Aug. 14, 2014
August 12 was the World Elephant Day. World Animal Protection (WAP) launched a campaign "Get off the elephant back" in the Netherlands. In order to raise the awareness to the people the suffering of the elephants, WAP is calling all Dutch not to ride an elephant again.
From August 12 through August 30, a life-size elephant will be printed on site at Amsterdam Schiphol airport. Five Ultimaker 3D printers have been modified and set up on a 2.5 meter high column in a pop-up pavilion in Schiphol. The printers can move up the column to print super high objects. With this method a life-size elephant can be printed out in three weeks.
This project is a collaboration between World Animal Protection, FHV BBDO, Ultimaker, Mini Vegas and 3D designer Joris van Tubergen. "A regular 3D printer takes months to print such a large object." Tubergen said. "By printing with five of these printers simultaneously in high columns the print time can be drastically reduced. I am also very curious about the result. It's the first time I make such a large print, not to mention an elephant! "
All people can make a pledge on WAP's campaign website, and for every pledge the printers will print a bit further in Schiphol. This is the first ever 3D printed petition, according to WAP.
During the printing process, the names of all participants will also be printed on the elephant, in a special font, Elephant which looks like the elephant's skin. The 3D printing process is live on its site so everyone can follow the development.
Exploring wilderness on the back of an elephant is popular in the tourism industry in countries like Thailand and Nepal. Most elephants are illegally caught at a young age. Between performances and rides by tourists, elephants are often day and night on a chain. And almost always the elephants will be overworked, overloaded and the victim of repeated beatings.
Pascal de Smit, director of World Animal Protection said: "We find a petition in the form of a life-size 3D printed elephant a unique and innovative way to draw people's attention to elephants' suffering. " As of writing, 7416 people have made pledges. "Every pledge is support," said de Smit.
via Adformatie
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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