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Back to the Future
to solve a 19th century problem
The rapid prototyping center at UK’s Center for Manufacturing normally uses 21 st century technology to help UK researchers and Kentucky manufacturers.
But sometimes RJ Robinson, who directs the UK prototyping lab, and his colleagues at the Center travel back in time to do their work. For example, Ashland, Henry Clay’s historic house in Lexington, lost a wrought iron finial that dated to 1856.
This left executive director Ann Michel at a loss. “It looked bad but I had no idea where to go to replace it,” she says. “And I was sure our private non-profit program wouldn’t be able to afford it.”
Luckily, former UK Center employee Joel Damron had joined Ashland and suggested UK might be able to help.
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“We sandblasted off maybe 20 layers of paint, so the outlines would be sharp and clear,” Robinson, says, “and used it to make a rubber mold and cast a polyurethane copy.”
UK Center for Manufacturing donated the expertise, the labor, and the polyurethane, while Dow Corning donated the rubber for the mold.
“We’re glad to do it, “Robinson says. “It’s our heritage, our Kentucky history.”
“It’s UK history too, “Ann Michel points out. “At one time, UK’s ancestor, the Kentucky Agricultural and Manufacturing College, was housed at Ashland.
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