There is no more iconic manifestation of British engineering excellence than the Spitfire plane. The aircraft's speed and agility were crucial for the successful defence of the United Kingdom during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
The first prototype Spitfire took to the skies from Southampton airport in 1936; the RAF immediately placed an order for 310 Spitfires to be made at the Submarine Factory in Woolston, Southampton. A total of 20,351 Spitfires were built, there are only 35 flightworthy aircraft left.
Such is Southampton's deep connection with the Spitfire it seems only apt that to digitise one of the few remaining MK24's a team of 3D technology experts are taking to the Solent Sky Museum, Southampton to demonstrate how we keep an eternal record of these magnificent vessels. 3D technologies - scanning, modelling software and printing - offer a precise way not only to digitise and conserve the past but to rebuild it.
3D printing and scanning experts, isodo3d, headquartered in Southampton, is hosting a festival of engineering excellence, From Hand to Scan, next month.
The event hosted in collaboration with fellow 3D tech experts, Faro, Solid Solutions, Frazer-Nash Manufacturing, Graitec Group, 3T RPD and North Star Imaging, takes place in the Solent Sky Museum on June 22nd and June 23rd.
Attendees will be able to see the live demonstrations of the complete process involved with reverse engineering a Spitfire from initial scans using Faro's imaging equipment, to the 3D printing of plastic parts. There will also be a host of talks on how the professionals strip down the engineering using noninvasive technologies and then rebuild parts be they printed in metal or plastic.
There's even a chance to win a flight in one of those remaining 35 Spitfires, for more information check out handtoscan.com
