The Schiling figures at Chemnitz Castle Pond are considered to be the most valuable sculptures of the 19th century in Saxony - something that was previously not accessible to visually impaired people in Chemnitz.
In an exciting project, the Chair of Additive Manufacturing worked together with pupils from Agricola Gymnasium Chemnitz and on the initiative of ASB Chemnitz to create 3D tactile models of the impressive figures. The figures were scanned by the pupils using 3D scanners and the data was then processed by the Additive Manufacturing professorship under the direction of Prof Dr Henning Zeidler and 3D printed in the laboratory. The Dresden-based company PTZ also supported the project with a further 3D-printed set of the figures.
The tactile models have now been handed over and were used for the first time for a guided tour of the city as part of the KOSMOS Festival last weekend (13-15 June). The project makes a significant contribution to accessibility and an inclusive society. The innovative 3D printing technology is an "ingenious invention for visually impaired people", according to Lars Geithner from the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
