A NURBS-based solid modeling to enhance rapid prototyping in the restoration of decorative elements

The reconstruction of decorative or sculptural parts which are partially or totally missing and the reproduction of these pieces in appropriate and accurate proportions can be said to be one of the main problems in sculptural-architectural or archaeological restoration fields [1, 2]. This is especially true for fragments to be inserted with high precision, in size often from tenths of a millimeter to few millimeters, in shortcomings artifacts. The 3D reconstruction through modern rapid prototyping (RP) processes is not always suitable (i.e. decorative parts or sculptor cannot be reproduced in casting material like plaster, cement, biological resins, etc.; RP techniques are not able to make accurately cavities and undercuts) [3, 4]. The withdrawal of the mold constitutes an essential factor affecting the crafted reproduction method through silicone molds by brush or casting [5]. Using such a methodology, a model that takes into account the withdrawal of the clay and silicone can be obtained only after different efforts and empirical evaluations. Indeed, enlarging the reproduction of damaged decorative part molded in clay seems to be necessary to produce a larged mold of the original piece.

In this research, an approach based on three-dimensional laser scanning technology providing a method for the supervision of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing is defined with the aim of reducing processing times and increasing the accuracy of replication of decorated architectural surfaces. This study focuses on the reconstruction of the missing pieces of the coffered ceiling of the main 21 m high lobby of Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele in Palermo. The intervention has provided the reconstruction of individual clay elements recreated in a larger size so to take into account the shrinkage of the mold during the catalysis process. The molds designed in silicon inside the molding boxes have reproduced identical patterns. In the following sections the traditional and the proposed methodologies are described and compared.

The intervention of architectural restoration on coffered ceiling is consisted in the replication of decorative elements partially crumbled or detached from roof due to humidity and water infiltration (Fig. 1). In particular, Fig. 1a shows the south-west area to the coffered ceiling where the major lesions of the decoration were present. In Fig. 1b the parts of the decoration totally absent in this area are drawn in red.

The detached decorative fragments have an elongated and drop shape arranged continuously along the perimeter of the coffered roof. The ornamental elements of the roof were originally handmade with quite brittle scagliola plaster which can be distinguished for high permeability and vulnerability that permit to absorb the excess moisture and water ingress. Gypsum-based sculpure is typically used to make complex solid shapes in the castings process. The casting scagliola result preserves all the smallest details of the original piece, providing white colour and drying in a very short time, hardening after 30 min depending on the humidity of the environment. Thanks to its good adhesive properties the scagliola can be easily worked and also used to properly shape particularly large smooth surfaces giving the idea of marble, white or aged according to the type of coating. The scagliola can be applied with water, glue and possible coloured pigments. The result is a soft dough poured into a mold with a reinforcement of hemp fibers which increases its hardness and resistance. The performed architectural restoration on coffered ceiling through the traditional method provides that the architectural decoration reproduced in the clay is larger than the original model. This is in order to create a silicone rubber mold which, after the withdrawal of the rubber itself, allows to reproduce pieces in the size of the original decoration. It is known that the enlargement of the architectural decoration reproduced in the clay (matrix) is carried out empirically and the accuracy achieved in the reproduced architectural elements is left to the experience and intuitive skills of the craftsman to find the correct dimensions of this matrix and the mold. Needless to say that this process often requires several attempts.

In the proposed methodology, the acquisition through Laser scanner (EINSCAN-PRO+, accuracy ≤ 100 μm) allows to obtain the point cloud of architectural decorations (Fig. 2a). The cloud is then discretized through NURBS surface with triangular elements (Fig. 2b).

What is important to notice is that it is the maximum size of the elements (l_max) which determines the accuracy of the reconstruction. In particular, the maximum error between the virtual surface and the real surface of the decoration (max_err) can be assessed through the empirical expression:

Volumetric shrinkage coefficients were evaluated through experimental tests carried out on test pieces with a parallelepiped shape in clay (Colorobbia) and silicone (SILASTIC 3487 base and hardener SILASTIC 87-S) with dimensions similar to those of the decorations. Simulations in FE environment then allowed to obtain the linear shrinkage coefficients along the three main directions for a prismatic cassette mold (Fig. 3).

In Table 1 the volumetric and linear values of withdrawal coefficients are reported.

By applying the values of the shrinkage coefficients to the virtual geometries of the decorations in the FE simulation environment, it was possible to evaluate with accuracy the enlargement to be assigned to the matrix to obtain the correct sized mold (Fig. 4). The use of virtual geometric models also allowed an easy reconstruction of any gaps in the decoration.

The matrix was made using RP techniques using ABS^®, characterized by very small shrinkages and insensitivity to temperature changes. The silicone elastomer mold derived from the matrix. In particular, high strength silicone rubber (SILASTIC 3487–SILASTIC 87-S) (Table 1) was used, with high mechanical properties, high fidelity to the reproduction of objects, high elasticity, tear resistance and non-stick effect.

The final realization of the decorations took place through the synthetic DIPLAST^® resin (99.9% biological plaster) characterized by almost zero shrinkage values. As a waterproof material, particularly resistant to humidity (unlike gypsum plaster). DIPLAST resin is a synthetic gypsum powder that is mixed with water in a stoichiometric ratio and characterized by extra white colouring and strong mechanical resistance. By casting the resin guarantees a perfect replica of the original piece without any deformation or shrinkage. In detail, the casting of this resin is totally non-toxic; mixed in specific ratios in terms of weight with cold water it generates a finished product similar to porcelain, ensuring rapid hardening in 6–10 min without cooking. The restoration work was completed with the installation of the elements carried out through the fixing of threaded steel bars inserted inside the ornaments to adhere with the two-component white polyester adhesive in the coffered roof ensuring effective adhesion once hardened. The described method can also be extended to decorative elements characterized by cavities and undercuts. The proposed methodology allowed a reduction of working times and the achievement of the desired accuracy. In Fig. 5, the workflow of the proposed methodology is schematized, while Fig. 5b shows the traditional method based on numerous iterations.

In this study a methodology for improving the reconstruction method of decorum in architectural surfaces and sculpture was proposed. The analysis focused on the evaluation of the effects of withdrawal caused by catalysis of mold in silicone which were simulated by a NURBS-based solid modelling. A tolerance analysis model was developed to predict manufacturing precision levels. The procedure used was tested through the reconstruction of the missing pieces of the coffered ceiling of the main 21 m high lobby of Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele in Palermo. The proposed methodology allowed the reconstruction of decorations or fragments of decoration with high accuracy.