Charge Bikes Prototype Packaging Design

May 1, 2013

Amalgam designers created this prototype saddle packaging for Charge Bikes. The CAD design was drawn up by our experienced packaging designers, for both the elegant chromed mounting display plate and the refined presentation box, made from recycled card. Our range of experience and extensive workshop allow us to take on a diverse range of projects and keep most of the processes under one roof, offering a complete and comprehensive service to our clients that begins with design and leads right through to prototyping and manufacture. For the Charge Bikes prototype packaging design, we were able to draw up every aspect as minimal-tolerance CAD, fabricate those components with a combination of processes including lasercutting, CNC routing and vacforming, and finally include the graphic and branding elements. Bristol has a strong cycling culture, and being cycling enthusiasts ourselves, we are naturally excited whenever a project of this nature comes our way.

Competition Model for BAM Construction

April 15, 2013

This competition model of BAM Construction's proposal for UTC Swindon includes removable roof sections to view the interior spaces of the technology college. The academy features contemporary buildings built around historic structures; these addition are represented on the model by rich walnut woodwork and crisp, intricate acrylic structures.

Anatomical Model

April 2, 2013

This anatomical model for the Glasgow Science Centre includes silicon lungs which flex organically as the mechanical heart pumps. Rows of LEDs cast inside silicone arteries show the movements of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood through the body.

The Shard – Babbacombe Model Village

March 27, 2013

Our Architectural model makers built this 3.5-metre tall model of The Shard for Babbacombe Model Village to withstand the elements, with a sturdy central structure made from interlocking CNC'd panels. We used an eco-friendly recycled plastic composite board for this purpose, and clad the structure with durable polycarbonate reflective panels to create the iconic shimmering facades. At night, the model glows from within in a range of colours and serves as the centrepiece for a laser light show, and the tip contains a camera to take fully panoramic views of the other buildings in Babbacombe Model Village. By far the biggest architectural model we have made in a long while, The Shard was designed to bolt together in sections for easy transportation and installation.

Miami Metromover Station

March 7, 2013

Client: Weston Williamson Amalgam architectural model makers used various processes to achieve the distinct roof on the Miami Metromover station. The model itself is tiny, with the station roof measuring only 6 inches in length. The roof itself looks deceptively simple but for the client was the most important part of the model. To get the look and feel of an ETFE roof we first had to produce a vacuum form master. Using the data supplied by the client we produced a tooling path so that we could CNC route the organic shape from chemical wood. This was then polished to get the best possible finish on the final vacuum formed shape. The surface was made by firstly engraving the grid lines onto a thin piece of acrylic. The laser was unfocused to soften the edges of the grid and allow us to polish it further by hand to achieve the "pillow"…

70-70 Tender Boat Model

March 5, 2013

Being a much smaller form than the larger 80 metre Superyacht models, we were able to add some intricate interior details to this boat model to add a sense of scale and realism.

EDF Energy Exhibition display. Re-enforced Concrete section

February 13, 2013

These Exhibition display models were featured in a series of visitor centres we designed, built and installed for EDF Energy. They show a (Scaled down) section through a re-enforced concrete reactor containment wall, cutaway to show the reinforcing network of metal rods. The main body of the structure was assembled from MDF panels with the cut-away area formed from a carved block of polystyrene. The metal rods are vacuum cast resin replicas, which were art-worked to create a realistic metal finish. A series of washes and speckles were applied to create a convincing and realistic, heavy concrete texture on the front and sides. So real in fact that visitors often refuse to believe they are in fact hollow replicas - until they tap on the sides! The impressive monolithic units can be seen at various visitor's centres around the country.

Promotional display for Thierry Mugler

February 5, 2013

Client: Clarins This Promotional display was created for Thierry Mugler in Selfridges, Oxford Street, our exhibition team created a set of large white perfume bottle shapes in 3D CAD which Our in-house CNC machine then used to produce the mould forms used to create these shapes as lightweight vacuum formings. They were constructed as two halves of a clamshell shape which then slotted together for speed and simplicity at the install. The eye-catching promotional display entitled ‘No Noise’ is comprised of three large, light-weight bottle shapes suspended from a square archway. We also created some smaller back-lit bottle shapes set into the front counter. This was a project for Thierry Mugler and the Clarins Fragrance group, in conjunction with Design 4 Retail. A closer inspection of some of the images will also show sample "Sniffer" bottles with their conical chromed tops, inviting customers to "Take a sniff". These are another Amalgam…

Rotork Sea Truck Work boat Model

November 15, 2012

Client: The James Dyson Foundation The Sea Truck was one of James Dyson's first engineering projects, while still a student at London's Royal College of Art, James Dyson co-invented the Sea Truck work boat. With sales amounting to 500 million. The Sea Truck was a flat-hulled, high-speed water-craft that could land without a harbour or jetty. The now world famous designer first developed the idea for a low-cost, modular work boat for Rotork Marine Ltd. in the 1970's - long before he was known as the man who re-invented the vacuum cleaner. As regular suppliers to Dyson's R&D and marketing departments Amalgam were obviously delighted to be asked by the James Dyson Foundation to produce a model of his iconic design. Our 1/18th scale, full-hull work boat model features intricate components and a fine level of detail, such as the propeller / drive assembly, mast, running lights, deck fittings and…

Seagen Desktop Model

November 15, 2012

Client: Marine Current Turbines After the success of the Seagen tidal turbine model, MCT requested that a smaller desktop model be made of their updated design. The substructure was built largely from brass to be reassuringly solid and heavy for its size, and was housed in a durable Peli case for transport. Smaller-scale, simple models are practical, portable and effective, adding impact to boardroom meetings, being able to augment a presentation and communicate ideas simply. They can also function as ceremonial presentation models or trophies; similar models we've provided along these lines are the Speedform yacht designer's tools, and the Wall Insulation Models for the Center for Sustainable Energy. These models are relatively low-cost, portable and simple.