Case Study: Grupo SG (Costa Rican 3D distributor) restores a toucan’s beak with 3D Systems’ end-to-end scanning-to-printing solution

3D Scanning, Geomagic Freeform and 3D Printed Prosthetic Beak Gives New Life to Costa Rican Toucan

3D Systems, together with regional distributor Grupo SG and a multidisciplinary team of designers, veterinarians and materials experts, tackled the challenge of restoring Grecia, a young Costa Rican toucan whose top beak was almost entirely destroyed in a violent attack. The brief was to create a custom, removable prosthetic that would fit the live bird’s remaining anatomy, allow for growth, and withstand everyday activities like preening and eating.

Using a full 3D workflow—Artec Spider scanning, Geomagic Wrap/Freeform/Design X modeling, and final printing on a ProX 500 SLS printer in Duraform PA nylon—the team produced a cap-and-prosthesis system that was epoxied and pinned in place. Grecia adapted within days, resuming normal eating, drinking and preening; the successful outcome became a national symbol of resilience and showcased the practical impact of advanced 3D solutions.

Grupo SG

Esteban Murillo

Sales Representative