Traditionally, sculptural bronze art is created by layering clay onto an armature or sculpting in wax. The model is created at roughly the size it is to be in bronze. The model is then sectioned, molded and the sculpture proceeds through the
Lost Wax Casting Process. A physical model is always required in order to make the mold. Using the traditional sculpting method, additional sizes of the same sculpture would need to be sculpted separately at each size required. Inspired Bronze adopted 3D modeling, sometimes referred to as 3D Sculpting, and Rapid Prototyping, also referred to as 3D Printing, technologies to allow for multiple bronze trophy sizes using a single artwork file. Additionally,
3D modeling and Rapid Prototyping allow for highly detailed sculptural aspects at smaller bronze award and trophy sizes. Learn more about the differences between
traditional sculpture and 3D modeling / Rapid Prototyping here.
3D printing or
additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects (the sculpture model) from a
digital file. 3D printing is achieved using
additive processes, where an object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printing is considered distinct from traditional machining techniques (
subtractive processes) which mostly rely on the removal of material by drilling, cutting etc.
The use of additive manufacturing takes virtual designs from
modeling software, transforms them into thin, virtual, horizontal cross-sections and then creates successive layers until the model is complete. It is a process where the virtual model and the physical model are almost identical.
With additive manufacturing, the machine reads in data from a 3D Model File and lays down successive layers of liquid, powder, or sheet material, and in this way builds up the model from a series of cross sections. These layers, which correspond to the virtual cross section from the 3D model, are joined together or fused automatically to create the final shape. The primary advantage to additive fabrication is its ability to create almost any shape or geometric feature in very high detail.
Call us today at
888.451.5561 for more information on 3D modeling and how we can use this technology to turn your ideas into stunning reality.