Skip to content

Country

Language

Close (esc)

Join our mailing list

Stay up to date with the latest products, developments and thought leadership in advanced manufacturing.

How Do You 3D Print A Tortoise Shell? - 3DChimera

How Do You 3D Print A Tortoise Shell?

In 2017, Hurricane Irma swept through South Florida. Once of the unintended effects of the storm was that George, a Sulcata tortoise, escaped from his home and was hit by a car. He was rushed to the Broward Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital and came under the care of Dr. K.

George the tortoise

After stabilizing George and allowing a couple moths for recuperation, 3DChimera was asked to come in and solve a new, living, engineering problem. To create a safe, watertight, sanitary shell replacement for the area George had lost.

Using our team's deep expertise in 3D scanning, materials, and 3D printing, we were able to come up with a lifelong solution for our new friend, George. 

OUR IDEA

We brainstormed the best ways to give George a lifelong housing solution. We knew it needed to be both durable and flexible. 

Spending all their time on the ground foraging, tortoises tend to bump, scratch and grab plants that grow above them.

We knew that the best way to get the necessary fit on a replacement shell was to 3D scan George and engineer a precise fit. We also knew that the idea l material to 3D print his new shell would be PETG, a material known for being both tough and flexible enough for George to move around comfortably, yet not be weighed down.

Harnessing these 2 technologies would give us the best chance for success.

TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

We pulled the Creaform Handyscan 700 from our shelf because it can capture high-quality images during scanning and the VXElements smart algorithm will convert those images to a photorealistic mesh texture.

 Scanning George

Scan

Using Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS to convert the STL data to a STEP file, we were able to use George's exact shell data to create a prosthetic cover that would be a perfect match for his existing shell. We mounted the prosthetic with an adhesive-backed velcro since both Lenard (George's owner) and Dr. K still need access to monitor and clean the wound.

Printing shell in PETG took approximately 24 hours in-house on our German RepRap x400 3D printer, and we were able to bring the replacement in the following day to fit George. 

 Printing George's shell

Print

Concurrently, we printed a jig to place on George's existing shell to quickly and correctly mount the velcro strips in place, alongside Dr. K and her team. George's prosthetic was a perfect fit on the first try. 

 Affixing George's shell

Apply

Since then, he's had the touch of a master artist to give the appearance of a natural pattern, and keep his coverup low-key.

Painted shell

Relax

You can watch the full segment of Dr. K's Exotic Animals here or view the whole episode on Disney+ (it is season 5 episode 8!)

Older Post
Newer Post

Want to learn how advanced manufacturing can support your business?

More You Might Like

Why 3D Scan Data is Typically STL Instead of STEP

When working with 3D scanning, one of the first things you'll encounter is that the output is almost always an STL file rather than a STEP file. This distinction might seem trivial at first, but it’s rooted in the fundamental differences between these two file formats and the nature of 3D scanning technology.

How to Upgrade Your SOLIDWORKS Desktop License While on Active Maintenance

Upgrading to the latest version of SOLIDWORKS is essential for maintaining productivity and taking advantage of new features and improvements. 

The Benefits of Switching from SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing to 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS

In the ever-evolving landscape of engineering and design software, staying ahead means embracing the tools that enhan...

Shopping Cart

Announce discount codes, free shipping etc