Here at 3DPrint.com, I think I speak for all of us when I say we perk up when WASP is making news. Part of it is probably due to the sheer size of their printing ambitions, but also due to the range of innovation in what are almost always very unique projects. As you have probably heard, they are currently in the midst of building an entirely 3D printed village, Shamballa, in coordination with the municipality of Massa Lombarda (Ravenna), in Italy. While that’s a big story, and one that’s only just begun, WASP has us turning also to their activities this year at Argillà 2016, taking place September 2-4 in Faenza.
This year, the company well-known for their 3D printing in ceramics will be harkening back not only to some fabrication on the smaller scale, but also to that of the art world as they participate in the International Ceramics Festival at Faenza, enjoying this international meeting of potters, artists, and ceramics experts that only happens every other year.
WASP will be presenting a new 3D printer, in the form of the DeltaWASP 3MT. This printer measures 3 meters (or nearly 10 feet) tall and as we reported a couple of months ago, one was also on its way to help at the massive Shamballa project. In Faenza, they will be demonstrating the 3MT’s ability to make one-meter-high sculptures with the combination of a new extruder and a clay mixture that together prevent the risk of collapse during the fabrication process.
The DeltaWASP 3MT in action.
As CEO Massimo Moretti comments on the history of the pottery wheel and all the innovation and expression that have been possible, he points out that ‘today, 3D printing is the new revolution.’ Specifically, the WASP team sees this revolution occurring as all of the rules are transformed, allowing for greater diversification in shapes and more latitude in creating geometrical structures. Combined with the ‘freedom of sculptural approach,’ a wide range of possibilities can be achieved in the open-source community.
“Due to 3D technology the object’s thickness will never be a problem again [as in] controlling the infill, the artist will be totally involved in the post-production phase,” states the WASP team in their latest press release.
The 3MT and its new extrusion system should be big news at the show, especially as they demonstrate how it is able to hold up to 20g of clay when full, and uses an automatic recharge system as well as a 7mm nozzle for making larger clay objects.
“After the launch of the first professional clay extruder for consumer printers that we showed during the last Argillà Edition, we’ve produced a new model able to extrude in a few time full scale objects,” says Moretti.
Working with artist Francesco Pacelli.
Continuing their interest in working with other artists, WASP will be collaborating at the show with Francesco Pacelli, and those visiting will see a work in progress, being printed on the DeltaWASP 4070. This is another amazing machine by the Italian manufacturer, and one we reported on last year as it was used to 3D print casts of the fallen at ancient Pompeii.
“We are interested in ceramic experimentation to open a window in sculpture and contemporary ceramics,” says Moretti. “We are very proud of our results. Obviously, it’s the first step of the research process and we will improve the research during the next months.”
Also, in line with their support of the DIY process featured by ecologically aware companies involved in environmentally-friendly projects, WASP’s work will be seen at the Olfattiva booth. Olfattiva specializes in both botanical perfumery and aromatherapy, and WASP has designed 3D printed, limited edition porcelain bottles to hold their perfumes and oils.
Those attending the event will also be able to check out the DeltaWASP 2040 as it prints out a small model of the ceramic sculpture made for a new traffic circle in Massa Lombarda. Known as ‘the soul,’ this is actually the rendering of a large peach pit 3D printed in porcelain, and meant to represent a symbol of the local Italian heritage.
You can find WASP in the piazza del Popolo – Faenza, from September 2-4. To find out more about all of their ongoing projects and 3D printers, just check out their website here. Discuss further in the WASP 3D Printers at Argilla 2016 forum over at 3DPB.com.
Work for Olfattiva.
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