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Raspberry pi cheap modeling clay DIY 3d writer(I know that is big words to say)

Former Member

HELP I need something really cheap and need coding experience. The Only thing I have is the raspberry pi and some modeling clay.(Raspberry pi runs on jessie). I am a big fan of your shows and wish you can help in making a cheap DIY 3d printer using the Raspberry Pi and modeling clay as the plastic in the printer. I hope that this build can help me with Python.

Thanks for your help!

Shyam Bodicherla, AKA thebenheckshowfan

  • Hi Shyam,

     

    What sort of modeling clay are you using? I like the idea, but I'm not sure how it would work. Since modeling clay cannot easily be stretched into and kept as thin strands, you would probably need more of a plunger and syringe type delivery system. Also having the syringe mechanism be sealed would help to keep the clay from drying out. How small of layers would you want to be able to extrude and how much clay would you want to be able to load in at a time? It seems that the XYZ movement portion of the 3D printer could mimic any other 3D printer, but developing the plunger mechanism could be an interesting challenge. What are your thoughts?

     

    ~Karen

  • instead of using solid clay how about using what they use in certain pottery classes. We use to make Jugs, vases, and small statues using something called a slip. Its clay in a water suspension. Then to solidify the slip you can use heat lamps (maybe like the ones used in diners) to dry out the slip so you can add the next layer. Then you would not need any system to press they clay out and instead use a simple pump. Then you use a slip with a higher clay to water solution then I used. Tho at the end you will still need to bake the object to make it solid.