PotteryTech Simulator v60.9

Welcome to PotteryTech

Simulate kiln physics, element balancing, and flux chemistry.
Warning: Heat work is not infinitely cumulative. Beware of Flux Saturation.
Educational Simulation Only.

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📘 Guide & Information

Capabilities: What the Simulator Can & Cannot Do

✅ What it CAN simulate

Thermodynamics: Simulates PID controller adjustments, ambient heat loss, and thermal mass.
Heat Work Calculations: Calculates Orton Cone bending based on time *and* temperature, not just static target temps.
Chemical Phases: Tracks time spent in critical zones like Water Smoking, Carbon Burnout, and Quartz Inversion.
Decorating Firings: Simulates covercoat burnoff and ventilation issues for decals/lusters.
Catastrophic Failures: Demonstrates steam explosions from fast ramping and meltdowns from over-firing.
Hardware Wear: Allows you to lower element capacity to see how old or broken coils affect a firing schedule.

❌ What it CANNOT simulate

Glaze Chemistry: Does not simulate glaze color changes or specific glaze ingredient reactions.
Kiln Atmospheres: Assumes an electric oxidation environment. It cannot simulate gas reduction, wood firing, or raku.
Cooling Cycles: Currently focuses on the heating ramp; it does not simulate slow cooling holds for crystalline glazes.
Exact Real-World Guarantees: Every physical kiln has unique insulation, drafts, and thermocouple wear. This is an educational tool, not a replacement for kiln sitting!

Step 1: 🧱 Firing Mode & Material

❶ Select your Firing Mode. Bisque is for raw clay, Glaze is for pre-bisqued ware, and Decorating is for low-fire enamels, lusters, and decals.

❷ Select your Clay Preset (e.g., Stoneware). This tells the simulator the maximum heat the clay can handle before melting.

Step 2: 📅 Creating a Schedule

We usually build schedules in segments. Depending on your mode, different phases require different care:

Part A: Manual Entry (Drying/Candling)

In Bisque mode, use the "Segment Entry" box to dry pots slowly so they don't explode.

TRY THIS:
• Rate: 80 (Slow speed)
• Target: 150 (Just past boiling point)
• Soak: 0
• Click + Add Segment

Part B: The Final Firing (Cone Calculator)

Use the "Cone Calculator" box to finish the firing accurately based on Orton Cone charts.

Select Target Cone (e.g., Cone 6).
Select Final Rate button (e.g., 60° for slow/safe).
Click 🖩 Calculate & Fill. The system will do the math for you.
Click + Add Segment to add this calculated step to your list.

Part C: Decorating Firings (Decals/Enamels)

When using this mode, keep the ramp extremely slow (under 100°C/hr) up to 450°C, and ensure the ventilation bung is OPEN to allow organic covercoats to burn off cleanly.

Step 3: ⚡ Hardware & Firing

❶ Ensure the Hardware sliders (Top/Bottom Capacity) are at 100%. Lowering these simulates broken/old elements.

❷ Click ▶ Start PID Program under the kiln picture.

❸ Watch the diagnostic charts at the bottom to see how the elements keep up with your schedule.

📄 FIRING SCHEDULE REPORT

CLAY BODY: EARTHENWARE

CONE PACK: Guard ^04 | Target ^03 | Witness ^02

Seg	Rate	Temp	Hold

EST. TOTAL TIME: 0h 0m

Temp Converter

⇄

🧱 Material Specs

Load Clay Preset:

Max Temp (°C)

Max Cone

🔥 Firing Mode & Targets

Select Process:

Bisque Mode: Steam explosion risks are active. Ensure a slow initial ramp.

📊 Target Heat Chart

Material / Process	Target Cone	Approx Peak (°C)
Earthenware	^06 to ^04	1000 - 1060
Stoneware	^5 to ^6	1190 - 1220
Porcelain	^9 to ^10	1280 - 1305
Decorating Firings
Lusters / Gold	^019 to ^018	680 - 720
Decals / Enamels	^017 to ^015	740 - 800

📅 Controller Setup

Start Temp (°C):

🎨 Decorating Variables

📋 Studio Prep & Safety Checklist

Water: Always change water frequently. Dirty gum water leaves a matted, transparent stain.
Squeegee: Always use a decorating squeegee. Air bubbles prevent fusing to the glaze.
Bone Dry: Decals, lustres, and gold must be completely dry before firing.
Ventilation: Always leave the kiln bungs OUT to vent toxic fumes outside. Do NOT work in the same area during burn-off.
Temperatures: Always check manufacturer recommended temperatures to avoid damaging ceramics.

Kiln Bungs Open (Ventilation to 450°C)

1. Segment Entry (Main Controls)

Rate (°C/hr)

Target (°C)

Soak (Mins)

2. Cone Calculator (Auto-Fill) Target Cone: Final Hour Rate:

#	Rate	Target	Soak

🏗️ Kiln Profile

Select Kiln Size:

⚡ Hardware

Top Capacity: Bottom Capacity:

System Capacity: 100%

⚠️ Low Power: High temps may fail.

📦 Kiln Loading

Simulate Load Density

Density: 100% (Standard)

🔥 Chamber & Heat Work

1s = 1min.

20°C

                        SETPOINT: 20°C
                    

😐

HEAT WORK SATURATION

Material Work

Excess Flux

Status: Ready

📉 Thermal Curve

Target Schedule

Planned Path

Actual Temp

Real Reading

Water Smoking

Bisque: 20°C - 200°C

Covercoat Burnoff

Decorating: 20°C - 450°C

Carbon Burnout

Bisque: 300°C - 800°C

Flux Saturation

> 100% Maturity

⚡ Power & Ramp Rate Profile

Element Power Use

0 - 100% Capacity

Target Ramp Rate

Programmed °C/hr

Actual Ramp Rate

Physical °C/hr

Target Temp

Actual Temp

Heat Work

Chem Zones

Max Cap

Labels

🎥 CONE CAM (Analysis View)

Orton Cone Pack (3-Cone System)

GUARD
--

TARGET
--

WITNESS
--

Temperature

20°C

Target Bend

0°

Pack Status

Heating...

⏪ History Playback

Time

0:00

Temp

0°C

Set

0°C

Cone

📊 Analysis Report

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