement and customization of the robotic-ceramics interface, aligning with the practitioners' requirements through software development. The project's focus extends beyond artistic outcomes, aiming also to advance the pipeline of 3D robotic printing in clay, employing a digitally controlled material press that has been developed in-house, with its functionality refined through practice.