Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • UTECH Asia/PU China
  • UTECH Europe
  • UTECH India
  • UTECH Middle East
  • UTECH Southeast Asia
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Ukraine
  • News
    • Asia
    • Americas
    • Europe
    • M & A
    • Financial results
    • Automotive
  • Data
  • Information
    • Country Overview
    • Market Sector overviews
    • Technical articles
    • Company profiles and strategies
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Conferences
    • Webinars / Livestreams
    • Become a Speaker
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Issues
  • Subscribe
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
June 04, 2015 12:00 AM

3-D print PU foam statue model unveiled

Jane Denny
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More

    Quebec City, Canada -- The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Laval University in Quebec City has created a 3D print version of Canada’s 7th Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, using PU foam as the main agent.

    The 7ft model, printed in three sections, took 38 hours from start to finish. Accuracies of around 1cm were achieved, researchers said, with 275 litres of polyurethane and about 23 litres of shaving cream used.

    “The objective of this project is to create automated robot-driven fabrication technology capable of producing large-scale architectural prototypes,” said Eric Barnett, of the university’s Robotics Laboratory.

    The team set out to 3D print a large statue of, not from thermoplastic, clay, or even metal, but out of standard polyurethane foam. Moving things even more outside the box, they didn’t use a typical Cartesian or Delta-based 3D printer, instead opting for a cable-suspended robotic printer.

    “The printer workspace is approximately 1m cubed, but could be expanded relatively easily —this is one of the main advantages of using a cable-suspended system,” Barnett said.

    “The printer is currently capable of approximately 1cm resolution, with deposited paths being 1cm high and 12mm wide.” he added.

    The project was funded by Canada's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the process is available to view on YouTube.

    Recommended for You
    bricks 800
    Brick waste shows potential as filler in rigid PU insulation
    piab bxp suction cups 800
    Piab extends its range of PU suction cups
    Lunaz Aston Martin DB6
    PU dispersions for Aston Martin restomod interior
    Latest Issue
    november 2023
    Get the latest edition here
    View All Archives
    Get our newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Register to access our archive of leading information on the polyurethanes industry.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube

    Follow us on social media for the latest polyurethanes industry news and event updates.

    Logo
    Contact Us

    Crain Communications
    11, Ironmonger Lane
    London
    EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom

    Editorial
    Phone +44 (0) 20 3287 5935
    Email click to send

    Customer Service
    Phone +1 313 446 0450
    Email click to send

    Resources
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Staff
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Ukraine
    • News
      • Asia
      • Americas
      • Europe
      • M & A
      • Financial results
      • Automotive
    • Data
    • Information
      • Country Overview
      • Market Sector overviews
      • Technical articles
      • Company profiles and strategies
    • Events
      • Exhibitions
      • Conferences
      • Webinars / Livestreams
      • Become a Speaker
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Issues
    • Subscribe