STFC Vulcan Laser Amplifier Interactive Educational Game

August 28, 2016

The STFC Vulcan Laser interactive educational game includes two units. The first is a 1:1, bolt-for-bolt recreation of the laser amplifier itself, which would typically handle a laser beam with a 100mm diameter. The second unit is the point of interaction, being a box with a set of mirrors mounted on sprung rotating points, enabling a user to focus a laser beam through the unit onto a small target. The unit flashes and emits a zapping noise when the laser hits the target. The unit is intended to demonstrate one of the many projects being funded by STFC, in a way that is fun and engaging for children and young people. Adding an interactive element to an educational model is a fantastic way to engage with the public and potential clients, and can be a powerful tool in communicating complex processes to the uninitiated, cementing a brand identity, or…

July 28, 2016

Pre-production-Prototype-Optimec-is830-in-operation

To help UK based Optimec launch their latest contact lens measuring instrument, the Optimec is830, Amalgam manufactured this working pre-production prototype, from a design developed between Optimec and innovation design consultant, Clive Goodwin at JamSandwich. REQUIREMENT: FULLY FUNCTIONAL PRE-PRODUCTION PROTOTYPE Optimec needed a fully functional pre-production prototype to demonstrate their newest instrument, the Optimec is830, at 2016 EFCLIN Exhibition & Congress in Valencia. It had to be fully functional for visitors to appreciate the technology and the instrument’s capabilities. The Optimec is830 enables contact lens and materials manufacturers, to measure and check the lenses they design and produce, to ensure they meet with the exacting standards required by the industry. Optimec have been manufacturing and supplying metrology instruments worldwide since 1979, and the Optimec is830 addresses the growing need for the complete geometric measurement of contact lenses, for lens design and production, as well as for R&D and academic studies.…

July 21, 2016

We made these striking Magnum ice cream display pieces in a range of designs and sizes as attention-grabbing luxury branding models. They were stationed in shop storefronts and other international locations, including Festival De Cannes. The smaller-sized ice cream models were given unusual surface finish treatments such as tiled floor effect and gold-leafed Rococo decorative elements. The larger, 'Maxi' sized Magnums were constructed to be as light as possible, both for ease of transport and ease of installation. Each of the sixty thousand diamonds were applied by hand, and coated with gloss lacquer of different tints to create shades of caramel, dark and milk chocolate. Construction considerations were particularly important with the larger sized models; the models had to be rigid to resist temperature fluctuation in the Cannes heat, but almost completely hollow for weight considerations. We have made many similar pieces for a range of promotional uses over the…

July 17, 2016

This clean, highly graphic architectural tactile model differs from traditional models in that it has been designed to be perceived almost exclusively by touch. It is to assist those who are blind and visually impaired in understanding the proposed new layout of Gloucester Bus Station, designed by BDP, principally the pedestrian crossings, paved outdoor areas and layout of internal spaces. A standout feature of the tactile model is the 3D printed Braille labels set around the base, indicating road names and various other features. After a number of experiments to reproduce Braille using lasercutting processes, we ultimately decided that 3D printed Braille was the better option. The precision and tolerances of 3D printing allowed us to conform to UK Braille standards of size and spacing – and also create the satisfying rounded ‘bumpy’ texture. The prints are clear as glass, initially designed to be bonded over the standard written text.…

June 15, 2016

Attending a busy exhibition at Parliament on World Malaria Day, Jed Stone from IVCC wanted an innovative way to catch the attention of passers-by. IVCC is a highly specialist not-for-profit, developing insecticides as part of international vector control efforts. Their focus for the exhibition was on making sure MPs understand how the international development funding is being spent. We were commissioned to make exhibition large display models of two mosquito species, which carry vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. His main requirement was for the models to be strong enough to be touched and passed to people, to engage them in discussion. Large display models & design Working from photos of the mosquito species led the team to make innovative choices in the model design stage, to achieve durability. Where one species was built from three parts, these were pinned to improve the…

April 25, 2016

Amalgam prototypers cast the hollow eggs in soft animatable rubber, which could then be injected with real fondant goo and colour matched to the Cadbury's Creme Eggs. We used rapid prototyping processes to cast eggs soft enough to cut through by hand. This allowed the exploding eggs to appear extra chocolatey when broken apart. All the sets and props for this familiar commercial were built at Amalgam, including the main stadium which houses 600 Creme Eggs, a velodrome and the swimming pool dive set. Our exhibition team built and artworked the sets to scale, which were designed to tessellate for easy access to the gooey battle. Our resident engineers designed the rigging so that the hundreds of cast Creme Eggs could be animated individually. The eggheads in the architecture team created a smaller 1:500 scaled model of the egg-shaped stadium for establishing shots.

