Realistically detailed model of Europe’s new space observatory

Having already made several models of Britain’s UKube satellite we were pleased to get this new commission for a model of the European space Agency’s latest spacecraft being launched in October this year. As you can see from the images, large areas of this spacecraft are composed of different coloured, highly reflective fabrics and we needed to replicate the uneven, shiny character of these materials on the model. We also had to create a representation of the optical bench (complete with concave mirrors) inside the main body of the spacecraft. It is hard to see in these photos but it is just visible through the “window” openings. Since completing the model, we’ve actually been commissioned to produce three further copies for the UK Space agency.

Waste Treatment Process model at 1:200 scale

This is the second major project we’ve completed for the blue chip pharmaceuticals manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline who demand the very highest standards from all their suppliers and sub contactors. The previous model, a 3D representation of their penicillin manufacturing plant, was used as an orientation tool for visitors to the site. This new model demonstrates how the company harnesses biogases from their waste treatment process to fuel a newly installed Combined Heat & Power facility. The colour coding of the pipes indicates the different stages of the treatment process. You’ll notice they have also installed a large wind turbine on the site to further demonstrate their commitment to sustainable energy. This is a static model but GSK have asked us to update it later this year to include a touch-screen information panel linked to interactive illumination on the model.

 For Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

1:750 scale is ideal for a masterplan model because it allows you to represent a large area, such as a town centre, on a reasonably compact base but at the same time the buildings are large enough to appreciate storey heights and general massing. This particular example is approximately 1.8m square and includes over 20 removable panels for the redevelopment zones. This allows interchanging of different options so that each development proposal can be viewed and assessed within the overall 3D context. The clients were delighted with the finished model and indeed, one of the councillors wrote to us personally to say “I would like to once again thank you and all your colleagues for doing such a great job.”

Two more industrial models – Sub-sea control module & Ukube Satellite.

Not all the models we make are scaled down to a smaller size. These two industrial models are both life-size replicas of the real thing. The subsea control module is about 900mm square and was commissioned because the client wanted a lightweight version of the product to take to exhibition venues. The real unit was extremely heavy and difficult to transport whereas our lookalike version, made from thin plastics, could be easily lifted by two men. The Ukube satellite model, made for the UK Space agency, was unusual in that the original satellite was only about 350mm long so there was no need to scale it down. We’ve actually made four of these satellite models with possibly more to follow. They’re used for educational presentations and were made with working hinges so that the solar panels and antennae could be deployed in the same way as the real thing.

Two industrial models for completely different industries

It’s been a particularly busy start to the new year and amongst the smaller projects we’ve completed recently are these two industrial models, one for a Biogas boiler (at 1:15 scale) and one for a water purification system (at 1:8 scale). Both models were for use at trade shows/exhibitions in UK and abroad and were supplied with purpose-built flight cases. The Water purification model was one of a pair and actually had removable sections to show the interior workings but for confidentiality reasons we are unable to show these views. The Biogas boiler model featured white LED uplighters to highlight it within the general plant room context. Unfortunately it was only after the model had gone that we realised we didn’t have any photos with the lights on!