Research Demonstrations from the Centre for Print Research Labs
The CFPR welcomed colleagues and collaborators to Frenchay Campus last summer to celebrate the opening of its new laboratory space. Hundreds of guests visited the site over four days, including industry partners, faculty colleagues, and new neighbours. Research demos from some of the laboratory tours were recorded and can be viewed below.
In the Ceramics Lab Dr Tavs Jorgensen and Sonny Lightfoot demonstrated the clay extruder and robotic printing for the Smart Tooling project, detailing some of their surprise research outcomes. Next door in the kiln room David Huson presented 3D printed ceramics from past projects.
Guests saw the new HAAS mill in action in the CNC Room, and got an insight into a new artist collaboration that explored 3D filament extrusion with the robotic arm. Fabio D’Agnano presented the Unesco4All project, recently selected as best practice at a flagship EU Commission event, that produced replicas for display at UNESCO World Heritage sites to aid visually impaired audiences.
In the Photography Studio, Dr Xavier Aure demonstrated his prototype scanner, capable of capturing minute details, textures and brush strokes and recently trialled on a Canaletto painting at the Holburne Museum.
Associate Professor Dr Nazmul Karim gave an overview of the Graphene Application Lab machines, used to research printmaking for wearable technologies, sustainable clothing and smart composites.
The tour concluded with demos and a stills exhibition in the main space where guests were invited to talk to researchers in more depth about their work. Additional research projects exhibited included early photographic processes, structural colour for print applications, the Kind Materials project, tissue transfer printed ceramic artworks, 2.5D printing for recreating the appearance of Maya polychrome reliefs, and book-arts publications such as the Blue Notebook Journal.
