The production of a miniature chocolate model of Myron’s Athena demonstrates how advanced scanning and additive layer manufacturing technologies are being used to provide innovative, customer-tailored solutions for the food industry.
In 2009, the Liebieghaus Antique Sculpture Collection in Frankfurt, Germany celebrated its centennial anniversary. On this occasion, the prestigious museum and art gallery housing many classical works of art has offered its visitors the opportunity to purchase chocolate miniatures of Myron’s Athena, one of the most recognizable statues of the museum’s collection. The sweet, high-end replica has been realized thanks to advanced scanning and additive layer manufacturing technologies applying NanoTool(tm) ProtoComposite(tm) resins by DSM Somos.
The challenging project of transforming the 1.73 meter life-sized Athena statue into a minute 7 cm, 3-dimensional data set and subsequent production of a chocolate miniature has required the know-how pooling of a variety of industry experts. The end result, an imaginative and tasteful souvenir, demonstrates the significant potential with these high-tech manufacturing techniques for new product development and for the food industry in general.
The realization of a pattern that can in turn be used to create an equally highly complex mould is a project that triggers interest across many industries. Prof. Dr. Vinzenz Brinkmann, Head of the Collection of Antiques of the Liebieghaus and a world-renowned authority in the reproduction of ancient works of art, commissioned Munich-based Alphaform Group with the production of the highly detailed miniature master pattern of Myron’s Athena.
The master pattern was based on high definition scans and consequently realized with Somos(R) NanoTool(tm). This unique stereolithography resin is a third-generation ProtoComposite(tm) material from DSM Somos that offers strong, stiff, temperature-resistant characteristics. Moreover, it produces parts demonstrating superior sidewall quality and unprecedented surface smoothness - critical elements in producing such high definition detail in the small pattern. Heavily filled with non-crystalline nanoparticles, NanoTool(tm) allows for fast processing and reduced finishing requirements that also speed part production.
Alphaform’s Production Director, Ralf Deuke confirms: “For this project, we recommended stereolithography (SL) additive technologies using Somos(R) NanoTool(tm) for the production of the master pattern. NanoTool(tm) has generally become known as ‘the’ prototype material for high-temperature and wind-tunnel applications, but one of the material's fastest growing application areas is high-end, precision design. Even taking into account all of the latest developments in 3D manufacturing technologies and materials, NanoTool(tm) is really the only material option for capturing — and maintaining — fine details.”
The high definition master pattern made with Somos(R) NanoTool(tm) has subsequently been translated by Clement Chococult into a mould made from FDA approved silicone, enabling the Bitter & Zart Chocolaterie of Frankfurt to produce the chocolate miniatures.
The making of Athena’s chocolate statues has evidenced the full potential of additive layer manufacturing and the superior quality of Somos(R) NanoTool(tm) to create unprecedented results in new industry fields.
For commercial information on DSM Somos: Anna Hoiss, Manager Business Development - Europe, DSM Somos. Email: anna.hoiss@dsm.com
This blog has been set up for editors, reviewers, authors and readers of Elsevier's Analytical Chemistry Journals - all of which can be seen below. It will be updated from Monday to Friday with general news and announcements concerning the titles listed on this page. It should be noted that the views or claims made in the news items and feeds are not necessarily those of the Publisher.
No comments:
Post a Comment