Masterplan Model – Scale 1:1000

This model is essentially a 3D representation of the client’s colour coded masterplan for the redevelopment of a disused quarry site in the South of England. The local planning authorities requested the model so that they could get a clear understanding of how the new mixed use development would fit into the re-contoured landscape of the quarry. Even at 1:1000 scale (1mm equals 1 metre) we had to accurately model all the proposed new contours and levels across the site, including the old quarry cliff faces. The colour coded buildings indicate the proposed usage and maximum roof heights for each of the plots. The colours reflect those used on the original 2D masterplan but toned down to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the model.

Military Equipment Model "PURIBAD" Airborne Delivery System – Scale 1:10

Platform, Universal, Rigid Inflatable Boat, Airborne Delivery... is what it stands for, in case you were wondering. The name is an acronym for a platform specially designed for air dropping ready-to-go speedboats (or RIBs) into the sea. The system literally launches itself out of the back of a plane, separates from the boat, deploys parachutes and lands both platform and RIB safely into the water. The platform can be recovered for further use or sunk for covert operations. Having explained what it is now I can tell you a bit about the model. It’s at 1:10 scale (10cm equals 1 metre) and was commissioned as a demonstration tool for use at exhibitions. The client needed all the working components to be accurately modelled (hooks, straps, spring release clips, etc) so that he could explain the simplicity of the design and what made it such a reliable, proven system. It was a challenging project because of the high level of detail required and the wide variety of model making techniques needed to make all the model components. We were very pleased with the final result though and hopefully you can appreciate the quality of the model from the photographs.

Bridge Model – Scale non specific

We’ve chosen to feature this stylized bridge model for December (you’ll no doubt recognize it as Sidney Harbour Bridge) because the main projects we’ve been working on this month won’t be completed until late January, so no pics currently available (click on October 2009 to see another bridge example). This simplified version of Sydney’s famous landmark measured 1800mm in length and was used as a table centrepiece for a corporate function – the theme for the evening was, of course, Australia. We’re heading off for a function of our own now – with a Christmas theme! We’ll be back keen and eager in the New Year to finish off our current projects and get stuck into some exciting new ones.

Private House Model – Scale 1:100

We had an extremely busy month through November but unfortunately we can’t show most of these projects as they are currently confidential (the client is a huge international financial institution). We have, however had permission to show this model of a proposed private house in Cannes. The purpose of the model is to illustrate how the design addresses this steeply sloping site, not just externally but also internally, and to this end the building actually separates out into three layers to expose the proposed internal room layout. We haven’t been able to take any proper photographs of this model as yet because it is still a work in progress. There is a second part of the site still to make which should be completed early next year and that is when we plan to feature it properly in these pages.

Pouring Teapot – Scale “oversized”

This slightly surreal model showing an oversized teapot frozen in mid pour into an oversized teacup presented a number of technical problems. The heavy looking teapot had to be made very lightweight so that it could be supported by the pouring column of tea. The “tea” element of the model had to be sculpted and cast as a separate unit (in tinted clear resin) that would fit into the cup and into the spout of the teapot. The cup and saucer had to be weighted so that the whole model would be a freestanding unit. This was just one of a series of half a dozen different models for a huge multi-national company. The models are to be used as eye catching 3D displays in support of marketing promotions within the company’s main branch offices. They may be required in large numbers if the promotions are rolled out worldwide.

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.