3-D printing workshop

Art students had an opportunity to visit Linkwood campus for a workshop on UHI's 3-D printing facilities. I had done some research, and seen the 3-D printed jewellery work of Nora Fok. Professional technology is well-developed and the technique can be used with a wide range of organic and inorganic materials, from ceramics to cells. The chosen material is extruded according to a computer-generated model, which can be produced through scanning any 3-D object.

UHI 3-D printer in action

At UHI the technology is at the more basic end of the spectrum. The 3-D scanner is only reasonably accurate, and the only materials that can be used are plastics. That said, the main polymer, PLA (polylactic acid) is biodegradable. 

small object being scanned in 3-D scanner

scanned object

The scanner image of the small model shows some of the inaccuracies of the scanner. It is possible to take a series of scans from several angles to iron out these inaccuracies. 

However, for an art student, there is something very interesting about the limitations of the technology in replicating physical objects. 


My own work is about the role of technology, and particularly digital technology, in shaping the reality we inhabit. Although I won't be using 3-D printing to do this at the moment, it is useful to have an understanding of the technology and what it can offer the artist.