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3D and Rapid Prototyping Bureau Service
The CFPR 3D bureau was set up in 2007 with a broad range of scanning and digital manufacturing equipment. It is open to anyone to book time on the machines with one-to-one technical support - this is typically charged at £1000 per week or we can give you a price by the day or by the hour once we know your requirements. You will also have to pay for any materials used.
Our researchers can give you advice on scanning objects, creating files, printing a prototype and how you can apply 3D printing technology to your business or creative practice and we will do our best to answer all your questions and you will get hands-on experience of scanning and digital prototype manufacturing.
The team focus on creative uses for 3D technologies outside mainstream industrial design and engineering contexts in which these technologies are more usually employed to explore “radical” uses (and users) of new 3D technologies, expanding boundaries in terms of the application of the technologies, and opening up new possibilities and perspectives on creative practice. Have a look at our 3D research pages for further information http://www.uwe.ac.uk/sca/research/cfpr/research/3D/research_projects/index.html
3D printing technologies allow the creation of physical models by a variety of methods from a virtual digital file. An additive layer manufacturing process is employed to deposit a variety of materials: commonly UV polymer resins, hot melted 'abs' plastic and inkjet binder or laser sintered, powder materials. These techniques have previously been known as rapid prototyping (RP). With the advent of better materials and equipment some RP of real materials is now possible. These processes are increasingly being referred to as solid 'free-form fabrication' (SFF) or additive layer manufacture. It is widely forecast that 3D printing will become a more ubiquitous process as its potential to use a wider range of materials expands.
3D printing allows the designer or artist/maker to produce one-off bespoke artefacts without resorting to costly and time consuming conventional modelling and mould making techniques . The traditional ceramic design method involves transcribing dimensions for a design from a drawing, turning it on a lathe or modelling it in solid plaster then turning and adjusting the design as the model develops. From this a mould is made in potters plaster from which a slip cast clay model is made which is then fired and glazed. The disadvantage is this method can be a very slow and labour intensive process requiring a great deal of skill. The model is difficult to alter and modification often means starting again to adjust the shape. CNC milling uses 3D CAD software to create a virtual model which is then machined using a CNC miller out of a modelling material. The model has a potters plaster mould cast from it, it is then slip cast with clay and fired. This is a much faster process allowing the designer to make design iterations, speeding up the modelling process. The ZCorp printing method employs the 3D CAD software to develop designs which are directly printed in 3D using ZCorp material. The design process allows multiple iterations to take place and creates a model with the same shape and section as the final piece but in a plaster material that cannot be fired or take glaze, decoration or be tested for its functionality. The process can create a solid model that is used to cast a mould in potters plaster, is slip cast and fired in the usual manner.
‘The Fabrication of Three Dimensional Art and Craft Artefacts through Virtual Digital Construction and Output’ was a three year research project funded by the AHRC. One of the goals of the project was to move 3D printing from making replica prototypes to creating actual objects in ceramics and, as a result of the research, the investigators Huson and Hoskins have developed a patented ceramic material. Whilst there are several research groups working internationally in this field, Huson and Hoskins are currently at the forefront of these developments and are working with the following industrial companies to commercialise the research: Z Corporation (ZCorp), Johnson Matthey PLC, Viridis LLC and Denby Retail Ltd (Denby)
Booking the CFPR 3D bureau
You must book sessions in advance and please let us know your level of experience and as much as possible about what you would like to achieve. Please contact the CFPR Research Administrator for prices and dates on the following e-mail address: Jesse.Heckstall-Smith@uwe.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)117 3285864.Our usual opening hours are Monday-Friday 10.00am-5.00pm.
Terms and Conditions of Deposit
The organisation or individual making a booking are required to pay a deposit of 20% of the total fee upon booking. This deposit is not re-fundable if the organisation or individual do not give UWE written notice of cancellation of the booking within 14 days of a booking date.If the organisation or individual give more than 14 days of notice of cancellation prior to a booking date the deposit will be re-funded less any reasonable University of the West of England, Bristol (“UWE”) administration costs. If UWE has to cancel the booking at UWE’s sole discretion and through no cause of the booking organisation or individual UWE will refund the 20% deposit if paid by the organisation or individual and if UWE and the organisation or individual cannot reasonably agree a revised booking date.
3D and Rapid Prototyping Research
Research Projects
Links with Industry / Artists
Bureau Service
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