3D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis

This study explores the use of advanced 3D imaging and printing technologies to digitally document and physically replicate cultural artifacts from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis. By employing structured light scanning and additive manufacturing techniques, detailed digital models and...

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Main Authors: Antreas Kantaros, Panagiotis Douros, Evangelos Soulis, Konstantinos Brachos, Theodore Ganetsos, Efstathia Peppa, Eleni Manta, Elli Alysandratou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Heritage
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/2/80
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author Antreas Kantaros
Panagiotis Douros
Evangelos Soulis
Konstantinos Brachos
Theodore Ganetsos
Efstathia Peppa
Eleni Manta
Elli Alysandratou
author_facet Antreas Kantaros
Panagiotis Douros
Evangelos Soulis
Konstantinos Brachos
Theodore Ganetsos
Efstathia Peppa
Eleni Manta
Elli Alysandratou
author_sort Antreas Kantaros
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the use of advanced 3D imaging and printing technologies to digitally document and physically replicate cultural artifacts from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis. By employing structured light scanning and additive manufacturing techniques, detailed digital models and precise physical replicas of two significant artifacts were created—a humanoid ceramic vessel and a glass cup. A handheld 3D scanner was utilized for capturing intricate surface details, with post-processing methods to refine and colorize the digital models. Regarding 3D printing, both Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) were employed, tailored to the artifacts’ unique requirements for resolution and material properties. This dual approach supports heritage preservation by generating tangible educational resources and providing alternative exhibits to safeguard original artifacts. Our results demonstrate that integrating 3D scanning and printing effectively enhances the accessibility, durability, and educational utility of cultural heritage assets, offering a sustainable model for artifact preservation and study.
format Article
id doaj-art-725409297aef4535af033e7bbad65a39
institution DOAJ
issn 2571-9408
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Heritage
spelling doaj-art-725409297aef4535af033e7bbad65a392025-08-20T02:44:46ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-02-01828010.3390/heritage80200803D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of AlexandroupolisAntreas Kantaros0Panagiotis Douros1Evangelos Soulis2Konstantinos Brachos3Theodore Ganetsos4Efstathia Peppa5Eleni Manta6Elli Alysandratou7Non-Destructive Techniques Laboratory, Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Social Work, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceNon-Destructive Techniques Laboratory, Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceNon-Destructive Techniques Laboratory, Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceNon-Destructive Techniques Laboratory, Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceArchaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis, 68100 Alexandroupoli, GreeceArchaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis, 68100 Alexandroupoli, GreeceSchool of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, GreeceThis study explores the use of advanced 3D imaging and printing technologies to digitally document and physically replicate cultural artifacts from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis. By employing structured light scanning and additive manufacturing techniques, detailed digital models and precise physical replicas of two significant artifacts were created—a humanoid ceramic vessel and a glass cup. A handheld 3D scanner was utilized for capturing intricate surface details, with post-processing methods to refine and colorize the digital models. Regarding 3D printing, both Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) were employed, tailored to the artifacts’ unique requirements for resolution and material properties. This dual approach supports heritage preservation by generating tangible educational resources and providing alternative exhibits to safeguard original artifacts. Our results demonstrate that integrating 3D scanning and printing effectively enhances the accessibility, durability, and educational utility of cultural heritage assets, offering a sustainable model for artifact preservation and study.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/2/803D scanning3D printingcultural heritage preservationSLA 3D printerFFF 3D printermuseum
spellingShingle Antreas Kantaros
Panagiotis Douros
Evangelos Soulis
Konstantinos Brachos
Theodore Ganetsos
Efstathia Peppa
Eleni Manta
Elli Alysandratou
3D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis
Heritage
3D scanning
3D printing
cultural heritage preservation
SLA 3D printer
FFF 3D printer
museum
title 3D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis
title_full 3D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis
title_fullStr 3D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis
title_full_unstemmed 3D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis
title_short 3D Imaging and Additive Manufacturing for Original Artifact Preservation Purposes: A Case Study from the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis
title_sort 3d imaging and additive manufacturing for original artifact preservation purposes a case study from the archaeological museum of alexandroupolis
topic 3D scanning
3D printing
cultural heritage preservation
SLA 3D printer
FFF 3D printer
museum
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/2/80
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