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Ceramics MFG

Thailand study away course.























Learning about large and small-scale production of
ceramic goods and Thai culture.
During a 14-day research expedition to Bangkok and Chiang Mai, the course group studied Thailand’s culture, history, and cuisine through the lens of ceramics and tableware. Visits to suppliers and production facilities educated us on a wide range of ceramic manufacturing techniques and provided us with a glimpse of how craftspeople contribute to every step of the production process. 






Using a Jigger to shape the foot and underside of a plate. 
   Baan Celadon
     A family-operated factory in Chiang Mai specializing in Celadon.



















SLIP CASTING  -   This blue vessel churns liquid clay slip to prevent  it from losing  moisture and solidifying. The slip is poured into molds to produce  ceramic forms.





Celapot
Cafe, gallery, and factory in Chiang Mai specializing in Celadon.  

















SLIP CASTING  -   Liquid clay slip is poured into plaster molds. Wall thickness forms as the plaster draws moisture out of the slip it is in contact with. After the desired thickness is achieved, excess slip is poured out of the molds and recovered.






Earth and Fire

Ceramic workshop in Lampang, designing and producing high-end tableware.
















SLIP CASTING  -   In this image, you can see solidified slip left to dry further in open molds. Soon, the hardened clay will be removed to be deseamed, finished and fired.  







Korakod Stoneware

Large, single fire ceramic vessel 
production in  Chiang Mai 



 







DRAGON KILN  -  A traditional wood-fired kiln that utilizes elevation and multiple fires to create and sustain extreme heat.  
Process of a wheel-thrown coil pot.








Kasalong
Large scale ceramic production facility in Lampang.  




















PRESSURE CASTING  -  Similar to slip casting, liquid clay slip is inserted into plaster molds. In this case, multiple plaster molds are vertically stacked and slip is pumped into the molds from the bottom of the stack.  This creates a more consistent product by filling at an even level.
Clay lugs to jiggering and oven drying. 








Automated jiggering assisted by craftsman
 Artway

Stoneware manufacturing plant in Bangkok. 












JIGGERING  -  Using a die and plaster mold, a jigger machine forms the exterior and interior of ceramic pieces. Clay is placed into the mold and a metal die pushes and shapes the clay into the side walls of the plaster while both rotate in the same direction. Excess clay is removed and shoots out of the machine in the process






Back in Los Angeles, we put our new knowledge to use. Creating molds for slipcasting, slump molding, and used paper templates to make clay forms.






Practicing mold making and slip-casting with mini tiffin toy acquired in Thailand.

First attempt at 3D printing a plaster mold master for casting.

Orientation of mold keys allows for molds to be mirrors of eachother.
I also made sure to make a draft angle to easily remove plaster.

Placing molds in a low-temp oven overnight made for easier removal.

Second attempt with various small forms. I designed these vessels to stack and paid attention to tolerances and shrinkage rates in the firing and glazing process.

Trimming pour spout and parting lines as well as sponging to create  smooth, finished forms



In addition to learning about ceramics production, we toured local design studios, production facilities, and culinary destinations to learn more about Thai culture and craft.





Studio Make

 Studiomake is an office and workshop based outside of Bangkok Thailand  

  




 
   Thai Chiang Saw MillBang Po Teak Factory

Teak processing mill in Bangkok.




Ku-Bar

Artisanal bar with architectural interiors in Bangkok. 









Thank You.