Recording at the highest resolution places great strain of the software used to prepare and output digital data. Through patient research and some in-house software developments Factum Arte has gradually come to understand how the data is altered as it is optimized and down-sized to meet the limitations of the software and output devices. In practice some modifications are acceptable while others are not. Rather than accept these limitations, which have prohibited the serious use of many of the 3D printing technologies in cultural applications, we work with selected partners to modify both the software and output systems and we create our own if needed.

Flat Bed Printer

Factum Arte had designed and built a flatbed printer that can overprint many times in perfect registration.

Fist conceptual ideas for the moving bridge

Final system for the moving bridge

Flat Bed Printerd

Crank for lifting the bridge.

Over print several times in order to control the intensity of the drawing

Test done on alluminiun overprint the darks up seven times

Printing in cement.

Factum Arte has built a working 3D cement printer that can print directly from CAD files. The plans have been finalized and a prototype was built for GENESIS, an exhibition about genetics that opened in Utrecht in May 2007.

3D Routing

At present Factum Arte undertakes most of its routing in the UK with Delcam , the producer of software for the milling industry. They have a research-based routing facility in which their software is used with most of the major routing and milling systems. Since 2001 Factum Arte have worked very closely with Delcam.

3D Printing & Rapid prototyping

Z Corp printing

Factum arte has worked with a commercial company, 4D Concepts. 4D Concepts worked on the 3D print of the Dama de Elche and over the past 3 years have helped on other research based projects related to issues of resolution and accuracy. While the Z Corp system has size limitations and problems with visible build layers it also has its advantages - the finished object is made from a resin impregnated plaster and therefore it can be hand-finished with relative ease.

Stereo Lithography

Factum Arte works with Materialise, the producer of the largest stereolithographic printers in Europe. They recently printed the copy of Seneca and Nero that Factum has been making for the Prado. Factum Arte built an ongoing relationship with this company that involves research and development.

Wax printing

Factum Arte has used this high resolution protype method in projects like the Cybernetic Engineered Cloned & Grown Reclining Rabbit .

Water-Jet Cut

Factum Arte currently undertakes a number of waterjet cutting projects. Factum has developed a very good relationship with Cortagua and Carinox and have carried out several large scale waterjet cutting projects.

Laser cutting

Has done several Laser cut projects like Eclipse by Jan Hendrix in collaboration with the spanish company Laser10P6