Giant whale’s tail conveys optimism
Oliver Hay’s business, Big Ideas 3D Printing, has built ‘the largest’ custom-made 3D plastic structure in Africa, as a means to spread positivity and the greater good.
In the midst of doom and gloom within communities, Big Ideas 3D Printing has not only put Johannesburg South and South Africa on the map, but has purportedly put the whole of Africa too.
The Alrode South company, which has been around since 2015, has proven that the sky is the limit and they are presently pushing the boundaries of what is possible through technology.
They have taken on a mammoth task to built, what could possibly be, the largest custom-made 3D plastic structure of a giant whale’s tail, specially coated to last for at least 15 to 20 years.
Five meters in height, the 3D printed object has been built to convey positivity and cheer.
Brackenhurst’s Oliver Hay and director of Big Ideas 3D Printing, said this was the largest single structure they have ever built and that they are incredibly proud of their work.
Positive twist
“The world needs to see that South Africa is capable of anything. With everything happening at the moment, we need a reason to focus on the positive. We can’t get too hung up on the terrible things that are happening and we know that it’s been a tough couple of months for everyone,” he said.
He said he was fairly convinced that this is the largest 3D plastic printed object in Africa and that he also welcomes any challenges.
“We have gone unopposed on social media. We have gone to the 3D printing world and said, ‘look guys, this is what we have done’. We are aware that there are 3D printing houses in Kenya,” explained Oliver.
According to Oliver, in Kenya the 3D printing is done in concrete.
“Within our industry that’s like a motorcar, they both go fast, but they are not the same mode of transport. I’m open for interpretation and I would love for someone to come up and say, ‘hey, we’ve printed something that is six metres or 10m’,” he said.
Putting in the work
Using 3D printing, they built a giant whale’s tail worth R350 000.
It looks like a waffle and it took the best part of two months to complete.
“We would’ve done it slightly quicker if it wasn’t for the current business environment hampered by load-shedding. Despite challanges, we really put our foot down and stood up to do something exceptional,” Oliver said.
As a company, they have also built a number of 3D printed objects ranging from giant animals to large-scale objects. He reiterated that he wanted people to have an idea of what is possible to achieve should you put your mind to it.
