Hello Lightning Tamers!

Disclaimer (aka TLDR): This is a quick test using a 3D printed part made from conductive filament for capacitive coupling, and is not a fully realized, complete, or finished resolution to this piece nor pieces that are similar. 

If you've followed my progress on the PGC Light Lab (aka "Plasma Manifold Cart") Rebuild, you will notice a lot of my parts and solutions are 3D printed! I'm relatively new to 3D printing as well as very basic 3D modeling software like TinkerCAD and Blender, and can certainly say in these last 2 years that it has been very useful and holds lot of potential. This especially understood when it comes art and constructing custom parts for plasma light sculptures!
I mean, I've used 3d printing for manifold supports, valve supports mounts, gauges supports and fan covers, torch supports, ect!

I know I haven't talked about capacitive coupling, but we did drop a little mention of it in EP 33 | Chapter 2: Taking Shape of the Intro to Plasma Series with GEEX. I've also used it in my collaboration with Chris Ahalt on the Trohpy Moose he made in 2017. Basically its the process for which you can power  a plasma lamp without an electrode acting a mediator intersecting the glass .This is common for your classic plasma ball or plasma globe. Some methods used by designing the vessel with a cavity, coat the cavity with conductive paint, and fill with steel wool or copper wool  before adding your HV lead wire. Other's involve using conductive plates insulated from touch or use of metal or conductive tapes or coating. Basically the High Frequency electricity will travel through the glass like wifi or radio, which will light up the gas.​

The easiest place to start with adding electrodes to your pieces is to use Neon Electrodes made with compatible glass. These are still quite available for purchase, and well a majority of the time you'll be using an electrode to send power to your pieces.

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• Oxy-Propane Hand torch or Neon Splicing Torch
  • Nortel Ranger Hand torch. Nortel Mid ranger hand torch, National Hand Torch
• Blow hose with swivel

Tubulate Weld
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This method is easiest entry point for this process.

In the Hot Shop, this is done by creating a long thin neck or tube on your vessel and annealing. After it has cooled you can score and cut down the neck to your desired length.

Then you can slowly heat the glass and electrode to stick and blow. 

This approach gives you ample time and positioning to attach your electrode, though you will have to deal with the tube  sticking out of your piece.

*Also note I highly recommend reannealing the piece for structural integrity.

Another demonstration of a Tubulation Weld by Harry "Hot Hands" Schwarzrock. 

While pushing the limit in terms of the thickness of her tubulation she also provided an example of the tubulation being integrated into the shape of the vessel.

Direct Welding
In this method you'll attach your electrode using a blow hose by heating both the opening on your piece and the electrode with a torch.
Then you'll stick and blow to create an even transition between the two glass.

This can be done while the piece is on the steel (pipe/punty) on the final heat or after it has been knocked-off  as demonstrated in the video.

You will typically only get one-shot, so relax, take your time, and make it count!

Hello Lightning Tamers!
and Welcome to  Chapter X notes, These are bonus episodes to supplement the Taming lightning X GEEX collaborative series: intro to plasma, where I was inspired to expand on questions or topics from each episode.  

 As mentioned in Chapter 1, Elements of Plasma, is something I came up with as a way to organize the varying knowledge, process, skills, and techniques that goes into the completion of a plasma lamp or sculpture.  These Elements are Vessel Crafting, Alchemy, and Technology.

Now it may be a bit confusing since we use the same term, “Element of Plasma” to talk about the parts that make up the plasma vessel, instead we'll substituting with “Anatomy of Plasma Sculpture”. 

An antique Energex high frequency device used in quack medicine, turned into a leak checker with style.

A gift from Chris Clarke, Director of Operations at the Pittsburgh Glass Center

An introduction to the theory and practice of modern vacuum technology, with applications. Focuses on the understanding, operation, and selection of equipment for vacuum processes used in semiconductor, optical, and related technologies. 

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Hello Lightning Tamers!

I'm not a chemist, physicist, or engineer but I do have deep passion of plasma fueled by my interest in glass, chemistry, and technology. This is a glassblowers guide to Plasma. It may seem strange that I'm starting out with 3D Printing and Materials as opposed to what would be more fundamental. 

I will get there, and soon enough I'll introduce the basics on vessel crafting, which is to include form, structure, design, electrode attachment, and considerations prior to having the vessel filled.

By considering your materials and methods for creating your sculpture, be it for support or aesthetics. This will hopefully get you thinking about your plasma sculpture more completely, so that your glass form is designed to be integrated with a support or base.