texturized espresso cups

Introduction:

Here's a first attempt in creating a silicone mold for casting ceramics or cement espresso cups. It's also my first time designing something with displacement mapping which is really exciting stuff.

As it's not all done yet, I'll keep this marked as work in progress and will update continually.

Instructions:

The files include two different cup versions which can be used as normal cups (when printed in an appropriate material) and a bowl, which is supposed to encase a silicone mold.

There's also a frame which holds the espresso cup upside down. You have to glue them both together like in the screenshot provided. Afterwards drill a small hole into the bottom of the cup + frame to let the silicone fill out the cavity.

Attach the frame to the bowl so that it resembles the aforementioned screenshot. Now slowly pour the prepared liquid silicone into the pot until it reaches the glue-mark + a few mm more. Make sure there's as few bubbles as possible (using a vibrating platform can be helpful).

After the silicone has hardened, remove it from the pot, cut it open alongside, carefully cut out the handle so you can put it together after you've removed the cup.

Place the empty silicone mold into the pot again, check that it all aligns and start pouring your ceramic mass or cement or whatever.

Reuse it until you've bugged every person you know with tons of selfmade espresso cups. Cheers.

Questions:

Further plans: Glazing. Has anybody here done that yet? Is it possible to glaze cement casted things in a kiln? Is there something like cold-glaze which is food- and dishwashersafe? I'd be gla(ze)d if someone could give me some advice here.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Wanhao

Printer:

Rafts:

No

Supports:

Resolution:

0,1mm

Infill:

Notes:

I've printed the first cup in wood to reduce layer visibility. There's a lot of stringing though, so I'm not entirely sure about that idea. Heavy ringing is also visible, but that's a totally different topic. rnrnProbably it's best to use a very fine nozzle and plain PLA.

Category: Kitchen & Dining