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Loop Tools for Ceramic, Plaster, and Clay

by Brian Yang and Jesse Klein

Made by Brian Yang and jjklein

In this project we investigate loop tools in use with clay.

Created: January 26th, 2015

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Test cutting with the largest loop tool we had.

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The second loop tool had two smaller loops with different shapes, one with a circular bottom and one with a flat bottom.

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We made various test cuts using the tools with different hand motions and positions on a large block of clay. The tests included using the tool at various angles. We tried various sweeping motions, straight cuts, and changes in cutting depth. Also tested was how different cuts interact with one another. The loop tools can create an huge variety of cuts, making them great tool for removing clay for shaping and finishing. The cuts created on the clay we had would create walls that bulged outward along the cut. The clay also lacked consistency in hardness and would cause inconsistency in the cuts. Accuracy of the tool is mostly dependent on the user's dexterity and mastery of the tool.

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We continued to use the tools in other ways. We explored cutting straight down, using the tool to create patterns and how the tool worked when cutting at increasing depth. We found that we can create very interesting patterns. We also found that the tool has a limited cutting depth, since it is wider on the bottom than the top, making it difficult to remove material from deep cuts.

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We found that the removed clay sometimes created interesting shapes and patterns. However, depending on the wetness and hardness of the clay, the cutoffs were not necessarily removable.

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We also tested what happens when cuts are parallel to each other, separated by spaces of various widths or overlapping.

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We noticed that the texture of the cut changed with the speed of the tool. The cut to the right was made at a slower speed and the one to the left was made more quickly. The faster one has streaks in the  walls while the one cut at a slow speed has smoother walls.

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For the final artifact we set out to create a sample of molding. 

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Loop tools are vary useful tools in the world of ceramics, plaster, and clay. It can be used from rough shaping to detailing. How well the tool can be used is largely dependent on the user's ability to master it in order to create the shapes he or she has in mind.

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16-455 Human-Machine Virtuosity

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Human dexterous skill embodies a wealth of physical understanding which complements computer-based design and machine fabrication. This project-oriented course explores the duality between hand and...more

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In this project we investigate loop tools in use with clay.