In the spirit of the holidays and the end of the year, we are looking back at some special 3D printing moments in 2025. In this article, we’ll be looking specifically at a selection of unique restoration projects that showcase how 3D printing is not just a technology that allows for future-thinking innovation, but can also be used to keep history and tradition alive.
3D printing at Harris Tweed
Textile brand Harris Tweed has played an important role in bringing traditional Scottish tweeds to the global market. The company’s textiles, which are protected under the Harris Tweed Act, are made using traditional weaving processes and are made exclusively by residents of the Outer Hebrides. To help support the craftspeople who create the beautiful and durable wool textiles, Harris Tweed has turned to 3D printing to reproduce specialized components for the traditional weaving looms.
Previously, if part of a loom had broken, weavers would have to borrow components, make a DIY solution, or risk waiting months to source the rare parts. To overcome this hurdle, Harris Tweed Loom Spares Co. teamed up with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) to 3D print parts on demand. The parts, made from a composite thermoplastic, can reportedly be made in mere hours and cost in the realm of 1% of the original component’s cost.
“We take pride in our craftsmanship and tradition, but we also know that innovation is vital for keeping our industry strong for the generations to come. Working with NMIS is a significant step forward in future-proofing the looms critical to the production of Harris Tweed,” said Kelly McDonald, operations manager at The Harris Tweed Authority. “With the ability to replace parts quickly, easily and affordably, our weavers can focus on what they do best without worrying about delays. This not only safeguards the future of our fabric but also supports the livelihoods of the island community who dedicate their skills to preserving the craft.”
3D printing film preservation tools at the BFI
In another bid to preserve aging but essential equipment, the British Film Institute (BFI) has adopted 3D printing in its restoration department. More specifically, a BFI team is using EinScan 3D scanning and Formlabs 3D printing to replace components on a variety of rare restoration equipment, including cogs, cores, film rollers, cooling fans, spacers, and guides.
With 3D printing in house, the BFI archive technology team can keep critical systems active and keep restoring films and other physical media in held in the archive. The workflow typically consists of 3D scanning the original parts and then refining the 3D model before 3D printing it. Post printing, the parts are cleaned and cured again to enhance their properties. In addition to restoring existing equipment, the BFI team is also using 3D printing to design new components, like guide rollers for a two-inch video tape cleaner. “As technology evolves, new technologies are required to solve old problems,” the BFI said. “By embracing state-of-the-art tech, like the Form 3L, our technicians can breathe new life into historic equipment and ensure that this vital machinery can operate long into the future.”
3D printed replicas of 14th century statues
We want to highlight another 3D printing restoration story coming out of the UK, that we initially covered in April. The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) teamed up with the National Trust to replace two long-lost statues at the Coventry Charterhouse, a Grade-I-listed former monastery. The statues, a pair of 14th century statuettes representing Saint Denis and Saint Lawrence, were hidden for centuries, found in the 18th century, lost again, and ultimately found, but never returned to their original home.
With the use of 3D scanning and 3D printing, the MTC has been able to create faithful reproductions of the artefacts and deliver them home to Coventry. Jennie Rutte, Manager at Historic Coventry Trust, said: “It’s truly wonderful to see these statues return to their original home at Charterhouse as copies. Seeing these beautiful statues in situ will allow visitors to explore and understand Charterhouse’s heritage and its role within Coventry’s wider history.”
Harrison Ford’s 3D printed toilet seat
The 3D printing industry was tickled to learn this past year that actor Harrison Ford has a 3D printed toilet seat in his home office bathroom. But even more entertaining is how he acquired this one-of-a-kind 3D print. According to the actor, after years of being unable to source an original replacement seat for what must be a very special toilet, he reached out to former Tonight Show host Jay Leno, who had often worked with 3D printing for car restoration applications.
“I hadn’t seen him for 12 years since he left the show but I knew [he had] these 3D printers,” Ford said in an interview on the Wild Card with Rachel Martin podcast. “And I had this toilet seat for a toilet that is not in production anymore and the toilet seat is discolored in a way that is really unattractive.” Fortunately, Leno and his team were able to deliver the replacement toilet seat, which reportedly impressed Ford. As these projects show, whether it’s an ancient loom, a piece of obsolete restoration equipment, or a toilet seat, 3D printing is up to the restoration challenge.
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