POLYMER CLAY CUTTING TOOLS

29 Dec

Sometimes, just the smallest of features can make or break a product. For example, when quality tools are up to the task they were made for, you can rely on quality results time and time again. When jewellery designer Ann Silosky looked online to buy some cutting tools to make her stellar polymer clay jewellery, she was happily surprised at first with what she had found. After a short while, she noticed that her post processes were taking longer than they should, and she knew there had to be a better way, so she turned to the experts at iterator.de…

“I BOUGHT SOME PREMADE FORMS ONLINE THAT WERE 3D PRINTED, BUT I WANTED SOMETHING THAT CUT NICER, CLEANER SHAPES AND SOME OF MY OWN CUSTOM DESIGNS MADE TOO.
i SAW ITERATOR.DE WERE ON INSTAGRAM SO i GOT IN TOUCH.”

— Ann Silosky (Jewellery Designer & Artist)

STEP ONE. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.

“When I got the message on Instagram from Ann I was really excited by her enthusiasm and I found it serendipitous that I had just finished 3D-printing a batch of cookie cutters for family - and these same services were professionally in need!

We started a Custom 3D Project immediately and met for a consultation. She showed me the tools she had bought online (which looked pretty decent), but Ann began to point out the flaws they were creating in her jewellery and the additional time needed to rectify them.

She also showed me her process in action (which was really cool), and that allowed me to analyse what was going wrong. I deduced that because her tools just had a 0.4mm wide, rectangular, flat cutting tip, there was no leading or trailing edge in the cutter design. Without this feature, there was nothing to force the material away from the cutting point in either direction to create a clean cut. We made a plan and booked some additional Studio Hours so that I could recreate some of her tools in CAD and add a bevel to the cutter design.”

— Cameron at iterator.de

Ann Silosky & Cam from iterator.de meeting at K. Lieblings to discuss her Custom 3D Project needs

First set of Ann’s prototype tools ready for testing

STEP TWO.
MODEL IT. Test it.

“I asked Ann to forward me a few of her favourite tool designs to be modelled in CAD. Within just a few short hours I had the first two designs in the printer ready for testing shortly thereafter.

I added in a few features to see if I could improve the user experience and increase durability. These were the crossbars and thumb-grip so that the force is evenly distributed when the tool is pressed.

We tried them out but they were superfluous to the overall design and functionality of the tool because the palm of your hand and tips of your fingers with their ability to sense pressure is a more effective way of knowing you have cut through the material completely, so we decided scratch that idea and go with a strengthened flat edge for applying pressure.

Both forms were printed in PLA and Standard Resin to test, and it was clear the resin version was superior in every respect except a more durable resin would be needed.

Ann and I met for a short test together and it was clear we were getting the results she was looking for. I made the recommendation to construct all the tools in CAD and 3D-print them in a more expensive, durable resin. She was happy, so I got right to it.”

— Cameron at iterator.de

STEP THREE.
final test.
deliver it.

“While I was waiting for the arrival of the durable resin from the Netherlands I got stuck in and modelled the remaining custom forms for Ann. As soon as the resin arrived, things moved pretty quickly. There were some quirks with the resin that I had to overcome but the guys at liqcreate.com were helpful with getting the results we were looking for.

I ran some cutting tests with the final product and they all were performing as intended. I knew Ann was going to enjoy the results!

I had the full batch of tools post-processed, packaged and ready for delivery by the end of the following day.

Since Ann is a local girl, I made an appointment to meet after Thanksgiving and see these tools in action.

When we met she rolled out some clay and got right into it. The results did not disappoint. We checked through each form and made sure every tool was performing correctly and wrapped up the project with some photos.

Thank you so much for coming to us Ann! We really enjoyed working with you and we look forward to seeing more of your stellar jewellery designs in the future!”

— Cameron at iterator.de