3d modelling and 3d printing service

Sheet Material

Often (especially for architectural models) there is a need for large flat surfaces.  While it would be possible to 3d print large flat planes, it is much better (and cheaper) to incorporate sheet materials into the model where appropriate.

We laser-cut sheet acrylic and sheet ply-wood for many of our models. Having the 3d model file as a starting point, the processes to prepare a job for 3d printing is very similar to the process needed to prepare a job for laser-cutting.

Carving and Machining

Our CNC capability allows us to work with a wide range of  materials.  This opens up the possibility of adding carved wood, machined plastic and engraving  to our models.  We frequently use our CNC machine to make custom wooden bases or presentation cases for our models.

Polyamide (PA)

Polyamide (PA12) is a robust nylon material.  Usually used with “Selective Laser Sintering” where a very fine powder is fused into a solid by laser, layer-by-layer.

The advantage of powder-based materials is that the loose powder provides support during the manufacturing process which makes it possible to print complex shapes that would otherwise need additional supports to be created.

PA is an excellent material for scale models. It takes colour well and is tough enough to make articulated joints and withstand handling if the model will be used to demonstrate operation.  

Default colour: white. Can be dip-dyed or sealed, primed and airbrushed to the desired colour.

Surface finish: Good levels of detail with a slightly grainy feel. Can be printed at thicknesses of 1mm (or slightly less).

The unfinished material is porous, but can be impregnated with a sealant or given a coat of acrylic varnish to protect from stains.

Alumide

Alumide is a Polyamide (PA) nylon infused with a low percentage of aluminium powder. 

The Aluminium powder improves strength, makes the material more rigid and increases the heat range.

When used with a grey PA base material, the aluminium powder takes on the look of silica in granite.  For that reason, we sometimes use Alumide to represent granite in architectural models.

While the surface finish is excellent, the trade-off is that Alumide cannot be printed quite as thin and does not support the same levels of fine detail as PA. 

Gypsum for 3d printing in colour

Gypsum powder fused with a binder (similar to superglue) and coloured using inkjet technology.

Excellent for decorative parts requiring colour but the parts are quite brittle and will break if dropped.

Steel

Laser sintered steel powder which is then reinforced by wicking in molten bronze.

Can be plated in nickel, chrome or gold.

Inexpensive starter tier for 3d printed metals. Useful for decorative parts. Not suitable for engineering applications due to the lack of certification covering the manufacturing process.

The finish can be variable as it depends on the placement of parts in the furnace when the molten bronze is wicked into the part. We like the aged metal look that is achieved as this lends itself very well to our clan crest collections.

Bronze

A master version is 3d printed in a wax-like material.  An investment casting process is then used where a mould is made around the 3d printed master and the wax part is burned-out when molten bronze is poured into the mould.

We like the way this brings together digital manufacture with casting techniques that have been around for millenia.

After casting, the part is polished and finished with a PU coating to protect against tarnishing.

Similar to brass, we use high density 3d models to make sure we make best use of the high quality potential of the material.

This is our favourite material for our clan crest collection, it gives beautiful results that look and feel high-quality.

Brass with precious-metal plating

The part is 3d printed in a wax-like material suitable for investment casting.  A mould is formed around the 3d-printed part and molten brass is poured into the mould. 

The brass part is then polished and can be plated in precious-metals. We particularly like rhodium plating for a beautiful finish that would not look out of place in a jewellers shop.

Brass parts are much higher quality than the cheaper laser sintered steel.  We use higher density 3d models for this process to get the best possible surface finish.

Resin

Formed from a photoreactive liquid using Stereolithography (SLA).  A laser cures the resin layer-by-layer as the finished object is gradually drawn up out of the liquid.

There are a wide range of resins, some of which can closely represent the properties of plastics and finishes used in injection moulding. Resin can be an excellent way to prototype products before committing to expensive tooling required for injection moulding.

Resin parts can have very high levels of detail and very smooth surface finishes.

Models often require high quality labels or information panels.   We can print full colour labels on aluminium sheet (up to A4 size) in a range of finishes (brushed aluminium, gloss aluminium, satin gold, gloss gold or gloss white) to incorporate your logo, artwork or text in the model.

Note:  Our printer does not print white – white areas in your design will allow the background to show through. If white is important to your design, we recommend you choose the gloss white option.  

Using the same equipment,  we can produce name badges with pin-backs or magnetic badge backs for staff or corporate events.

We offer label making as a stand-alone service.