Case Study: Metalsistem achieves precision sculpture fabrication with TopSolid CAD/CAM/PDM

When steel becomes a means of artistic expression through sculpture

The customer, Metalsistem, a specialized metalworking company, faced the challenge of transforming a complex architectural design for "The Life Electric" sculpture into a buildable reality. The design, by Daniel Libeskind, featured large, curved stainless steel elements with variable radii, demanding a highly precise and flexible design and manufacturing process. To accomplish this, they utilized TopSolid's integrated CAD/CAM software for planning and development.

The solution implemented by TopSolid provided Metalsistem with an associative and parametric design environment, allowing for meticulous 3D modeling of the sculpture's five primary elements and their internal support structure. The software's power and flexibility ensured that the digital models translated perfectly into the physical workshop, guaranteeing accuracy, structural safety, and the desired aesthetic finish. This enabled Metalsistem to successfully fabricate and assemble the massive 16-meter, 270,000-kilo sculpture, which now stands as a permanent installation on Lake Como.

Metalsistem

Umberto Pratò

Co-Owner