LPE ensures Dippy the Diplodocus keeps it head!

LPE is excited to announce that we have recently been involved in a project with the National History Museum, which involved creating replica heads of the Museum’s much loved Diplodocus (nicknamed Dippy).
Last year the head of the Diplodocus skeleton was scanned by the museum. This scan was able to capture, down to the very smallest details, the exact size and shape of the head.
The data from this scan was then used by LPE to produce eight replica heads of the iconic dinosaur using our sterolithography process. The stereolithography process was perfect for this project as it allowed the skulls to be made of a light, durable resin and it was possible to print the skulls in a single piece.
The skulls were then painted black by the experienced finishing team at LPE to match Dippy.
Five of the eight skulls produced by LPE will now be used by the Real World Science partner institutions for education. One skull will remain in London for research and study. The final two skulls will be on tour with Dippy to seven other venues in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and are expected to be seen by millions of people over the next few years.
This project is just one more example of the amazing way additive manufacturing technology can be utilised in today’s modern world and LPE is delighted to be involved in a project which will give so many people the opportunity to handle and examine the replica skulls of Dippy.
Speaking of the project Campbell Evans, sales director at LPE, said:
“The technologies used at LPE were perfect for recreating the complex free-form shape of Dippy’s skull, giving an exact copy of the scanned data.”
“The project was a really interesting one for LPE, as much of our work is for electronic housings, covers, connectors and everyday engineering components.”
“It’s not every day we see a dinosaur coming through the doors, let alone eight of them.”