CPT International 02/2019

The Kinetic Assembly Structure reflects the materialization
of a train of thought. The lines form an infinite
loop. voxeljet printed the models of the complex
sculpture in several parts.
The stool „Infiniala“ by designer
Sergej Ehret: Future of Sculpture.
With voxeljet 3-D printing systems,
even the most complex
sculptures that would have been
impossible using traditional molding
techniques can be realized.
3-D printing systems evolutionize
traditional art casting
Art foundry Strassacker creates artistic works using 3-D printing systems by voxeljet
Frederik von Saldern, Friedberg; Peter Mühlhäuser, Süßen
Photos: Voxeljet
Strassacker, one of the oldest and
largest art foundries in Europe, is
modernizing art casting with 3-D
printing from voxeljet, Friedberg, Germany.
The printing technology is used
to create investment casting patterns
and increases the artists’ freedom of
design. Artworks which previously could
not be produced using traditional molding
techniques can now be printed
directly in the form of a casting pattern.
Have you heard of The Bambi
Award? The German Media and Television
Prize, which is awarded annually to
people with visions and for outstanding
achievements? The award winners
include world stars such as Christoph
Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson and Kate
Winslet. But far less known is the company
that produces the coveted bronze
deer: the family owned company Strassacker
from Süßen near Stuttgart. Since
it was founded in 1919, the company
has evolved from the manufacture of
pasta machines and everyday objects to
the production of numerous precious
artworks. The company has made a
name for itself especially in the art
industry and is now a well-known
player. Their customers include world
renowned contemporary artists, who
rely on the Strassackers’ specialist expertise.
Digital model creation at Strassacker
While traditional production
methods have characterized the creation
of works of art to date, today there
The Strassacker foundry can offer customers both manual and digital manufacturing
processes. If necessary, even both can be combined. Like here at a part of the sculpture
KAS by Simon Mühlhäußer.
are new possibilities for the design of
art. One that clearly pushes the
boundaries of what is possible is 3-D
printing. Industrial 3-D printing systems
can be used to print models made from
acrylic glass (PMMA) or casting molds
made from silica sand. These are then
handled by casters in the same way as
traditional wax patterns or sand casting
molds. Strassacker recognized the
potential of 3-D printing early on. For
more than 15 years, the company has
been working with printed patterns –
including printed plastic patterns from
voxeljet. During this time, the family
business has been able to build up a
wealth of experience that it is sharing
with its customers.
This means that customers can either
send in their completed CAD data sets
to Strassacker, where they will be processed
in the company’s in-house digital
workshop, or customers can approach
Strassacker with their project plans and
allow the specialists in the 3-D modelling
department to advise them. „There
CASTING PLANT & TECHNOLOGY 2/2019 69