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| Pate de verre bowl by C.Morin |
The resulting 3D printed object looks similar to the traditional glass technique Pate de verre, a grainy, sugary, opaque effect. There are also parallels in the process. The glass used needs to be crushed into a fine powder and often a binder is used to keep the glass powder in shape until it is fired at a relatively low temperature to keep that grainy look. On a basic level this is what happens with the 3D printer. See the you tube clips for visuals.
Using glass as a material for 3D printing had it's difficulties, it took some time to achieve an object that didn't fall apart before being placed in the kiln for firing. If a glass artist had worked with the team from the beginning I wonder if some solutions would have been found sooner?
Whilst the Solheim team like using recycled glass for its obvious sustainable qualities, they did find that using 'better' glass improved the look and performance.
In the search for a glossier glassy look, higher temperatures have been used in firing the objects, this results in a dramatic shrink rate.
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| 'green state' and fired for translucency |
The process has just begun...
