Dutch artist Rinus Roelofs is fascinated about mathematical structures and has been one of the pioneers in digital sculpting and an early adopter of 3D printing technology. He is about to unveil a 2.3 meter tall 3D printed sculpture at the RapidPro trade show to take place in the Netherlands in March.
February 16, 2016: 3D printing service provider 3Dealise has been working with the artist to bring his complex designs to life. Although not mentioned in their press release, the sculpture has probably been created using the ExOne system displayed in the picture. It is designed for sand casting foundries and produces complex sand cores and moulds. So the sculpture to be unveiled is probably made out of casted metal.
The RapidPro will take place from March 1 to 3, 2016 in Veldhoven, Netherlands.
March 2, 2016: Sculpture Unveiled
Mathematician and artist Rinus Roelofs has unveiled his giant 3D printed sculpture at the RapidPro tradeshow yesterday. It was also the first time that he saw the 2.3 metre high structure himself. Made of iron, it weighs approximately 600 kg. The sand mould for the artwork was 3D printed by 3Dealise on an ExOne system, featuring a build volume of 1800 x 1000 x 700 mm.
Sculptor Rinus Roelofs commented: “I have had the idea for this sculpture for a long time, and only in the late ‘90s the software was advanced enough to be able to design it. Since then, I have tried to realise the sculpture, which has been a challenge. First, I made a version with digitally cut layers of wood glued together. 3D printing a small version in plastic became possible a few years back. And for the first time now, it has been possible to make a life‐size version in one piece, as the sculpture was intended.”
3Dealise CEO Roland Stapper commented “This new technology is important for two reasons:
First, it demonstrates that ‘freedom of design’ is available for large items, such as this 2.3‐metre‐tall work of art. 3D printing is often associated with relatively small parts, but the benefits are equally available for large parts. A universe of new design possibilities is unlocked for artists and designers this way.
Second, because this technology is capable of producing large metal items, it shows that structurally strong and vandal proof items can be made with 3D printing. This is essential for outdoor display of works of art.”
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