College pays tribute to fallen with memorial model

College pays tribute to fallen with memorial model
Memorial pic

Specialised 3D printing expertise at Forth Valley College has been used to help pay tribute to Bainsford’s war dead, by creating two scale models of the proposed new monument.

FVC’s Falkirk Campus state-of-the-art Creality 3D printer workshop, which is headed by Mechanical Lecturer Ross McGeever has used plans provided by Bainsford War Memorial Association to print off two scale models – one at 1:25 and another larger one at 1:12 – in a special filament to give stone workers the ideal platform to produce the real thing for the people of Bainsford to be proud of, which will stand at four metres in height when complete.

Ross, who then as a Mechanical Technician at the start of the pandemic lockdown in May 2020, used his 3D printing skills to help set up a production line of essential medical protective equipment such as plastic face visors to help in the mission to combat Coronavirus across Scotland, was happy to help with the Bainsford War Memorial project.

The memorial will commemorate all soldiers from Bainsford who have made the ultimate sacrifce during war and conflict over the years. However, it will not only be for that local community alone, but the whole of Falkirk to be proud of.

An initial approach from the Bainsford War Memorial Association had been made to FVC’s Science and Engineering Department through Curriculum Manager Dougie Ross in 2019/20, before the pandemic led to national lockdown, but had to be postponed until the proposal was resurrected recently.

Ross, said: “I have found this another very interesting project and I and the whole College were happy to help. Working on this project has been very worthwhile. The War Memorial will be an important part of the Bainsford community, so to help really is part of its own reward.

“My mum works as a cancer specialist in the NHS, so I was happy to help do what we could with the PPE during the pandemic and since then we have been learning as we go and honing our skills, learning lessons every day in the production of 3D printing. It has been a pleasure to help create these war memorial models.”

Professor Ken Thomson, Principal of Forth Valley College, said: “It has been a privilege to help Bainsford War Memorial Association with their request for us to create these very impressive 3D models for the new Bainsford War Memorial project. Forth Valley College prides itself on being at the heart of each community it serves across Forth Valley and wherever we can use our expertise and experience to help local causes we will do what we can to support them. The College has been making great strides recently in respect of 3D printing – especially with the dedication of Ross - and we are now passing this expertise onto our Science and Engineering students who will need these skills as they progress in the careers.”

Chairman of the Bainsford War Memorial Association, Robert Bissett, said: “We are very grateful to Forth Valley College for engaging in this important community project and using the remarkable skills of the College to create a 3D model of the memorial that was drawn up by Charles Reid Architect, Falkirk Stonemasons Ltd and Blyth Berwick structural engineer from McGregor McMahon Consulting Engineers.

“The aim of the project is to remember the 224 fallen of Bainsford and through education teach why we need to remember the fallen of all wars. Lest We Forget.”

 

Memorial  pic