RhinoCAM Reconstructs Destruction at Pompeii

The Montana State University School of Architecture (MSU) Fabrication Shop creates many site models used for various purposes. In a recent project, Bill Clinton and his students are machining a topology map of the Bay of Naples out of high-density polyurethane foam.

The site model (displayed at only 3 venues in the US) is part of the exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies that chronicles the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 that destroyed Oplontis and Pompeii. The exhibit is the largest and most extensive of its kind. Overhead images and video are projected onto the site model surface illustrating the lava flow, of volcanic ash and pumice.

Figure 1 – Actual site model exhibit of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples at the Museum of the Rockies with overhead projection showing lava and volcanic ash flow.

Figure 2 – RhinoCAM 2016 showing cut material simulation of the “Bay of Naples” exhibit topology site model for The Museum of the Rockies. In the background, in-process stock of the previous 3 Axis Horizontal Roughing (in levels) operation is shown. In the foreground, the Rhino 5, 3D topology model can be seen showing the final 3 Axis Parallel Finishing operation be simulated.

Don LaCourse

Don LaCourse is an Application Engineer with MecSoft Corporation. Don brings over 20 years of experience in CAD/CAM operations in both automotive and mold design applications. Don also has extensive experience in documenting CAD/CAM products and is actively involved with writing the on-line help as well as creating training tutorials for MecSoft's products.