3D-printing - Design and Fabricaton
We have found that there is a lack of after-market parts in the large-scale boat model industry. We have a design team that is working to fill that gap, whether it be for our own large-scale model kits, or for individuals who want specific parts for unique models.
For fine parts, we use resin printing technology and for larger parts we use FDM printing. This combination of technologies allows us to keep prices reasonable and speeds up the printing process.
And, of course, everything is Made in Canada.
When I was a kid, I had an uncle who was an architect and who had spent some years teachng design at the Fashion Institute of Fort Lauderdale. One of his courses involved teaching people to use 3D-printers to create what he called a “bone chair”, the idea being that the chair could only be created using 3D-printing technology. The chair had to support a 300-pound person.
Fast-forward a couple of decades and my goal with 3D-printing is to create miniature items that are very difficult to fabricate on a modeller’s workbench.
Our first design was this wonderful wicker chair, that was originally intended for our Charles Mower power boat design.
We now make this chair in a number of sizes for all sorts of interesting models.
Structural parts to help construction
There was a time when people would insert a more-or-less accurate piece of balsa at the bow and stern of model ships and then would sand these down to conform to an approximate shape.
With 3D-models, we can create very accurate representations of those parts of ships and boats and these can be used as inserts. These inserts are used between frames and then really simplify your hull construction.
If you want to know more about these inserts, please click here.
Complete Decorative Parts Sets
For each of our models, we are now designing and fabricating a complete line of decorative parts. These include a variety of winches, cleats, blocks, air vents, and even a different wheel for each model.
We have parts for fishing boats, tugboats, sailboats, and powerboats.
Soon we will even have figures available for some of our models!
Of course, our team can manage the entire design and fabrication process for you. We can start with your drawings, a few pictures, or even some design ideas “on a napkin”. Over the years, we have learned to start with very little information to come up with something interesting and we have also learned to pull out just what is needed to show design intent in a complex model.
We also supply display cases for your models, and we can even source a perfect travel case in case your model needs to go from place to place.
Please click in the picture to the left to see the design and fabrication process for the model of a Canadian underwater logging company.
