Difference between revisions of "Ceramic industry"

{{Quality|Superior|19:13, 14 August 2014 (UTC)}}

The '''ceramic industry''' produces a variety of goods used for [[Finished goods|trade]], [[Container|storage]], [[block|construction]]s, and [[decoration]] in support of a [[fortress]]. Although the industry produces a fairly limited variety of goods when compared to others, ceramic goods are naturally worth three to ten times the [[Item value|value]] of similar goods made from common [[Stone industry|stone]] or [[Wood industry|wood]], making it a lucrative option for wealth creation. Ceramic goods are divided into three distinct categories (called wares) based on the raw materials used. Items produced from generic [[clay]] are considered [[earthenware]], items produced from [[fire clay]] are considered [[stoneware]], and items produced from the stone [[kaolinite]] are considered [[porcelain]]. In order to ensure water tight [[earthenware]] containers (i.e. [[jug]]s & [[large pot]]s), as well as to increase overall item value, [[earthenware]] items require an additional production step called [[Glazer|glazing]]. The ceramics industry also produces [[Gypsum plaster]] which is critical for Dwarven [[healthcare]]. [[Pearlash]], a critical production material for the [[glass industry]] is also created as a crossover material from the ceramic industry.

All '''ceramic goods''' are produced by a '''[[potter]]''' at a '''[[kiln]]''' which requires a [[fuel]] source.

Regardless of material category, the specific goods that can be produced are:

:[[Jug]]s, [[large pot]]s, [[block|bricks]] (clay [[block]]s), [[statue]]s, [[craft]]s, and [[hive|beehives]]. [[Furnace operator]]s produce [[gypsum plaster]] and [[pearlash]].

== Industry Requirements ==

* Resources: [[Clay]], [[Fire clay]], [[Kaolinite]], [[Ash]] (from [[Wood]]), [[Cassiterite]], and [[fuel]]

* Facilities: [[Kiln]] or [[Magma kiln]], [[Wood furnace]]

* Labors: Item [[hauling]], [[Potter]], [[Furnace operator]], [[Glazer]], [[Mining]] (for Porcelain / fuel), [[Wood cutting]] (for fuel).

== Categories of Ceramic Wares ==

==== Earthenware ====

[[Earthenware]] ceramics are made using generic [[clay]] which can be collected from any generic clay [[soil]] tile using the clay collection [[activity zone]], which are are typically the most abundant and readily available ware type. Earthenware items have a base value of 3☼ (equivalent to the highest value stone - [[obsidian]]). Earthenware items are '''not''' water proof and as such require a finishing step of [[Glazer|glazing]] should the intended final use require liquid storage. Glazing can also be used to increase the value of the item.

[[Stoneware]] ceramics can only be made from [[Fire clay]] which is a fairly rare type of [[soil]]/clay.  As with generic clay, Fire clay is collected using the clay collection [[activity zone]].  Stoneware items have a base value of 4☼.  They do not require glazing in order to be water proof.

[[Porcelain]] ceramics can only be made from the [[stone]] [[Kaolinite]], which is a fairly rare. [[Kaolinite]] is a dark red [[magma safe]] stone found in sedimentary layers that must be [[mining|mined]] rather than collected, making it a finite resource, (similar to [[crystal glass]] as used in the [[Glass industry]]). Porcelain items have a base value of 10☼ (equivalent to [[silver]].) Porcelain items are naturally water proof (do not require glazing).  While the stone itself is magma safe, it is unclear if porcelain blocks are magma safe. {{verify}}

[[Gypsum plaster]], while technically not a direct product of the ceramic industry, is produced at a [[kiln]], and can be included in your ceramic industry layout.  Gypsum plaster is used to create casts which are used for [[healthcare]].  Gypsum plaster can be created from any of the following stone types: [[gypsum]], [[alabaster]], [[selenite]], or [[satinspar]].  The stone, along with an empty bag, must be brought to a kiln where a [[Furnace operator]] will pulverize the raw stone and place the plaster powder into the bag for storage.

== Earthenware Production ==

==== Raw Material Collection: Clay ====

Earthenware ceramics require generic clay as the basic raw material. There are several types of soil that provide clay, including [[clay]], [[clay loam]], [[sandy clay]], and [[silty clay]]. To collect clay, you will need to do the following:

# Use the [[Activity zone]] ({{k|i}}) function and select an area of soil (preferably in a secure, underground area) that contains clay, then select {{k|c}} to ensure that the zone is designated for clay collection.

# Ensure that at least one Dwarf has the [[Hauling#Item hauling|item hauling]] labor enabled, which is the labor required to collect clay from a zone.

# Select a [[Kiln]] and issue a clay collection order. If you plan on producing a lot of items, it is a good idea to set this order on repeat.

As long as at least one tile of clay is available on your fortress map you will be able to harvest clay indefinitely, but there are associated problems with single source tile collection zones, for example cancellation spam will occur if there are multiple haulers attempting to collect clay while the single tile is occupied. Ideally your collection zone should contain 4-6 tiles of clay providing soil, and should increase based on your overall ceramic production goals.  Once harvested, clay appears on the map as a boulder (similar to stone boulders), and it does not require any kind of a container for storage or transport.  If there are no [[stockpiles]] set up to store the clay, the clay boulder will be left at the collection site, and will be transported by a [[potter]] once it is needed.