Bristol - Model Makers Bristol / Amalgam Model Making

Bridging the Gap – Clifton Suspension Bridge Educational Models, and ‘Shape My City’ events

May 7, 2015

Bridge Exhibition Educational Models at CSBVC The Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor's Centre, CSBVC, is hosting our Bridge Exhibition, each bridge being an engaging educational model to teach the engineering principles of bridges to youngsters. The exhibition was previously installed at the Architecture Centre on Bristol's lively waterfront as part of the Bridge's 150th anniversary. Details on the Architecture Centre exhibition can be found here. The Bridge Exhibition features a range of different bridges presented as kits; for example, the 'Arch' bridge is made with a system of blocks, which must be put together in the correct sequence for the bridge not to fall apart. In every case, these educational models were designed so that children could understand the forces and principles at work. The educational models were designed and fabricated completely in-house, with factors such as durability, ease of use and safety firmly in mind. Shape My City at…

Exploring Scale and Vision – Update

January 21, 2015

The Architectural Model: Exploring Scale and Vision opens today! We are delighted that our architectural model show, Exploring Scale and Vision, opens to the public today and hope that you find time to visit The Architecture Centre in Bristol between 21 January and 15 March to see it. Many of our clients have loaned their architectural models and project photos to the display, for which we are grateful – thank you. Highlights on show include several planning models from Conran and Partners and Stride Treglown; competition models for Weston Williamson – the Living Bridge, Miami Metromover and Luton Airport and Caspian, the architectural model boat built for Claydon Reeves, Redcliffe ProCathedral, and the model of Cheddar Gorge commissioned by NVB Architects for Longleat Enterprises Ltd and case studies to help explain the process of making architectural models. The Architecture Centre is hosting several events during February which we are supporting…

The Architectural Model: Exploring scale and vision at the Architecture Centre January 2015

December 12, 2014

Exciting news from our workshop in the run up to Christmas – we are busy preparing the next exhibition for the Architecture Centre, and it’s all about one of our favourite topics – yes, that’s right, The architectural model. To develop the display we were asked to reveal the processes behind our craft and share our insight on how an architectural model contributes to design. Of course, it all begins with great design – whether the model is for an architect or even a product prototype – yet when we interrogate their design we have a unique opportunity to help our clients realise their vision. An architectural model – irrespective of its’ key objective, for a competition or planning consultation – always offers the audience something special which a computer generated image (CGI) cannot. With our models, we use a wide range of techniques to capture the essence of a…

An overview of our CNC machining services

November 11, 2014

At Amalgam we provide a range of premier CNC machining services. This covers machining forms from client-supplied CAD, to being able to offer a complete end-to-end design and fabrication service. We can develop technical drawings based on conceptual images, machine the parts and assemble the structure, all completely in-house. We can also arrange for transportation and installation of larger projects, as we did with the range of EDF Energy interactives. Beyond simply being a cutting tool for sheet material, we are constantly developing new and better techniques for using the CNC within our workshop. In this article we’ll be going over some of these applications, which in turn are services we can offer our clients. Substructure Design and Fabrication This Rooftop Yurt was one of three constructed for the Timber Frame Company as an interlocking skeleton of ribs cut from sheets of plywood. The structure was then skinned with timber and copper creating a sealed environment. By…

Educational models by Amalgam on show in Bristol

October 22, 2014

Educational models clifton suspension bridge

Making an exhibition of ourselves? Bristol’s Architecture Centre, on the waterfront quay by the Arnolfini, is currently showing Desire Lines: Romance and Rationalism in Bridge Design until Sunday 16 November. The Centre gave us the brief to create a set of educational models with which visitors – especially children – could interact and experiment with types of bridge design. So, the exhibition features three bridge building kits, designed and constructed here in Amalgam’s workshop. The aim is to inspire visitors with the diversity of bridge building techniques, as well as provide an historical background as part of Bristol’s Bridge 150 celebrations. Unique to this display, the Architecture Centre and Amalgam devised a set of top trumps cards – to add a fun and memorable element into the exhibition display – as well as offering a bridge drawing competition for the junior visitors. Also on show, back in Bristol after several…

