An interesting project we have been working on recently has been for a model of a 50-litre beer keg to be used as a display model. We used a hollow Ureol block – high-density foam that can easily be machined – to create the basic shape of the keg. This was then CNC turned and milled to produce the details on the outside, the ridges, curves and handles.

Once the machining had all been completed we were then able to spray the keg to the customer’s specifications.

To achieve the high quality finish the surface is polished after painting, with another coat being applied afterwards, then polishing again. This process is repeated until the surface gives the appearance of plastic or metal, with a highly reflective quality.

As with many of our model making orders, the aesthetics of the finished model were of high importance, as this particular job was to be used in a display it had to have a high quality finish.

We are also able to incorporate cost efficiency into many of our projects; keeping the final aim in mind we can consider using various materials depending on their properties and alter machining operations to suit.

Being able to use such a variety of materials is a valuable facility as many projects incur amendments prior to manufacture, last minute changes to drawings and design adjustments often require extra consideration, this can often lead to the material of the entire model being substituted shortly before production in order to allow for such changes.