RIAM co-organises 3D scanning and printing demonstration for secondary and primary school students

The Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and the University Research Facility in 3D Printing (U3DP) successfully co-organised a 3D scanning and printing demonstration session for a group of students from Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College and Po Leung Kuk Luk Hing Too Primary School on 22 March 2024.

Prior to the workshop, the U3DP had received an invitation from the College to help the school in reconstructing a dolphin skeleton which the school had received from Ocean Park using PolyU’s advanced manufacturing technologies. The 3D-printed replica of the dolphin skeleton will be used as an exhibit. RIAM and U3DP arranged a demonstration session for the students, demonstrating the replication of the dolphin skull using 3D scanning and printing technologies.

The U3DP team employed specialised 3D structured light scanners, which capture the intricate details of the original dolphin skeleton from multiple angles, to generate a highly detailed and accurate digital 3D model of the skeleton. After the 3D scanning process, U3DP replicated the dolphin skeleton using Stereolithography (SLA) printing technology. This technology uses a liquid resin material that is selectively cured layer by layer using a laser. As each layer is cured, the replica of the dolphin skeleton gradually takes shape. The SLA printing process ensures that the replica closely resembles the original skeleton in terms of its geometry and surface characteristics. The level of detail and accuracy achieved through this technology allows for a faithful representation of the dolphin skeleton.

The replicated dolphin skeleton can be used for various purposes, including educational displays, scientific research, museum exhibits, or even as a visual aid in veterinary or marine biology studies. It provides a tangible and accurate representation of the original skeleton without the need to handle or potentially damage the fragile original specimen.

U3DP’s combination of 3D scanning and SLA printing technologies offers a practical and efficient solution for creating replicas of complex skeletal structures like the dolphin skeleton.

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