The Digital Scholarship (DS) office is always buzzing with activity over an innovative gadget, more helpful software, fresh approaches to inspiring students, or shiny new technology, but sometimes our projects turn out BIG and STRANGE.
The completed foot print, before being permanently fixed together.
We recently worked with Nadera Assim, a 2nd year PhD student in Health Sciences, to create a super-size, realistic, 3D-printed model of a human foot. The model was designed to explore the use of novel, real-world methodology through arts-based approaches to engage adult South Asian people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) who are seeking asylum. It was used in a workshop aimed to explore foot health, experiences of living with T2DM, and how the condition influences footwear choices. This work was funded by the Public Engagement with Research unit (PERu) at the University of Southampton.
The requirements for this project were intriguing, and led to weeks of research and trials by the DS team. Finding an appropriate PLA filament with which to print the model was the first issue, as we aimed towards a realistic skin appearance. The best option we found was an acceptable colour, but a satin finish rather than the preferred matte.
As the South Asian art of henna was to be an important part of the workshops, the next challenge was establishing whether henna paste would adhere to and stain PLA. Despite PLA being a nature-derived material, it lacked the keratin needed for henna dye to develop as it does on skin and hair; the conclusion was that the paste could be used as a paint but could not be wiped off to leave the recognisable henna stain.
Left: a miniature trial print of a human foot and flat square, with dots and lines of fresh henna paste.
Right: the same trial prints several days later; the henna paste has dried dark brown. One line has been rubbed off to reveal only a very faint stain line.
Obtaining the 3D model data was the next stage of the process. James, one of our 3D specialists, scanned the foot of one of Nadera’s students using our Artec Space Spider and processed this data into a mesh model. This was scaled up and divided into sections that could be printed individually, then slotted together using dowels to form the very large, finished item.
Formed of six pieces in total that took on average 24 hours each to print, the complete foot measures 1m long, 0.35m wide, 0.3m high. Surprisingly light, each piece is almost completely hollow, utilising a setting called Lightning Infill. This ensured the model was sturdy enough for handling whilst light enough to be transported easily, and reduced the printing cost.
Timelapse of the toe section being printed, with PVA supports, in our Ultimaker S5 3D printer.
After looming in our office for a short while, the subject of much interest and discussion with visitors and colleagues, the foot was collected by Nadera for her workshop. Since then, the model has been used at various community events across Portsmouth, where it continues to engage people in creative and inclusive discussions about foot health, encouraging them to reflect on and share their own experiences. A focus point for exploring foot health, it has been examined, handled, and doodled and written on.
Top: the model being written on using henna paste.
Bottom: multiple sticky notes about foot-care issues, stuck to the model.
Digital Scholarship wishes Nadera the best of luck in her doctorate, and looks forward to future projects we are already planning with her.
If you have a project involving 3D scanning and printing, please email us at digitalscholarship@soton.ac.uk and we can discuss with you what services and equipment we offer to members of the University of Southampton.
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