Detailed marketing model on complex sloping site.

This technically demanding project was one of several marketing models we have made recently for national house builder Taylor Wimpey. It was a particularly difficult project because it comprised over 150 units on a steeply sloping site. Many of the houses were split level properties and each plot required accurate modelling of retaining walls, complex access steps, and carefully designed embankments in the gardens. Even though 1:250 is a fairly small scale, if you click on the first image to enlarge it you’ll see the high level of detail we have been able to achieve. The second image shows the model on site in their marketing suite.

Button controlled model for Northern PowerGrid

CLNR stands for Customer Led Network Revolution, a method of optimizing the power supply network based on immediate reaction to varying customer demands. The purpose of this model was to illustrate Northern Powergrid’s strategies for maximizing the efficiency of their supplies to both domestic and commercial users. The model looks deceptively simple but actually features some complex programming to demonstrate how the network adjusts to the demands of different users at different times of the day, including storing surplus power for later use. The button panel allows the user to set up varying power requirements which are indicated by lights on the model (turning red) and then press further buttons that illustrate how the demands are resolved (turning the lights green) with energy efficient systems and procedures.

 “Drivetrain” for wind turbine – Scale 1:20

A “Drivetrain”, in case you were wondering, is the component that harnesses the power from the revolving blades of a wind turbine – it’s the machinery the blades are connected to at the top of the tower, normally hidden under a cowling. This particular model was commissioned for use as an eye catching display at trade shows and exhibitions. It was designed to illustrate the flexible, modular nature of the client’s product which could be easily adapted for different types of wind turbine. Taking the real thing along wasn’t really an option due to its massive size and weight. If you click on the images to enlarge them, you’ll see the outline of a standing figure which gives a sense of the machine’s real life dimensions. At 1:20 scale we were able to show a plenty of realistic detail, including individual nuts and bolts and the huge single disc brake with four callipers on the back face of the model.

 Detailed Marketing model – Scale 1:150

When space in a sales office is limited, 1:150 is a useful scale option because it is small enough to keep the model compact but large enough to show plenty of detail, which helps bring the model to life. This model was only 450mm square but if you look closely at the enlarged images you’ll see we’ve actually been able to show the wooden handrails on the balcony balustrades. This type of detail invites the viewer to inspect the model up close and allows them to visualize themselves enjoying the sea view from what could be their apartment balcony. All of which builds confidence and can help secure early sales, even when the site outside is little more than a hole in the ground.

Five models reflecting Atkins involvement in the London Olympic Park

Designed and built for Atkins Engineers, this group of five interactive models was commissioned to reflect Atkins' huge involvement in the construction of the London Olympic Park. Each model highlights a particular aspect of the unglamorous but essential engineering work Atkins carried out at the site, from creating an artificial level surface for the equestrian event, to installing fundamental infrastructure such as bridges, water supplies and drainage. One of the models, which incorporates scrolling LED messages and allows the operator to lift a table tennis ball into the air by controlling a fan, conveys how Atkins designed complex climate control systems to "engineer" the air in many of the park's specialist sporting venues. The models were used initially at an exhibition event linked with the start of the Olympics but will subsequently be displayed in the reception areas of Atkins' main offices around the UK. There is also a plan to export one of the models to the Middle East. .

Realistically detailed farm landscape for milk producer.

This is the second 1:32 scale model we’ve produced in the last 3 months – you can see the previous project if you click on the Recent Projects tab above and scroll back to October. As you can see from the photos, this scale allows us to show a high level of realistic detail in the landscaping and the structures. It’s also useful because a lot of detailed “off-the-shelf” items such as cows and vehicles can sourced on line. This model is actually a direct physical representation of a CGI model the company had produced for a previous marketing promotion.

Our third warehouse model this year.

We seem to have found a niche for automated warehouse models as this is the third we’ve produced this year. They’re technically challenging projects due to the amount of small detail that needs to be modelled in the racking and conveyor belt systems but probably the most challenging aspect of these models is interpreting the extensive and highly detailed CAD files we have to work from. Fortunately we have a lot of experience producing complex industrial models of all descriptions so it’s become somewhat of a specialized field for us. If you’ve got a requirement for a model of machinery or an industrial installation of some sort, we’d welcome the opportunity to provide a quotation.

Three presentation models for drilling rig manufacturer.

At 1:400 scale these drilling rig models were only just over 200mm wide so were extremely small and fiddly to make. For example the handrails you can see in the close-up photos were less than 3mm tall. Because of the small scale the client said the models could be slightly simplified, which they are, but as you can see from the pics we still managed to show a high level of fine detail. When completed the three models were shipped to the client in Aberdeen, after which they were shipped on to their own clients as gifts.

… with added Scalextric track!

This 3.6m long exhibition model was built in 3 sections that could be bolted together on site. The model was designed to demonstrate three steel framework designs for the client’s car port systems which feature solar panels on the roofs. The client also produces steelwork for field mount solar panels which you can see on the first inset photo above. The model was built at 1:32 scale (the same scale as Scalextric) so that a track could be incorporated to attract visitors to the stand.

Stylized model showing multiple industries.

The brief for this project was to create a physical model of an existing CGI created landscape showing all the various industrial sectors the company worked in. The only information they were able to give us was a set of still-frame images of the landscape so we had to create our own CAD from scratch before we could start constructing the model. The muted greys and greens are an exact copy of the CGI graphic but we feel they work very well for this stylized industrial landscape. As you can see from the photo above, we also incorporated LED lighting. The system allowed 16 zones to be individually controlled from the client’s laptop.