April 6, 2016

We made these two huge models for SPX Flow Technology using a form of 3D printing to give us our fundamental shapes and tolerances, having taken 3D CAD directly from the client and processing the drawings in-house to be ready for printing. As with the other models we have made for SPX Flow Technology - the CEP Section Model, FT Section Model and Continuous Processing Models - the 3D printed parts were meticulously hand-finished to bring the surfaces up to a sharp graphic finish, and preserve the tolerances of the interconnecting parts. This method of manufacture allowed us to engineer a good amount of durability into the construction, since the models would be travelling to various international trade shows.

March 31, 2016

Homebase Dolls Home Life Improvement Campaign

This 1/12th scale model Doll’s Home for brand communication agencyBlue Rubicon, on behalf of Homebase, is crammed full of detail. Everything from the wallpaper to the flooring, side lamps, working ceiling lights and furniture was produced as scaled replicas of furniture ranges stocked by the home and garden retailer, as part of its Life Improvement campaign. The interior design specification and list of products was created by Homebase’s Design and Well-Being expert, Oliver Heath. The model served as a prototype for improving well-being in the modern home, addressing issues such as; the amount of time families spend together, efficiency in workspaces, gardens and personal areas for ‘me time’ – all with the aim improve the home environment. The model was created for a media briefing event to help visualise Oliver’s 10 Fundamental Pillars to create a more harmonious home, ahead of the campaign launch in March 2016. Key features of…

March 29, 2016

This futuristic 1:200 scale model represents the winning design for the 10,000-seat Barcelona Sports Arena, designed by global architecture firm HOK and Barcelona-based TAC Arquitectes. Before making the 1:200 scale model seen above, we made the smaller, more compact 1:500 version below, used to successfully win the bid. Their client then requested a much larger 1:200 model to be the centerpiece of a press presentation, to launch the project to the public with as big a splash as possible. We had two weeks and a good deal of creative freedom to develop an engaging, high-detail, large scale model, built light enough to fly out to Barcelona for the press event, with a removable roof section robust enough to handle without breaking. The technical drawings associated with the scheme gave a broad overview of forms and internal spaces, and described a scheme moving through its conceptual stages towards completion; the information…

March 17, 2016

Tio, developed using our prototyping service, was dreamt up by three aspiring innovators with a vision to inspire tomorrow’s inventors. They are dedicated to creating a new way of inventing, playing and learning. Tio is the kit anyone can use to create app-controlled toys and inventions with everyday objects and materials like recycled and craft materials, old toys, Lego, gadgets and even 3D prints. It is designed to spark invention, encourage creative play and provide a new way to acquire future skills and knowledge including creative thinking, team work, problem solving, arts and crafts, technology, design and engineering principles. The Tio Kit includes motorised building blocks with built-in LEDs, magnetic mounts, colourful wheels, interchangeable accessories, sticky tabs, stickers and a personalised storybook. It comes with nine pop and fold invention templates to get started before exploring different materials. The free iOS/Android app communicates wirelessly with your creations to customise and program them.…

STFC Vulcan Laser Amplifier Interactive Educational Game

STFC Vulcan Laser Amplifier Interactive Educational Game

Pre-production prototype for Optimec’s latest contact lens measuring instrument

Magnum Luxury Branding Models and Display Pieces

Gloucester Bus Station Architectural Tactile Model

IVCC raise awareness with large display models on World Malaria Day

Goo Games Commercial

SPX Uniglide Models

Homebase ‘Life Improvement’ Doll’s Home

Barcelona Sports Arena

Prototyping service for Tio