Objective
The C - DEC project will seek to develop an entirely new flexibly automated ceramics decoration system. At present, no flexible systems have yet been developed. The C - DEC will decorate pottery using Computer Numerically Controlled robotic pigment application. Colourfill and extremely varied patterns will be applied to mugs, bowls, jugs, plates, and other items for the informal dining tableware market. The application of such decoration at present requires the flexibility of the human mind, hand and eye. The eye recognises the piece of pottery to be decorated. The mind, hand and eye coordinate to produce the movement of a pigment loaded stamp stencil or brush to carefully judged positions. The pigment is applied and the pattern takes shape. This highly flexible human method will provide the model for the C - DEC system. The C - DEC device will recognise shapes as they arrive in front of its sensors and will check its software for pattern orders. It will have the capability of printing a large number of different decorative motifs, in a wide range of colours, on to pottery of varying diameters, shapes and sizes. The C-DEC will be a truly flexible and automatic 24 hour a day decoration system. It will be able to decorate different individual items of pottery as easily as long runs of the one item, without loss of speed, at the rate of 1500 items per day. It will offer all the advantages of just-in-time manufacture, and inventory reduction. The C - DEC will offer the small to medium sized ceramics manufacturer the advantages of flexible automation in an industry dominated by manual systems and inflexible dedicated machinery. The C - DEC project will seek to develop an entirely new flexibly automated ceramics decoration system. At present, no flexible systems have yet been developed. The C - DEC will decorate pottery using Computer Numerically Controlled robotic pigment application. Colourfill and extremely varied patterns will be applied to mugs, bowls, jugs, plates, and other items for the informal dining tableware market. The application of such decoration at present requires the flexibility of the human mind, hand and eye. The eye recognises the piece of pottery to be decorated. The mind, hand and eye coordinate to produce the movement of a pigment loaded stamp stencil or brush to carefully judged positions. The pigment is applied and the pattern takes shape. This highly flexible human method will provide the model for the C - DEC system. The C - DEC device will recognise shapes as they arrive in front of its sensors and will check its software for pattern orders. It will have the capability of printing a large number of different decorative motifs, in a wide range of colours, on to pottery of varying diameters, shapes and sizes. The C-DEC will be a truly flexible and automatic 24 hour a day decoration system. It will be able to decorate different individual items of pottery as easily as long runs of the one item, without loss of speed, at the rate of 1500 items per day. It will offer all the advantages of just-in-time manufacture, and inventory reduction. The C - DEC will offer the small to medium sized ceramics manufacturer the advantages of flexible automation in an industry dominated by manual systems and inflexible dedicated machinery.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcolors
- social sciencessociologyindustrial relationsautomation
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringrobotics
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringceramics
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
EAW - Exploratory awardsCoordinator
HR5 3RB Kington
United Kingdom