Industry - Model Makers Bristol / Amalgam Model Making

Ambulance Medical Training Aid at University of South Wales, Pontypridd

October 25, 2013

The Ambulance Simulator is designed to be an interactive medical training aid and environment for paramedic staff and students. As such the interior includes all the typical features found inside an ambulance, and is, as far as possible, a faithful replication of a real ambulance interior with such features as non-slip flooring, the modular storage system which lines the walls and positionable chairs. It was recently installed at the University of South Wales. Our exhibition and display team were able to quickly fabricate the medical training aid by cutting the bulk of the panel work on our CNC machine. This enabled us to block out the internal dimensions of the ambulance and populate it with the equipment, facilities and supplies that would be used in a real emergency situation. We have a strong tradition of projects used in medical and care contexts. These have included innovative product designs such…

New Naval model making Projects

October 7, 2013

Over the past few months we have been busy on a range of new naval model making projects. Three of these were for BMT Defence Services, being the BMT Defence Services Logistic and Support Vessel (LSV), the Venator® - 110, and an interior detail model of the Vidar® - 7. These models were displayed at DSEI 2013. Amalgam has a strong tradition for providing naval model making services for a broad range of marine industries. Models we have made have ranged from sleek, streamlined speed forms for designers and naval architects, to fine-detail scale model luxury superyachts, to military and industrial vessels for trade shows and conferences. Head to Our Work to see more. We have also been busy on projects for feature film and television, more details of which will be announced soon. This has seen us provide our set building and prop making services; being situated in the…

EDF Energy Touring Exhibition at Party Political Conferences

September 17, 2013

The modular, highly transportable EDF Energy Touring Exhibition, featuring a number of engaging interactives and streamlined versions of our larger displays, will be present at three upcoming Party Political Conferences. The exhibition has been present at trade shows, conventions, conferences and events since earlier this year. The EDF Energy Touring Exhibition is a portable recreation of the displays and interactives we have made for the various EDF Energy visitor's centres around the country. While the Touring Exhibition has been sent along the length and breadth of the country, our seven permanent exhibitions have been experienced by thousands of members of the public. Nearly every member of staff contributed to these impressive pieces which involved our skills as metalworkers, electricians and engineers, involving CNC machining and traditional hand skills, as well as a keen understanding of human interaction and exhibition design. The EDF Energy visitor's centres and touring exhibition have been regular fixtures…

Amalgam’s Models at DSEI show

September 10, 2013

The DSEI 2013 defence and security exhibition begins on the 10th of September, and will continue until the 13th. The exhibition features over 1500 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, to some of whom we have recently provided our marine model making services. More details on the models will be announced soon. Amalgam Models have provided many models to the defence and security industries, largely as exhibition and marketing applications at global events such as DSEI. One such success is the BMT Mastiff, which includes cast rubber tyres and extremely high levels of detail. Other exhibition and 'event' models we have made for conferences and trade shows include the Seagen Tidal Turbine and the Asry-Centrax Powerbarge, both of which had to be built to withstand regular international touring.

PlanLoCaL scale model gets an update

September 9, 2013

Some years back, Amalgam created a four-baseboard modular scale model of a generic British urban area for the Centre for Sustainable Energy. The model has been back through our doors for touch ups and some fresh paint, but we've added a 1,044 Megawatt Solar Farm, an Anaerobic Digestion Plant, and some 1/1000 scale cows to provide the plant with, erm, fuel. Ultimately the model is designed to show a community the various renewable energy options available to them. It also allows them to consider whether a certain process is appropriate for their local economy, or what the visual impact would be on the surrounding countryside. Amalgam have provided a range of models to the Centre for Sustainable Energy over the years, including our Wall Insulation models (of which we made 13 sets) ,and the Energy Home, which shows how a modern family home can be made more energy efficient. Head to Our Work…

New Blades and Made in Brunel graduate showcases

June 14, 2013

This time of year sees the advent of two significant degree shows; the New Blades Modelmaking degree show and the Made in Brunel graduate showcase. Both are an opportunity for graduates to make invaluable contacts within their industries, to show off their work, skills and passions, and for seasoned professionals to meet young people with fresh eyes and good ideas. The New Blades took place at Holborn Studios and featured some truly outstanding work; the show guide is available for download at the 4D Modelshop website. It is also a chance to meet old friends and former colleagues as the bulk of the UK's model making companies and their representatives meet. The Made in Brunel Graduate Showcase aims to draw the attention of the design industry to a pool of innovative aspiring designers and engineers. This year, former Amalgam intern Jeremy Ireland (https://madeinbrunel.com/) will be showcasing his…

Prototype Plastic Moulding: Vacuum Casting and 3D Printing

June 13, 2013

A little over twenty years ago, 3D printing or Rapid Prototyping as it was then known, changed the world. The recent explosion of interest in the process is not indicative of a sea change in the industry, but a public awakening to an industrial process that is quick, convenient and downright cool. The science fiction ideal of being able to manifest objects from your computer captures the imagination; could you 3D print a model yacht, a concept design of a yacht, a full-sized working cruiser? Designers, architects and artists have embraced 3D printing and innovative projects are appearing daily. There are, however, limitations. It is important to remember that 3D printing and all the associated Additive manufacturing technologies, stereolithography, laser sintering, etc. are stages of a greater whole - prototyping. A 3D print is generally a step towards production, not production itself, and while it is tempting to think of a…

“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…

Animatronic grasshopper on front of Industrial Technology magazine

May 3, 2013

The Asco Numatics Animatronic grasshopper was a project Amalgam modelmakers undertook a while back, but can now be seen on the front cover, and in the pages of, Industrial Technology magazine. The grasshopper was modified from a previous set of sculpts which needed a fair amount of repair work and all round updating. Amalgam sculptors added a new set of mandibles and gave the whole model a fresh coat of durable paint to withstand the movement and handling the grasshopper would receive. The Asco Numatics grasshopper itself is a display aid and incorporates various technologies from packaging, manufacturing and machine-building industries. You can read the full article by heading over to https://www.industrialtechnology.co.uk/. While we provided a sculpting and finishing service for this model, others we have produced along similar lines include the Anatomical Heart Valve model for the Glasgow Science Centre, and the Aardman 'Thinking Cap' exhibition pieces.

Weston Williamson receive recognition for Miami Metromover Station

March 7, 2013

Miami Metromover Station, designed by Weston Williamson, has recently been awarded a Special Judges’ Recognition at the 2013 MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Awards. The Amalgam architectural model making team built an intricate model of the Metromover station, which can be viewed here. Read the full Weston Williamson article on the Miami Metromover Station at - https://www.westonwilliamson.com/news.