French large format printer Métropole used its Massivit 3D printer to produce life-size comic book characters at the International Cartoon Festival of Angoulême in south-western France.
With printing speeds of up to 35cm (14”) per hour and two printheads, the Massivit 1800 3D printer enabled Métropole to meet tight deadlines set by the festival organizers.
“Only the Massivit 3D printer, deployed by Métropole, could have pulled off this feat in terms of turnaround time,” said Franck Bondoux, the festival’s President. “Our life-size statues were ready onsite on the opening day of the festival, creating just the wow effect we had been aiming for.”
It took less than four weeks’ work – eighty hours of printing plus 200 hours of assembly, sculpting and painting – to create the five comics characters displayed at Angoulême station - Blake and Mortimer, Spirou and Seccotine, as well as ‘Le Fauve’ – the festival's mascot.
“These life-size characters at the train station create a real sense of complicity for travellers,” said Bondoux. “The statues have an ultra-realistic finish, totally bringing them to life. Comic fans find themselves immersed in a playful, joyous and comforting world.
“Comic fans love getting up close and personal with their favourite characters. This creates a strong bond both for children and the young at heart, who reconnect with their childhood emotions. No doubt lots of selfies with our statues will show up on social media.”
