5 replies to this topic

[Waganga]

Hi All,

 

I posted a question about a week ago asking about ceramic-based formicarium builds, and a couple of people expressed interest in a journal detailing my attempt at making one. So, here's that. Enjoy!

 

Why ceramic?

Mostly because it's one of my favorite mediums to build in. There is a lot of room for artistic creativity in ceramic as a medium, so I hope to bring a little artfulness to the formicarium world! Ceramic also maintains porosity, even after it's 2nd firing, which is ideal for a formicarium. Any glazed surface should be glass-like, making a used ceramic formicarium as easy to clean as a coffee mug. Plus, I can't find anyone already doing this online.

 

Ceramic shrinks!
Yeah, I know! I've never made anything out of ceramic that was meant to fit tightly together with other, non-ceramic parts (ie acrylic, machine screws, tubing etc), so figuring out how to work with the shrinking is part of the journey. 

 

Anyways, stay tuned for a couple of other initial posts!

 

Interesting Links?

All my design drawings

All images for Prototype 1

[Waganga]

Design Drawings

 

Here are some of my design drawings...

 

 

I find when I am building, I am not very good at following a pre-drawn layout design, the internal design of Prototype 1 kind of evolved on it's own as I was building. But, these drawings are good for thinking through my process.

[Waganga]

Prototype 1 - Raw Clay Build Part 1

 

Prototype 1 is intended to be approx 4" by 4", constructed out of clay slab walls, a clay slab base, and a coil built interior. It features one tubing/test tube entrance, separated chamber for holding a sponge or other hydration material, and includes three chambers for ant living. The chambers are about 1 inch wide, and about 1 to 1.5 inches deep. There is some topography to the clay floor of the chambers. The top of the chambers is an even surface, on which a piece of acrylic will be (hopefully) fitted and held on with machines screws and washers. Prototype 1 will be a "slab jar," featuring a lid with a knob, so the ant nest can be covered for ant privacy. Exterior walls and eventual lid of this jar features an embossing of an ant. 

 

Here are some pictures of the first part of my raw (still moist) clay build for Prototype 1.

 

 

Ceramic clay does shrink, this clay should shrink 10-15%, and I am concerned I've totally screwed myself on this build by making the space for the future acrylic too tight a fit. If that's the case, perhaps I can cut the acrylic piece slightly smaller? We'll see!

[MegaMyrmex]

Very nice design, I'll make sure to follow this!

Edited by MegaMyrmex, June 3 2018 - 7:31 AM.

[Waganga]

Prototype 1 - Raw Clay Build Part 2

 

Finished up on building this formicarium this evening. I added the lid, which will cover the nest to give the ants privacy, and raised the nest box up off the ground with some round feet, so that a heating cable can be snaked underneath if desired. The feet also hide where the machine screws will poke out the bottom of the nest. Left the nest to dry without the acrylic piece inside, we'll see how the acrylic fits after the formicarium is bisqued. Added a nice ant shaped "handle" on top for effect! Although, the lid is easy to remove with one hand without a handle.

 

 

The hole for the test tube is a loose fit, around 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter. 1/2" OD tubing is an extremely loose fit, but another slightly large OD tubing would probably be a snug fit. Whatever is used to seal any small gaps between the acrylic and the ceramic will likely need to be used to seal gaps between tubing/test tube and ceramic.

 

 

 

I'll be glazing this next week, most likely, so stay tuned for that! I'm testing out some of our lighter glazes on some other pieces, so I should know by next time what colors I'll be using on this formicarium. I'll also be starting on a 2nd design next week as well, armed with what I learned this round. 

 

Very nice design, I'll make sure to follow this!

 

Thanks for the compliment! 

Edited by Waganga, June 6 2018 - 9:11 PM.

[Enderz]

This is looking very good! If it goes well I need to try something like this!