Organising glaze formulas
John W. Conrad · Ceramics technical · 2012
Over the years i collected more than 7000 ceramics formulas and compiled them on 'Keysort' cards - an early type of IBM punch card. The experience of having formulas given to me, finding formulas in books and magazines and making my own has led me to perceive a need for a uniform organising method. Comparing one formula to another was difficult due to the fact that ingredients were expressed in a variety of names, percentages, percent by weight and/or batch weight. Several hundred formulas were collected and grew to such a large number of formulas that I developed a simplified standardised and organised system. The formula and its information were laid out using a consistent format and data outline based on 100 for the total amount of each formula. The Keysort card system works but it is tedious sorting the cards with sorting rods and by hand so this system is no longer used with the advent of the computer. The only thing that may be needed for this organisation is adding the unity formula to the data. Due to this type of organisation it is an option and may or may not be needed.