A PM Makerspace project
See how we used the xTool F2 Ultra UV to explore ceramic glaze, refiring and practical surface tests.
Made and explored with the xTool F2 Ultra UV laser
Digital making meets a traditional material
At PM Makerspace, we used the xTool F2 Ultra UV laser to etch glazed ceramic plates. The automated material test grid let us compare speed and power combinations on the same surface. We looked for settings that removed a controlled amount of glaze, then refired a plate to see how the glaze softened and flowed again.
We wanted to understand what happened to the surface through practical workshop tests, not by relying on its appearance alone.
Our three practical checks
We tried: Weighed the plate before leaving it submerged in water for eight hours, then dried and weighed it again.
What we found: The plate's weight remained unchanged after eight hours in water. We found no measurable water absorption during this test.
We tried: Made 50 repeated cutting movements across the refired glaze to test its resistance to surface damage.
What we found: After repeated cutting movements, we could not see any visible abrasions, scratches or defects in the refired glaze. The surface remained intact throughout our test.
We tried: Washed the plate in the dishwasher, then swabbed the treated area and transferred the sample onto agar to check for bacterial growth.
What we found: The agar test showed no visible bacterial growth from the swab taken after dishwasher cleaning.