Styro Cutter

The HSGM ETC‑250 S is a tabletop hot‑wire cutting machine used to cut polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) and similar foam materials. It is commonly used for model making, design prototypes, and construction of lightweight forms.

1 – ventilation button
2 – hot wire
3 – temperature control dial
4 – Power switch

Quick Start Guide:
• Turn on the ventilation system (1)
• Turn on the machine and let it heat up briefly (4)
• Adjust the cutting temperature depending on the foam density (3)
• Guide the Styrofoam slowly and steadily through the hot wire (2)
• Do not push the material: it should melt through the heat
• Only cut foam materials; do not use other materials

The machine cuts the material with a heated wire, which melts through the foam and creates clean, precise edges. This allows both straight and angled cuts. The working table provides a stable surface to guide the material during cutting.

The device has a maximum cutting height of about 250 mm, which allows relatively thick foam blocks to be processed. The cutting temperature can be adjusted depending on the density of the material.

When using the machine, it is important to work slowly and guide the foam steadily through the hot wire. Only foam materials such as EPS or XPS should be cut with this device, as other materials can damage the wire or produce harmful fumes.

Risks / Safety:
• The wire becomes very hot — risk of burns if touched
• The hot wire can burn hair or clothing — keep distance and tie back long hair
• Cutting produces fumes — always work with ventilation turned on
• Turn off the machine after use and allow it to cool down

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Slab roller for ceramics

The slab roller is used to roll clay into flat, even slabs for handbuilding. It is suitable for making plates, tiles, wall pieces, molds, or parts for sculptures.

The working surface allows slabs of up to about 60 × 90 cm, and the thickness can be adjusted up to 42 mm depending on the project.

To use the machine, the clay is placed between two cloth sheets and rolled through the rollers using a hand wheel. The cloths are important because they prevent the clay from sticking to the machine and help keep the slab surface even. Always make sure the cloths are clean and positioned flat before rolling.

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Pottery Wheel

The Shimpo RK‑3D is a compact electric pottery wheel with a direct‑drive motor, which reduces vibration, noise, and maintenance by eliminating belts. Speed is continuously adjustable and typically controlled via a foot pedal, enabling hands‑free operation while throwing. The wheel supports both clockwise and counter‑clockwise rotation, making it suitable for both right‑ and left‑handed users.

The wheel head has a diameter of about 300 mm and is made of aluminum. The machine can be used with bat plates. A removable splash pan helps contain water and clay and simplifies cleaning.

It is recommended to consult a workshop instructor to determine which materials are most suitable for throwing.

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Ceramic Kiln

Ceramic Kilns

The KITTEC X 300 S kiln and the Pyrotec PC are electric kilns used for firing ceramics. They are top-loading kilns, which means they opens from above and they are easy to load.

KITTEC X 300 S can reach temperatures up to 1320 °C, which makes it suitable for many ceramic processes. It has a chamber volume of about 294 litres and runs on a 400 V three-phase power supply. The inner dimensions are about 690 mm diameter and 780 mm height, giving enough space for medium to large ceramic works.

Pyrotec PC can reach temperatures of up to 1280 °C. Its internal dimensions are approximately 230 x 230 x 230 mm, providing enough space for small-scale ceramic experiments.

The kilns are designed for even heat distribution and energy efficiency, using high-quality insulation and heating elements.

Important: The kilns may only be operated by the workshop management.

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Heat Plate

The device is a laboratory hotplate, designed for controlled and uniform heating of materials. It is particularly suitable for gently melting substances such as waxes and soaps. The temperature can be set using a thermostat, while the integrated power controller adjusts the heating intensity to ensure smooth and even heat transfer. This is important when melting wax or soap, as excessive heat can lead to overheating, discoloration, or degradation of the material. By using moderate power and controlled temperature, the material melts slowly and evenly, preventing burning or uneven consistency.

Temperature and Power Control

The device uses two components:

Thermostat (2): switches the heating on and off to maintain the set temperature.
Power controller (1): adjusts the heating power continuously.

For low temperature settings, reduced power is used to prevent overheating.
This ensures stable temperature control and avoids temperature fluctuations.

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Clay Extruder

Please ask the workshop manager before using this machine.

The Big Blue Extruder is a professional-grade clay extrusion machine. Its core capability lies in its robust 15 × 15 × 30 cm aluminum barrel that holds up to 11 kg of clay, enabling continuous extrusion work. The machine supports full customization by letting you fabricate your own die plates, so you can produce any unique form or pattern you need. Suitable for diverse ceramic materials, these extrusions can be air-dried for modeling or fired and glazed for durability. Timing is crucial: if your pieces are intended for firing, you must allow a minimum of two weeks for drying to prevent cracking or kiln explosions. For air-dried projects without firing, a stabilization period of at least one week is necessary.

1. crank
2. container
3. die
4. screw
5. safety pin

Manual

Turn the press head upwards using the crank (1)
Release the safety pin (5)
Remove the container (2)
Loosen the two screws (4) next to the die (3)
Place the die (3) in the extruder and screw it back on
Fill the container (2) with clay
Insert it into the machine
Replace the safety pin (5)
Now crank the press head downwards. Be careful not to do this too quickly to avoid damaging your die.

How to make my own die

D ownload the Template : Start by downloading the die template to ensure your design fits the extruder barrel correctly.
Draw Your Design: Sketch your desired shape onto the template. Important: Always use slightly rounded corners in your design, as sharp angles can cause clay to jam or tear during extrusion.
Account for Shrinkage: Your final dried piece will be smaller than the die opening because clay shrinks as it dries and fires. You must calculate the die size based on the expected shrinkage rate.
- Example: If your clay shrinks by 8% and you need a final diameter of 10 mm, you cannot simply cut a 10 mm hole. Instead, you must calculate the expanded size: $10 mm/(1-0.08)\approx10.87 mm$ . Your die opening must be 10.87 mm to achieve the correct final size.
Cut the Material: Use a laser cutter to cut your design out of Plexiglas. Ensure the material is at least 12 mm thick for durability. If you don’t have a single thick sheet, you can layer two thinner sheets (e.g., 2 × 6 mm) together to achieve the necessary thickness.

Which ceramics work well?

Since clay formulations vary significantly, we recommend consulting with our team to select the optimal material for your specific project.

Common mistakes

My die is broken -> make sure the Plexiglas is at least 12mm thick. You can also make it double-layered and stack them on top of each other, for example 2x 6mm
The edges of my profile are breaking -> Make sure your die has slightly rounded corners
The wheel is too hard to turn -> Make sure the clay isn’t too dry.
My final result is the wrong size when dry -> Clay shrinks. You need to factor in the shrinkage. For a material that shrinks by 8%, a round profile that is supposed to have a final diameter of 10mm must have a die size of 10.87mm die

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Stone sawing machine

For cutting stone, glass, ceramics and concrete up to a height of 95 mm.

This machine may only be used under supervision and with prior instruction from the workshop manager.

Things of importance

Only to be used by trained students
A mask and goggles and ear protection must be worn
Do not wear gloves when sawing
Tie back long hair, do not wear loose jewellery
Never reach into the rotating saw blade
Do not leave the machine running unattended
In case of unusual noises or vibrations: switch off immediately

Manual

Check whether there is enough coolant
Clamp the material in the vice
Only push through with light pressure. It is not you who determines the cutting speed, but the saw blade
Switch off the machine before pulling back the workpiece
Only straight cuts can be made
Metal, wood, plastics and materials larger than 95 mm are prohibited from being cut on it
Clean the machine after each use