An integrated approach to customize the packaging of heritage artefacts

The shipment of heritage artefacts for restoration or temporary/travelling exhibition has been virtually lacking in customised packaging. Hitherto, packaging has been empirical and intuitive which has unnecessarily put the artefacts at risk. So, this research arises from the need to identify a way of designing and creating packaging for artefacts which takes into account structural criticalities to deal with deteriorating weather, special morphology, constituent materials and manufacturing techniques. The proposed methodology for semi-automatically designing packaging for heritage artefacts includes the integrated and interactive use of Reverse Engineering (RE), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Rapid Prototyping (RP). The methodology presented has been applied to create a customised packaging for a small C3rd BC bronze statue of Heracles (Museo Civico “F.L. Belgiorno” di Modica -Italy). This methodology has highlighted how the risk of damage to heritage artefacts can be reduced during shipping. Furthermore, this approach can identify each safety factor and the corresponding risk parameter to stipulate in the insurance policy.