Xian Chizi Digital Technology studio uses 3D printing to create replicas and moulds of ancient art found in the Shaanxi province.

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As well as being able to use 3D printing to come up with brand new ideas, the technology also offers useful way to realistically recreate the past. For example, easily creating ancient replicas which require immense skill to craft by hand.

The Xian Chizi Digital Technology studio, located in China, is using 3D printing to replicate local ancient art. Xian is the capital of the Shaanxi province. Here, you can find world famous historic sites including the Terracotta Army.

Over the last ten years, the company has been working on its 3D printing methods and now uses a stereolithography machine for reliable printing results. Xi Xin, the president of the Xian Chizi Digital Technology company, told AFP:

“All the intricate details of the original design are preserved in a 3D mould… Human workers may not be able to produce everything we want in the design, but the printer can do it all.”

With hundreds of tourists visiting every year, many people want to take a piece of history home. So, the Xian Chizi Digital Technology studio creates everything from souvenirs to collectibles.

In addition to replicas, Xi’s company also creates 3D printed moulds for sculptors. The moulds are perfect for creating handcrafted artwork.

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The process of creating replicas isn’t as quick as you may imagine. In fact, Xian Chizi Digital Technology works on a design for up to three months. For elaborate designs, the printing time can be up to several weeks.

As well as this, the company doesn’t 3D print the final product. Instead, it’s mass-produced in a factory using the same material as the original relic. Xi explains: ”Our clients don’t buy our products because of the 3D printing aspect, but it does make things easier.”

For example, everything from remodelling the size of a design to recreating its exact shape. These processes can be a lot quicker and easier when working with a 3D model, as opposed to hand crafting a design.

If you’re visiting Xian, head to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor where you can buy one of Xi’s final replicas which cost between 20 yuan ($3) and 500 yuan ($74).

This isn’t the only use of 3D printing in China, either. The industry is growing quickly and is even included in the country’s national manufacturing strategy. Luo Jun, the head of the China 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance, told AFP:

“In the last five years, 3D printing in China has grown from a one billion yuan ($149 million) industry to a more than 100 billion yuan ($14.9 billion) industry… Now the scale of China’s 3D printing industry has surpassed those of Europe and the US.”

As well as this, the Chinese State Council is promoting 3D printing breakthroughs, as it states in its “Made in China 2025” industrial development plan. There may be huge growth in 3D printing in China over the next decade, so watch this space.

Source: Yahoo News