3D scanning, Freeform and 3D printed prosthetic beak give new life to Costa Rican toucan

It started with a savage act, but thanks to animal welfare advocates, a group of dedicated specialists, and leading-edge 3D technologies, a young Costa Rican toucan has become a national symbol of perseverance and hope.

The toucan, named Grecia after the region in which it lives, was attacked by youths and lost almost the entire top part of its majestic beak. Fortunately, the injured bird was found and taken to nearby Zoo Ave, Central America’s largest animal rescue center, for care and recuperation.

Grecia’s attack received widespread media attention, setting off a flurry of protests and proposed legislation in Costa Rica for better animal protection. A crowd-funding campaign raised more than $10,000 for Grecia’s treatment. 

How to scan a toucan

Grecia’s story got the attention of Grupo SG in San José, Costa Rica, who was able to offer a complete chain of 3D solutions ─ from 3D scanning to modeling to printing ─ to help the toucan’s return to health.

Grupo SG, with a team headed by Thomas Lange and Karley Fu, provided technical expertise and connected regional specialists in industrial design, dentistry, nanotechnology and zoology to 3D Systems’ worldwide 3D technology resources.

After giving time for the remaining part of the toucan’s top beak to harden, Grupo SG used an Artec Spider 3D scanner to capture dimensions and features from Grecia’s beak and surrounding areas. The toucan needed to be awake during the process.

“Scanning a live toucan without anesthesia was difficult,” says Esteban Murillo, Sales Representative for Grupo SG. “We made two or three different scans to make sure we had all the data we needed. The toucan stayed very still but the clock was ticking.”

Grupo SG also scanned a whole beak from a dead toucan to obtain additional data.

Oqton's Geomagic Wrap software was used to process and modify 3D scan data into 3D models. Geomagic Control X, typically used for 3D inspection of industrial products, was used to obtain measurements and analyze geometry.

3D modelling a prosthetic beak in Geomagic Design X

Modeling the new beak

Grupo SG shared photos, documents, scan files and requirements with Youngkwan Joo, a 3D reverse engineering specialist based in Seoul, South Korea.

Joo worked with two sets of data: One from the scanning of Grecia’s broken beak and the other from the whole beak of a dead toucan. His first step was designing a well-fitted beak for Grecia using Oqton Freeform.

The 3D modelling software enables users to sculpt virtual clay models into organically shaped precision forms. It was coupled with the Touch haptic device that makes design as intuitive as working in real clay.

Joo brought the models from  Freeform into Geomagic Design X, the ideal solution for converting 3D-scanned mesh data into CAD models. Geomagic Design X offers automatic and guided solid model extraction, exact surface fitting to organic 3D scans, and mesh editing and point-cloud processing for manufacturing-ready designs.

After modeling the beak, Joo designed a cap to attach the prosthetic beak to what remained of Grecia’s top beak. The cap was designed to enable the prosthetic beak to be removed for cleaning and for a larger beak to be inserted over time, since Grecia is still growing.

Joo says the design work was done over a two-month period, but actual time he spent was fewer than a dozen hours for several versions of the beak and slight modifications.

“Time was saved because of the power of Geomagic Design X as a parametric modeler,” says Joo. “Commands in Design X are well-optimized for creating accurate and high-quality surfaces easily and quickly from scan data. It also allows us to do general CAD modeling for creative design work.”

“Second chance for life”

To print the beak, Grupo SG and Moussa used CubePro Nylon for the initial prototypes and settled on Duraform PA for the final version. The final printing was done at Rock Hill on a 3D Systems ProX 500 selective laser sintering (SLS) printer.

The 3D-printed cap and beak prosthesis were shipped to Costa Rica for Grecia’s operation. The cap was attached by epoxy glue to the remaining part of the toucan’s beak and the prosthesis was locked in place with a pinned hinge. The caretaking team chose not to paint the beak to serve as a reminder of Grecia’s tragedy and recovery.

3D-printed beak prosthesis

Grecia adapted very quickly to the new prosthetic beak. Within days, he was preening himself and eating and drinking normally. For Grupo SG, the prosthetic beak is not just a major technology statement, but a source of national pride.

“The voice of the Costa Rican nation was raised loudly and clearly and we have the privilege of being part of this team that provided a second chance for life to this beautiful sentient being,” says Karley Fu. “A team of great humans and gifted professionals executed a never-seen-before act of love in collaboration with the latest 3D technologies.”