Using digitization and rapid prototyping technologies to replicate an urus cranium

After its excavation and preparation, the cranium of Bos primigenius Bojanus 1827, found in Upper Pleistocene sediments of the R o Mart n Park (Ari o, Teruel), displayed a series of features that made it unadvisable to subject it to excessive handling, let alone to transport or exhibit it. Preparations for an exhibition of palaeontology in the facilities of the Cultural Park prompted us to find the solution in the production of a replica, but this had to be carried out in such a way as to involve minimal handling and no risk to the fossil remnant. Bearing this in mind, we decided to tackle the project using the technologies of digitization and rapid prototyping, allowing us to find out for ourselves the many advantages and relatively few drawbacks associated with this methodology. The digitization was carried out using the technique known as structured white light triangulation, which generated a CAD-based 3D model that allowed us to approach the replication and other aspects of the research and paleontological operation as set forth and analysed in the present paper. Subsequently, the 3-dimensional CAD solid model was used for replication by means of polyamide sintering technology, which resulted in a replica that was faithful to the original, light and easy to handle. The final step was the artistic decoration of the replica, thus achieving a high level of realism in the finish and readying the replica for the exposition and future studies, or didactical uses.