The success of a huge sectionalised casting process in India relies in
part on the power of a CAD/CAM software suite and the skills of a
dedicated team of experts from UK based Delcam
Delcam has completed the CAD model of the Maitreya Buddha (which is
destined to become the world's largest statue), using its CopyCAD reverse
engineering software. Data for the model was obtained by scanning a
life-size sculpture, created by Peter and Denise Griffin, using a
Breuckmann optical scanner. The 152.4m tall Buddha (forming part of the
huge Maitreya religious development in Bodh Gaya, India) will be made
from around 8,000 two-metre square cast bronze panels, aligned and
secured to a civil engineering structure.
Individual panels will be cut from the model data with Delcam's
PowerSHAPE modelling software, the same package being used to create a
wall thickness, and to add expansion joints, inspection targets and other
civil engineering forms. Once a panel has been developed in PowerSHAPE,
PowerMILL will be used to create toll paths for mould production.
Currently, the preferred process entails machining the mould cavities
directly into solid blocks of 'green
Once cast, each bronze panel will be checked against the CAD model using
PowerINSPECT, to ensure tolerances are met before offering it up to the
support structure. Groups of nine panels will be attached to sub-frames
at the foot of the statue, inspected once more and then hoisted to their
final positions on the support structure.