Architecture Exhibitions and Chimps

May 23, 2014

Installed at the Architecture Centre down on Bristol Waterfront, the Living City is an interactive architecture exhibition where an analogy is drawn between the city and a human body. Users are encouraged to think about what is needed to create a balanced, healthy urban environment. The centrepiece for this exhibition is a model we made for the Center for Sustainable Energy some time ago; in its original context the PlanLoCal model shows how various low carbon technologies can be installed in rural and urban settings. In its new role in this exhibition, the model features an interactive element, where users can place magnetic icons along the sides of the base to highlight key points within the 'city-body', such as energy, transport and recycling. The exhibition also features key documents and case studies, and runs until the 10th of August. You can see some images up on the Architecture Centre's Facebook page. Be…

Come and talk Product Prototyping at Venturefest 2013

November 11, 2013

Venturefest Bristol 2013 Is, once again, organised by Science City Bristol in partnership with the Technology Strategy Board. This years event is taking place on Thursday 14th November 2013 at the UWE Conference Centre in Bristol. Bristol prototyping and model making specialists Amalgam will be there, offering free advice on Product Prototyping, general product development and a range of allied subjects, all relevant to inventors, innovators and designers looking to turn their good ideas into commercial realities. The Venturefest show is in it's third year and promises to be better than ever. Our stand at the 2012 show drew a steady stream of visitors throughout the day asking a wide range of questions about Product Prototyping, Product development, CAD, 3D printing and much more besides. This year we are back, with a range of samples showing some of the processes we can offer for product prototyping, case studies of previous…

The Adventurer: Curse of the Midas Box – Trailer Online, Props by Amalgam Propmaking Services

October 28, 2013

Propmaking Bristol A while back we made a range of props for The Adventurer: the Curse of the Midas Box, a production filmed on location in Bath and at the recently renovated Bottleyard. The facility adds to Bristol and the South West's strong heritage for creative talent, stunning locations and cutting edge facilities. While we cannot give away all the details just yet, some of our past projects can be seen by heading over to Our Work. Our propmaking facilties are comprehensive and cutting-edge, and we are able to offer CNC machining services, vacuum casting services for batch productions runs of props in a range of materials and hardnesses, as well having access to a wealth of creative talent in the form of set designers, sculptors, artworkers and artists to bring the props to life. Our large workshop and flexible setup means we can take on…

“If Only It Worked” Bath, May 10th

May 12, 2013

Rob Bakewell, our Casting Manager, was on hand recently at the IfOnly UX 'If Only It Worked' Product Design conference to offer advice and guidance relating to all areas of prototyping, specifically the vacuum casting process that we use to great effect in realising product designs, prototypes, innovations and much more besides. Amalgam Modelmakers are actively involved in events, conferences and shows such as this, and participate regularly as part of the Southwest's design community. The conference was held with the intention of exploring how user experiences influence design; consequently extensive research and prototyping is necessary to streamline and fashion an initial concept into a working production-ready product. Amalgam's prototyping and design services cover all ground between these two points, and we have a solid history of success stories from designers and inventors who have approached us with ideas that we have guided to market. The IfOnly UX Product Design Conference is just one of…

Hydrate for Health inventor Mark Moran introduces Dr Philip Hammond to The Hydrant

February 23, 2013

Hydrate for Health inventor Mark Moran could be heard this morning in a radio interview with well-known TV & radio broadcaster and GP Dr Philip Hammond. Since finding himself frustrated by not being able to reach a drink following a spinal operation Mark has dedicated his life to the solution, forming his own company Hydrate for Health to develop and promote his Hydrant idea. It has been several years since Mark first approached Amalgam to help him design The Hydrant but we are still in contact and follow the progress of Hydrate for Health and The Hydrant in particular. Our original case study can be read here. https://amalgam-models.co.uk/projects/the-hydrant-water-bottle. describing how we used a combination of 3D scanning to design the screw cap with its combined clip /handle feature, which was followed by rapid prototyping of the design and resin vacuum casting to produce a batch of trial parts. You can…