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3D Model Helps Coastal Management
The BlueSky aerial mapping company has created a revolutionary 3D map-accurate model of the Teign Estuary in
There are really no limits to the number of tiles that can be used to produce the final model. Sarah Clark and Graeme Smith of the Teign Estuary Partnership and a physical model of the Teign Estuary.
By Job van Haaften
Communicate the Priorities
The 3D model has been used in a series of public consultations aimed at engaging members of the public with the Partnership and communicating the Partnership’s priorities and vision for the future in advance of the publication of its Estuary Management Plan. “It is no longer enough just to sit back and watch,” said Graeme Smith, Estuary Officer. “In order to protect and conserve what we have and create a sustainable future for the estuary, we have to actively manage the area. This model has proved invaluable in communicating future management plans to members of the public; they can engage with the model and easily visualize future projects.”
Balancing Different Interests
The Teign Estuary Partnership, led by Teignbridge District Council, brings together statutory agencies with an interest in the area -- the Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Teignmouth Harbour Commission, English Nature -- and also involves around 100 stakeholder organizations, groups and local clubs. The Partnership’s vision is to work together towards a sustainable future for the estuary, balancing different interests, protecting natural resources and pursuing opportunities for improvement.
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The model is built in layers consisting of a high-performance composite powder, a liquid binder and ink. It is fast, and that reduces costs. The printer has no problems with parts that hang over, protrusions or chains. A vacuum and vibration system automatically removes as much as 80 per cent of loose powder and recycles it for future use. The remaining powder can be removed with lightly compressed air in a fully-enclosed chamber that vacuums away the powder. Unlike many other systems, there are no physical support structures to remove with scraping tools. The Z450 produces realistic colour models without paint. The model is finished and strengthened by dipping it in Z-Bond sealant, dripping Z-Bond over the model or lightly brushing it with Z-Max. Some Specifications The Z450 has two print heads, one tricolor and one clear. The colours can be printed with a maximum resolution of 300 x 450 dpi. Files with models in STL, VRML and PLY can be printed directly. The printer is compatible with Windows 2000 professional and Windows XP Professional. The minimum thickness is 0.089 – 0.102 millimeters. Certain data may have to be modified when this minimum thickness is not attained. The printer produces two to four layers per minute with a thickness of 0.089 to 0.102 millimeters. The size of a model can be up to 203 x 254 x 203 millimeters (8 x 10 x 8 inches). A larger model can be split into adjacent parts. Spectrum Z510 The Spectrum Z510 from Z Corporation goes further. The model size can be increased to 254 x 356 x 203 millimeters (10 x 14 x 8 inches). The material used to produce the model is a flexible composite (elastomere). The maximum resolution is 600 x 540 dpi and the printer has four print heads. The 24-bit color accurately reflects the original data. The software provides texture mapping, feature colouring, annotation and labelling capabilities. |
Composite Powder
What is 3D printing?
You may have seen architectural models on display showing what a new building will look like when completed. 3D printing is a new technology that automatically produces similar physical models from computerized 3D images.
Who would benefit from a 3D print?
Visualizations on a computer screen are not as lifelike as a physical model that people can see for themselves. 3D printed models are ideal for presentations and public displays. They can be produced for cities, specific sites, buildings or entire regions. The uses are very diverse and include: planning applications, redevelopment / regeneration schemes, transport infrastructure planning, environmental management, mining and exploration, tourism, pollution modelling, line-of-sight analysis and manufacturing.
What are the origins of 3D printing?
In the 1980s a technology called rapid prototyping evolved: for the first time physical objects could be automatically constructed. This technology was used mainly to produce mechanical prototype parts, allowing the rapid production of quality parts in relatively small numbers.
How has 3D printing evolved?
3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other rapid prototyping technologies. With cost reductions and faster processing, automated 3D model production is becoming more viable for a much wider market.
How does it work?
A 3D printer uses a gypsum and glycerine based composite (gypsum is the mineral that plaster is based on). Layers of the fine powder are selectively bonded by ‘printing’ a water-based adhesive from the inkjet printhead in the shape of each cross-section as defined in the 3D image file. This technology also allows full-colour printing with ink applied layer by layer as soon as the powder is laid.
What software is required?
Like conventional printers, 3D printers are designed to print using industry-standard outputs – in this case from CAD, GIS and 3D visualization software. It is essential for the models to be 100% complete and ‘volumetrically sealed’ in order for 3D prints to be successful.
Aerial mapping exists for many areas, and some aerial photography companies offer a 3D visualization service. Here the aerial photography is basically ‘draped’ over a digital elevation model to create a 3D model that is a true representation of the landscape or cityscape.
Can additional information be printed on the model?
Yes, additional information can be added prior to printing. A good example is contour data that can be generated automatically from the elevation data. Symbols, zones and proposed roads or developments, for example, could be added.
Yes, the original data itself can be modelled by software. This would allow a sequence of models to be produced showing change over time, for example a quarry or landfill with extraction stages and final reinstate-ment, or an expanding property development.
A 3D model can be used for public consultations.
How accurate are the models?
The 3D print will be as accurate as the digital model provided and, with a resolution similar to a laser printer, every detail can be printed. The scale will, of course, have a big impact on exactly how much detail can be seen. How big can models be? The size of an individual 3D model depends on the 3D printer used. Each model can, however, be part of a larger model, in effect forming a tile, and there are really no limits to the number of tiles that can be used to produce the final model.
How durable are the models?
As soon as printing is finished, the models are set in resin and oven baked so they handle like baked clay or pottery. They can be picked up and handled in small groups but it is recommended that they are fixed down when on public display.
Is it best to buy a printer or to use a service bureau?
3D printers are still relatively costly and their operation requires care and fully-trained operators with 3D modelling experience. It makes sense to take advantage of the 3D printing services on offer. However, if you have the resources and the demand, purchasing a 3D printer is certainty worth considering.
Job van Haaften (jvanhaaften@geoinformatics.com) is editor of GeoInformatics. With special thanks to BlueSky, Contex and Z Corporation. Listed below are several URLs for additional information:
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