3T RPD Baton
3T RPD is proud to have been commissioned by 4c Design to build the titanium lattice frame for the Queen’s Baton for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow based 4c Design has created an outstanding design for the Queen’s Baton which takes inspiration from Scottish materials, local designers and craftsmen, Glasgow's rich industrial heritage and additive manufacturing technology.
There are four elements to the Baton – the handle, lattice frame, granite gemstone and, at the heart of the Baton, a message from the Queen.
The handle is made from Scottish elm and has been constructed using boat-building techniques by craftsmen at GalGael, a Glasgow based social enterprise.
3T RPD made the titanium lattice using metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Designed by William Mitchell, the body of the Baton has a striking organic form inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and comprises internal and external twisting metal frames. The surface of the exterior skin has been polished to a high finish, yet the internal skin is unpolished and is as it came out of the 3T’s metal AM machines.
The Baton has a granite gemstone at the top of the Baton, which will be gifted to each nation and territory as the Baton makes its tour of the Commonwealth. Finally, at the visual core of the Baton is the Queen’s message, which is illuminated from within and will remain unread until the Games Opening Ceremony.
The Baton will begin a 288-day relay, covering 118,000 miles in October and will visit all the 71 competing nations and territories before returning to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for the opening ceremony on 23 July 2014.
