Case Study: University of Leicester achieves lifelike Richard III skeleton replica with Materialise

Loughborough University’s 3D Printing Technology Breathes New Life into Richard III

The University of Leicester unearthed what proved to be the remains of King Richard III and needed a faithful, study-ready replica of the skeleton to document and interpret the find. Materialise provided the digital tools for this task, with scans of the remains processed in the Mimics Innovation Suite to create accurate 3D models for reproduction.

Using Materialise’s Mimics Innovation Suite, Loughborough University transformed hospital scans into detailed 3D models and produced a full-scale physical replica via laser sintering. The replica — including a printed skull that clearly shows battle injuries — preserved electronic and physical records for future study, helped clarify how the King died, and created a lasting, shareable resource for researchers and the public.

University of Leicester