Getting to grips with 3D printed bones: Using 3D models as ‘diagrams’ to improve accessibility of palaeopathological data

This short report details a sub-project of ‘Stories through Skeletons’ an interdisciplinary venture undertaken by the Osteoarchaeology and Bioengineering departments at the University of Southampton. As part of this project, the team has been exploring the potential of using 3D printing technology to improve accessibility of palaeopathological data to a wider audience, through the production of tactile aids. To test this idea, models were created of Langer type mesomelic dwarfism exhibited in a skeleton from the Romano-British cemetery site of Alington Avenue, Dorset, UK. The 3D models were used as props during osteoarchaeology conference presentations and have proved useful to visually impaired and non-disabled audiences alike. Methods used to create the 3D models and the feedback received from the preliminary showing of the models at conferences are outlined, including the development of the idea of the 3D models as ‘diagrams’. This highlights the creation of accessibility tools as another potential use of 3D technology in the field of osteoarchaeology and in so doing, adds the issue of accessibility to the ethical debates surrounding the use of 3D modelling technology in physical anthropology more broadly

3D printing in tourism : an answer to sustainability challenges?

Purpose: The paper aims to explore the potential for using 3D printing technology as a more sustainable tool in various areas of the tourism and hospitality industry in Cyprus. Design/methodology/approach: For the purpose of this study, qualitative research was conducted to explore the potential for 3D printing technology deployment in Cyprus and specifically in tourism and hospitality settings. Interviews were conducted with industry professionals and practitioners using a snowball sampling method. Findings: The tourism and hospitality industry currently uses 3D printing technology mainly to assist with the restoration of cultural heritage, sites but there is significant potential to implement 3D printing more widely in support of other building work, souvenirs and food items. Originality/value: The paper explores current applications and the wider potential for using 3D technology in building, restoration of cultural heritage, souvenirs and food-related printing that together could contribute to a more sustainable tourism and hospitality industry in Cyprus

Experiencing cultural heritage sites using 3D modeling for the visually impaired

There is a need to make cultural heritage sites accessible to all individuals, including those who are visually impaired. 3D printing technology provides the capability to print models of cultural heritage structure as teaching tools for the visually impaired. As well, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have undergone significant advances in equipment capabilities and now have the ability to obtain high resolution images in a cost effective and efficient manner in order to create 3D models for 3D printing. This paper explores the use of UAVs to acquire high resolution images to generate 3D models that are printed using lowcost 3D printers intended to serve as a teaching aid for the visually impaired. A case study is presented for the Curium archaeological site

Use of 3D virtual models and physical replicas to enhance user experience within heritage applications

Museums are dedicated to preserving the legacy of the past and educating their visitors, both practices at odds with each other. The rise of multisensory experiences in museology has emphasized the use of touch as a pedagogical tool, but this risks destruction of precious museum objects. The art of3D printing has the potential to overcome this conservational barrier, but such applications are typically ad-hoc, with little design consideration. Furthermore, there is a lack of research into developing best practices for the creation of tangible 3D printed replicas. This thesis employed user experience (UX) methods from consumer industries with pragmatic mixed-methods in order to explore this issue. The research questions addressed a number of issues: 1) The perceptions of museum visitors in regard to 3D printed replicas; 2) The design considerations for replicas in order to provide positive UX for audiences; 3) How they can benefit museum audiences; 4) How they can benefit blind and partially-sighted (BPS) individuals; 5) How replication impacts wider museum practice; 6) How effective UX methods are in understanding museum audiences. Over the course of four studies, a number of key findings were elucidated: •Museum visitors expressed positivity towards the concept of tangible 3D printed replicas but had a limited understanding of it. •Preference was strongly dependant on verisimilitude, a one-dimensional requirement, while print quality was a must-be requirement. •BPS perception was reliant on multisensory interpretation. Object and material judgements were interrelated, highlighting the complex design problems in 3D printing for BPS audiences. •Replicating an object can result in unexpected insights, resulting in novel research opportunities. A set of best design practices were created and a number of emergent research topics highlighted that were unable to be fully explored. These included the preferences of younger visitors, empirical assessment of the impact of3D printed replicas and how print properties truly influence BPS perception

D6.6: 7 conference papers

The Deliverable 6.6 with the title “7 conference papers”, is part of WP6 “Dissemination and Exploitation” of Athena project with a basic aim to knowledge sharing, network development and exposure to an international environment. Three conference attendances were foreseen (e.g. CAA; SPIE; EARSeL) within the project duration whereas more than 30 posters and oral presentations were presented during the project in the conferences such as: SPIE 2016, SPIE 2018, EUROMED 2016, EUROMED 2018, EGU 2016, EGU 2017, EGU 2018, RSCy2016, RSCy 2017, RSCy 2018, etc