Granitic Recumbent Statue Reproduction by a Seven Axes Robotic Milling Machine

Abstract

Facing the sea, the rocks sculpted by the "Abbé Fouré" at the "Pointe du Christ" and the "Pointe de la Haie" in Rothéneuf (Brittany, France) attract many visitors. Winds, rains and sea spray erode each day a little more the sculptures carved in granite more than a century ago. In order to preserve the heritage, the "Association des Amis de l'Oeuvre de l'Abbé Fouré" tried to start an innovative project: recreate a statue sculpted by the "Ermite of Rothéneuf" at the end of the 19th century thanks to 3D technologies and robotics. With a first 3D scanning of the sculpture of the "Pointe du Christ", a stonecutters' company was approached to reproduce identically this recumbent statue, identified as John IV, Duke of Brittany. Thanks to a robotic milling machine working on seven axes, by cutting layers in the granite at each passage, the company realized 60% of the work in less than a month. Then, a sculptor of the company was responsible, from documents collected by the association, to give the granite block the features of the original recumbent statue. This replica is currently the centerpiece of several French exhibitions dedicated to the general public.