Overview
Design/Build a glass vase forming kiln with lots of extras! From the concept to realization we navigated the challenges involved in building this 200 amp electric monster. A flat round glass ingot goes in and a massive five foot tall vase comes out. Large doors provide easy access to the hot spinning vase in order to work the shape with a variety of tools. Augmenting this is the ability to put pressure or vacuum to the inside of the vase, dramatically altering the process and stability.
Features
- Independent heating zones to ensure even heat distribution.
- Rotating chuck to form glass in kiln under fire.
- Pressure and vacuum to control drop and expansion of glass.
- Computer control for appropriate soak and temper stages over several hours.
Gallery
Our first attempt at making large glass vases! Oops.
Blanks of glass ready to go in.
Our first successful vase.
View port into the kiln.
Another early success.