The company proves it’s up to the Tusk with 3D-Printed African elephant, which is believed to be the largest 3D printed animal in the world.
Birmingham, UK-based large format print business, Andesign, has deployed a jaw-dropping 3.5m-high x 2m-long (11.5ft x 6.56ft) African elephant, a Massivit 1800 3D printing solution. Once 3D printed, the impressive mammal was given a coat of paint to ensure added realism. It can now be seen smashing through the wall of the company’s Sutton-Coldfield premises. This will serve as a permanent fixture to underscore Andesign’s ability to get its customers noticed with high-impact creative projects.
The world’s largest land mammal was seen ‘crashing’ through the side of a Sutton Coldfield business premises – in a stunt promoting a first for the Midlands. Yup! It is an African elephant’s head, popping out of the side of Andesign in Minworth, marked the launch of the company’s new 3D design capabilities – made with the world’s biggest 3D printer – the Massivit 1800.
The huge 3D printer, one of just three in the country and around 30 in Europe, was used to create what the company is calling ‘the world’s biggest 3D printed animal’. The huge trunk, tusks, face and ears appear to be bursting from the side of Andesign’s headquarters in Forge Lane – marking a £500,000 investment in the state-of-the-art large format printer, which could be possible with the help of some government funding.
Made from nine pieces (three for the head, two tusks, two ears, the trunk and one for the top of the body), which became 10 after an accident!, the elephant took five days to make and was eight weeks in the planning, with the largest element taking 17 hours to print. It is made from hard wearing resin gel.
According to a report published in Birmingham Mail, the structure stands 3.5 metres high and is a permanent fixture to show off the company’s 3D printing capabilities. Now, it would also serve as a landmark for anyone visiting the venue! The company joked it was bigger than Birmingham Bullring’s Bull.
Speaking on the occasion, the founder of Andesign – Andy Williams has been quoted as saying that the company has been on an incredible journey for more than two decades now. “With loyal employees and customers and challenges along the way, the company, which he started with a Peugeot 106, a trailer and a ladder, has pushed the boundaries with new technology and investment. Now it’s a whole new world of 3D printing.”
With Massivit 3D 1800, the possibilities are endless. Based on the facilities that Andesign has accumulated over the years, the company believes that it can actually print anything. “As long as we can get a file or a 3D design – we can print it.” The Massivit 3D 1800 printer will be used to create promotional, retail and exhibition material. It can be used to print a life-size car or a double-sized human – the only limit is the imagination.
Jaguar Land Rover, One of Andesign’s clients, has a similar car bursting out of its Castle Bromwich site, but it’s not a 3D-printed one. However, at Harrods in London, the company is planning to deploy a 3D-design that will be appearing in the shop’s window. In the summer Andesign had created a Robinson’s bottle made of tennis balls used to promote the company’s Wimbledon tie up. It also does work for National Express, Aston Martin and McCann Erikson. And now that creative thinking has the cutting edge tech to make more ideas a reality.
For the enthusiasts like Andesign’s founder the business has always been at the forefront and taken risks. “We have invested half-a-million-pounds in the machine and finishing facilities. We wanted something different. We printed the elephant as we wanted to push the machine to the limits. That’s what we have to do in business. If the client says ‘I want a life-size elephant’ we can do it!”
The highpoint of this achievement is the CSR motive of Andesign, which presented a cheque for £250 to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation which helps to protect elephants in the wild. And every 3D order they receive in the next 12 months, will also see further £50 donations to the charity.