Replicating Historical Artifacts: Robert Morris Bust Case Study

This paper is a case study on the digitization of a nearly 100-year-old clay pattern used for duplication of statues and busts of Robert Morris, an American Revolutionary War hero. The Robert Morris University engineering department researched the use of reverse engineering and rapid prototyping technologies in history and anthropology studies and digital preservation of artifacts. Successful results of this project relied on intelligent engineering solutions such as fabrication of a manually driven rotary table for the oversized and heavy pattern and the use of Geomagic software. The initial stage was completed with the replication of resin and thermoplastic copies of the pattern. Dimension and SLA Viper machines helped accomplish the duplication task. Stainless steel bronze composite replicas were also successfully built by the EX ONE Company.