Denby

Production of Denby pottery started in 1809 and the brand has lasted the test of time thanks to the innovative thinking of each proprietor throughout the decades. The secret to success for such a traditional art is evolution; Denby believe that classical methods mixed with the latest technology keep them producing high quality pieces.
The newest range of tableware acclaims to this methodology. SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software was an integral part of the process, allowing designers to react quickly to focus group feedback and providing virtual geometry analysis for design refinement - saving both time and rework costs.

Form without Formality....Natural Canvas is a versatile tableware range designed for modern living. Crafted to offer all the beauty and benefits of Denby stoneware with all the appeal and simplicity of white. Made in England and hand-crafted by skilled artisans, the pieces are both beautiful and functional.
Denby’s designers worked closely with craftsmen to create ‘Natural Canvas’. Extensive research went into current food, shape and colour trends, talking to consumers and discussing everything from home interior trends through to the essential items in the kitchen and homewares. Only then throwing and turning the forms, developing the glaze and constantly refining everything until initial samples were selected.
At this stage customers were invited to pass opinion on both form and colour. The same roulette wheel that had created ‘Chevron’ by Gill Pemberton in the 60’s (see image above) gracefully used to apply the subtle texture now used to decorate ‘Natural Canvas’.  Initial reaction was good but it was felt that the texture from the roulette was too deep which made the glaze change colour and distract from the clean look we required.

Back to the drawing board……….or in this case Solidworks. Recreating the hand thrown forms in the software, Denby was able to use Solidworks not only to rebuild and refine the shapes but also to mirror the 60’s technique of hand applied texture. The original handles, which had been created by extruding clay through a narrow section and hand applying to the pots was lovingly recreated, using the loft feature built into the software gave the design team full control of both the handles and spouts. Denby have found the combination of surface and solid functionality especially useful where softer more organic shapes are required. Working around the rims of the hollowware items…………jugs, mugs and teacups for example is a common design detail that requires a sensitive touch and several variations of the finished pots could be seen quickly within the programme before committing to a costly final design.
The parametric capability of Solidworks was one of the main reasons Denby invested in the software and it allows the designers the freedom to make changes quickly and easily without having to start from scratch. Several iterations of the final designs can easily be rendered for presentation or 3D printed. Denby’s marketing team have also found the renders useful both for brand literature and to leverage customer feedback via online surveys.
Once all the capacities were checked within the software, Denby were then able to adjust the depth of the chevrons to just 0.3mm deep. This texture was reapplied to all the forms. Samples were 3D printed directly from Solidworks.
From these models, moulds were made and new samples created. This time the glaze flowed over the surface of the samples and left a clean look both for the Designers and Denby’s customers.