Hawk 3D Proto Supports UK Police: Delivers and Installs DeltaWASP 4070 Industrial 3D Printer, Trains Officers at West Yorkshire Police Regional Scientific Support Unit

3D printing definitely has military applications, but the technology can also be very useful in terms of helping out our local law enforcement, from making traffic stops safer and helping to identify victims of homicide, to using 3D scanners to create a virtual reconstruction of crime and accident scenes and creating digital, 3D printable records of evidence. Independent 3D printing company Hawk 3D Proto, a division of Cutwel Limited, supplies a full range of high-performance desktop 3D printers and materials to its customers, along with training facilities and professional services. The UK-based company is a WASP reseller, and recently delivered and installed a DeltaWASP 4070 Industrial 3D Printer to the West Yorkshire Police at its Regional Scientific Support Unit (SSU) headquarters.

The large printer will be used to assist the West Yorkshire Police SSU team with its investigative activities, and Hawk 3D Proto was excited to support the team, offering a full training program for the 3D printer.

“This project is very exciting for us,” said Ben Hawksworth, CEO and founder of Hawk 3D Proto. “Working with the local emergency services to assist them in their roles to fight against crime is of great importance.”

The DeltaWASP 4070 Industrial is one of Italy-based WASP’s larger offerings, and is a revision of its standard 4070 model, which was demonstrated last fall at Argillà Italia 2016. The 3D printer, built from metal parts, features enhanced mechanics and an enclosed heated build chamber, and with a build volume of 400 x 400 x 700 mm, allows for large-volume 3D printing with technical materials.

The 3D printer allows for faster, more accurately printed models, which is just what the officers at West Yorkshire Police Regional SSU are looking for. It’s one of the top Police Forensic Units in all of the UK, and the department, which also utilizes the Humber region’s Imaging Unit, is a leader in using 3D and imaging technology at crime scenes, and for post-scene analysis purposes. Using this data, the DeltaWASP 4070 Industrial will be able to recreate precise physical models for use in the courtroom.

“3D laser scan technology has been used by Y.A.T.H Imaging Unit since 2008, producing 3D animations and plans for court use. It was a natural progression therefore to be able to recreate the crime scenes in solid 3D. This would enable judge and jury to hold the crime scene in their hands,” explained Daniel Sharp, Crime Scene Surveying Supervisor at West Yorkshire Police. “A large scale 3D printer was required to meet these needs, and also to produce an innovative prototype and subsequent product for one of our close government partners. We are already using the 3D printer for the project and looking forward to using it to support investigations and court use.”

Wasp 4070 Industrial 3D printer installed at West Yorkshire Police SSU

Before West Yorkshire Police SSU team members could get to work with their newly installed 3D printer, Hawk 3D Proto showed them how to put the DeltaWASP 4070 Industrial through its paces. The company provided the SSU team with bespoke training, which covered everything from loading filament and general maintenance to printer calibration and how to use the slicing software, in order to get the maximum utility out of the printer for the team’s specific application. Hawk 3D Proto also offered the SSU team members with hands-on support when they 3D printed their very first model. Discuss in the DeltaWASP forum at 3DPB.com.