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WESTCAM helps with a designer nativity scene. The piece raises € 9,050 in aid of Licht ins Dunkel
State-of-the-art technology meets the early baroque infant Jesus from the oldest parish nativity scene in Tyrol dating back to 1608 – and all for a good cause.
The idea
In 2019, WESTCAM deliberately decided not to give Christmas presents and instead invested a lot of time, money, brainpower and heart and soul in this innovative and charitable project: DESIGN-KRIPPE | “Baroque meets high-tech ” – for the benefit of “Licht ins Dunkle”
The concept: “Baroque meets high-tech”
The unique WESTCAM nativity scene combines different materials and stylistic eras: the Mary, Joseph, manger and Star of Bethlehem are in a modern polygon style by renowned designer Daniel Zeisner. However, the Christ Child was not supposed to come “from the computer”, but rather be something very special – this is how the idea came about to scan the Christ Child from Tyrol’s oldest parish nativity scene in Tulfes and reproduce it using 3D bronze printing.
In the Christmas glow: subtractive & additive manufacturing
Thanks to the generous support of our partners Haumberger Fertigungstechnik, GE Additive(3D printer: Concept Laser) and Materialise, the crib elements were realized:
Subtractive manufacturing processes
For the nativity figures Mary, Joseph, manger and base plate. In subtractive manufacturing, the workpiece is produced by removing material; the manufacturing process is also known as “chipping” due to the chips removed. Starting with CAM programming and simulation in hyperMILL, high-precision milling was carried out on a 5-axis machining center at Haumberger in Lower Austria. Careful finishing by hand, microfinishing and final anodizing provided the finishing touches.
Additive manufacturing processes
For the star as a stage backdrop and the early Baroque infant Jesus. In additive manufacturing, the workpiece is created by applying material layer by layer(layer construction principle). No machining tools are required. This means that very complex structures can be realized and there are hardly any design restrictions. Very individual prototypes can also be produced in a short time, which is why it is often referred to as “rapid prototyping” called. We made use of this advantage for the prototype of the star using 3D plastic printing.
The production of the end products (“rapid manufacturing“) was realized by means of laser melting (Concept Laser with its patented LaserCUSING® process), where individual layers are joined together by melting. In the case of the Infant Jesus, these were layers of bronze, and in the case of the star, layers of aluminum.
WESTCAM & ORF raise € 9,050 for people in need
WESTCAM has provided ORF with two of these unique cribs for the Licht ins Dunkel campaign.
At the ORF III live auction gala, the WESTCAM design crib with Steffl-Sanctus achieved auction proceeds of € 5,550.
The second WESTCAM crib raised € 3,550 at the ORF Tirol online auction.
WESTCAM makes the Ö3 Christmas miracle come true: € 4,846 for the emergency aid fund
Ö3 presenter Gabi Hiller and WESTCAM have come up with a special Secret Santa gift for Robert Kratky & Andi Knoll: The Ö3 Christmas miracle crib from the 3D printer with original portrait heads of the 3 presenters. In addition to the funny Secret Santa gift, WESTCAM also provided two other nativity sets. One set was auctioned live in front of the Ö3-Wunschhütte for € 2,846. The second set was secured by the city of Villach as a souvenir for € 2,000. In total € 4.846,- for families in need in Austria. Find out more here.
We wish you good health, happiness and success for the new year 2020!
Your WESTCAM team