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Ben

This author has written 143 articles

Additive layer manufacturing: From ‘art’ to ‘part’

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, in conjunction with Materials and Design Exchange (MaDE), Materials KTN and Exeter University Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) recently held an event at Exeter University to inform businesses in the South West  about the range of services and technologies available in the region. The day was organised by Phil Brownsord of EEF and John Bound of MaDE, the Materials and Design Exchange, a part of the Knowledge Transfer Network and featured speakers including Nick Grace from the RCA, Dr. Sara Flint of CALM and Amalgam’s own Mike Harvey. Apart from the various presentations which covered various aspects of Additive Layer Manufacturing and Product Development the day also included a tour of CALM’s impressive facilities with Richard Davies and James Bradbury providing demonstrations of the various processes on site. Additive layer manufacturing Often referred to simply as "Additive Manufacturing" or "AM" is a branch of 3D printing -…

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Centre for Sustainable Energy Models

The Centre for Sustainable Energy has come back for another set of our engaging home insulation displays. This is the 14th set we have made, a total of 42 models. The models are 1:2 scale sections of internal, external and cavity wall insulation, and effectively illustrate how to better insulate one's home and reduce energy bills. Small, chunky, portable and cheap models like this can be an invaluable asset when selling products and services of any kind; having something tactile, physical and engaging is an immediate talking point for potential clients.

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INCLUDE DESIGN

The Include Design campaign aims to raise awareness on the issue and make changes to the Ebacc, which has been described as 'unworkable ' by Glenys Stacey, head of Ofqual, the body which regulations qualifications across the UK. The newly proposed Ebacc qualification (intended to curtail grade inflation and replace GCSEs) will exclude Design and the Arts from the nation’s educational agenda. This is disturbing, and several bodies have been set up to counter the decision or at least add a 'Sixth Pillar' of creative subjects to the curriculum. If the Ebacc remains unchanged then entire generations of design industry and creative professionals will be lost to less practical subjects. Also missing from the Ebacc, which claims to be 'well-rounded', are IT (a cornerstone of our economy) and Religious Education (which is vital in a multicultural country like the UK). Ultimately removing creative subjects from a generation is to hamper the economic abilities of…

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CNC Recycled Sheet Materials

Recently we have been experimenting with a sheet material made from 100% recycled plastic. The material is responsive to CNC routing and can be cut into panels on our new machine - it has already made its way into an architectural project which we will announce in the new year. It offers an alternative to plywood or MDF, and being fully recyclable, any waste and offcuts can be returned to the manufacturer. We are always on the lookout for new materials with new properties, particularly those that are recycled or sustainably sourced. Head to http://www.ecosheet.com/ to find out more.

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Sizewell Visitor’s Centre Interactives in the News

Our work for EDF Energy can be seen in the news again, this time at Sizewell Visitor's Centre. Head to www.eadtv.co.uk to see a video of some of our engaging and informative interactives - we are still very much in the middle of the project and will announce full details in the new year.

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Oscar Niemeyer 1907 – 2012

Award-winning architect Oscar Niemeyer passed away yesterday at 104 years of age. Famous for pioneering use of reinforced concrete, and the use of abstract forms within architecture, Niemeyer designed many modernist buildings in his distinctive curved style now considered to be iconic.

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Hinkley Visitor’s Center Interactives covered by BBC

Our interactives for Hinkley Power Station visitor's center can be seen in this video by the BBC, as can besuited Amalgam Models project manager Dan Fenwick. The video can be seen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-20601912, and more details on the interactives will be announced in the new year.

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Marine Current Turbines’ Seagen model at House of Commons

The Seagen model was recently on display at the House of Commons, as part of an event organised by the Renewable Energy Association and hosted by the SeaBed User Development Group. The model has withstood two and a half years of transportation, assembly, handling and dissassembly, coming back into our workshop only once in its lifetime for cosmetic touchups. The project also received an award at last week’s International Tidal Energy Summit, winning the Device Developer Business Case Award based on the project's  “solid and applicable business case”. More details can be found on the Marine Current Turbines website, and more detail on our Seagen model can be found in the 'Our Work' section.

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Hinkley Power Station opens Visitor Centre

Hinkley Power Station opens its visitor centre today, featuring a series of interactives built and installed by Amalgam for EDF Energy. Constructed as part of a scheme to raise awareness and inform the public on nuclear energy, these engaging interactives ranged from demonstrations on how nuclear power is used to create energy, how the process is managed and how much energy is needed to power modern appliances. They form part of a larger project which we have been working on for most of 2012, more details of which will be announced in the new year.

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Hydrate for Health shortlisted for The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2013 in Healthcare Innovation

Hydrate for health's The 'Hydrant' water bottled developed by Mark Moran, is a simple yet effective healthcare innovation designed to allow immobile hospital patients to keep themselves hydrated and do away with cumbersome and heavy bedside jugs of water. Amalgam Modelmaking assisted Mark in the development of the one-piece screw cap and integrated clip, central to his innovation. The prototypes were used for evaluation and testing before marketing the bottle to the healthcare industry. The product has now been short listed for The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2013 in Innovation. Head over to our work for more details on the Hydrant. Healthcare innovations such as the Hydrant are typical of the type of project undertaken by Amalgam either working directly for clients such as Mark Moran or via other design / product development companies.  

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