4D modelshop workshop services

• Artwork can be e-mailed to us or sent on disc in any windows format, ideally as an .EPS .DWG .CDR. .DFX or .Ai file.

• We do accept image files such as .JPG .TIFF .GIF .BMP but you must make sure that these images are at a resolution that makes them crisp (i.e. 300dpi for .JPG).

• MAC users should save artwork as an .EPS, Ai, freehand or Photoshop files.

• embed fonts and convert to paths.

• If you are using special fonts, include the font suitcase with your order.

• It is useful to include notes with your artwork indicating any relevant information such as: final size, colour, whether you are repeating an image etc.

If you do not wish to prepare your artwork, we do offer an artwork preparation service at a cost of £48.00/hour.

E-mailed artwork will incur a cost of £16.00 for downloading & preparation.

You will find specific information on how to prepare your artwork for acid etching, and laser on the appropriate page.

Artwork Preparation

On the etching artwork below:

To create the diaorama above on 0.2/8 thou brass all lines must have a minimum width of 0.25mm and the minimum gap width (where etched through) is 0.28mm - see table below for line & gap restrictions for all metal thicknesses.

The etching above has fold lines so a three dimensional diaorama can be created (below).

Metal & thickness options

We can etch in brass, nickel and phosphor bronze in the range of thickness' below. A maximum etching area of 12’’x 20” is possible, although we recommended an A3/A4 size for speed and economy.

Finer detailing can be achieved with thinner thicknesses of metal. The chart below shows the minimum line width and minimum gaps between those lines that can be etched with the range of metal thicknesses:

E.g. For 10 thou brass the minimum line width is 12 thou (0.30mm) and the minimum spacing between those lines is 14 thou (0.35mm).

Price Guide

Please note you will be charged for the Phototool (one off charge) + the metal sheet charge.

finished artwork, e-mailed to us can usually be returned within 48 hours

We can turn your artwork into:

dry transfers - produced as single colour, multi colour or foil (silver, pale gold, rich gold) transfers

photo realistic film - photo quality dry transfers

waterslides - transfers that are applied wet and slid into place

direct image transfers

Artwork preparation

We will colour match your transfer to any pantone, metallic or other reference. Transfers can be produced with either a low or high tack adhesive on them depending on your requirements.

For single colour transfers provide the artwork in black with a colour reference.

For multi coloured transfers it is best to provide separated artwork with a reference for each colour. We can separate artwork for you at a cost of £48.00/hr.

Artwork produced by us on computer from your annotated sketches will be faxed, emailed or posted to you so you can confirm that it is correct before the transfers are made.

This service is typically used by product designers for logos, numbering and lettering, or by architectural model makers for detailing on buildings such as windows and doors.

We have also undertaked work for the hobby market, producing detailing for trains and military vehicles.

Laser cutting & engraving

We can cut components up to 720mm long by 420mm wide, out of material thickness from 0.1mm up to 15mm (depending on the material), and engrave graphics at up to 1000dpi, out of many varied materials.

MATERIALS

Most commonly cut are acrylics, wood, card, fabric.

We cut no metals, but if you require something cut from metal our acid etching department can be contacted at etching@modelshop.co.uk.

We cannot cut glass or stone (or anything that won't burn) although we may be able to etch the surface.

We will not cut PVC, or anything containing vinyl (or anything that will create toxic fumes when burnt).

If you have something unusual (types of fabric etc) you are unsure of we will try it as long as it looks benign.

ARTWORK

We accept artwork in DXF, DWG, CDR, AI, EPS, PDF, JPG formats. We also accept artwork in good old pen and paper, however, hand drawn artwork will be subject to a fee for conversion to vectors.

All files should come with a 100mm line next to the artwork for scale purposes which can be downloaded here:

	100mm scale.dwg		100mm scale.cdr
	100mm scale.dxf		100mm scale.ai

ENGRAVING

Our laser department specialises in custom engraving, we can cut to the depth you need in the material you want. Past projects have included rubber stamps, business cards*, ouija board, clock faces, portraits, printing blocks and book covers.

The possibilities are limited only by your vision. We can engrave onto a wide range of materials, if you have something you’re interested in having custom engraved then give us a call and we’ll see what we can do.

ROTARY ATTACHMENT

The 4D laser can engrave onto the surfaces of cylindrical objects using our rotary attachment. Practical applications in modelmaking and artwork installation, the tool also creates great gifts.

COST

Our basic minimum price for lasering is £96.00 (+VAT). This consists of a £48 (+VAT) setup charge and £48 (+VAT) up to one hour of laser cutting time.

Each additional hour of lasering will cost £48 (+VAT).

We charge £7.39 (+VAT) for the taping up of materials with a low tack tape. This protects the surfaces from scorch-marks (on card, wood) and from 'gloom' (on acrylics).

Any artwork preparation is charged at £24 (+VAT) per 1/2 hour.

If the job requires repeat cutting there is a set up charge of £24 (+VAT)

It is not possible to give an average length of a job as every job is different, but if you send us artwork (or a portion of...) we will do our best to give an estimate.

STUDENTS RECEIVE A 10% STUDENT DISCOUNT

EXAMPLE

An A3 size elevation cut in 3mm perspex with windows, doors and stonework shown, drawn with each element type in a layer and colour of it's own, (see below) with no XRefs or Blocks and scaled to size, sent by email, can be cut for as little as £84 +vat.

Example of possible layers:
Windows layer blue
Scribing (stonework) layer red
Profile layer green

ANY QUESTIONS? Feel free to ring or email for advice on artwork preparation or for a quote.

Tel 020 7264 1288 ask for the laser department
Email laser1@modelshop.co.uk

We can take your three dimensional master and replicate it as many times as you require.

Master

Your master should ideally be made from metal. It can be made from softer materials such as resin wood, perspex, polystyrene or milliput, but for fragile masters a more expensive mould will have to be made.

The mould is made in two pieces so your master must be constructed in such a way that there are no undercuts, otherwise the casting may become trapped in the mould.

Please call for advice on how to make your master before you start.

We cast in white metal alloys and coloured resin.

Metal castings are made using a centrifugal casting method and is suited to the replication of smaller masters.

Typical projects include:

• Architectural Model Detail

• Fine Art Installations

• Jewellery

• Souvenirs

• Corporate Gifts

• Games & Toys

The maximum size of the master being 90mm x 90mm x 15mm deep.

Resin castings is more suited for smaller production runs of larger, more bulky items or items that are too intricate for white metal casting.

The resultant resin casting is cream in colour and can be sprayed with acrylic and cellulose finishes.

Coloured resins are available but they tend to be more brittle and the tones tend to vary. The casts have a with a very smooth finish with any surface detailing being vividly reproduced.

Resin casting takes place in a vacuum chamber to alleviate the formation of surface bubbles.

The chamber is available for hire for personal use at a rate of £30.00 p/h. The chamber has a diameter of 27cm and is 34cm deep.

The pricing for the casting is broken down into two parts. Firstly there is a set up charge for the moulds. Secondly there is a charge per item cast.
Mould set up starts from £115.00.

For more details, please call 020 7264 1288 or e-mail us.

• Typical projects:

• Thomas the Tank Engine animated / real life film (Canada)

• James Bond 007 film set (UK)

• Legoland tourist park(Europe)

• Millennium Dome model (UK)

• The Event Horizon 'biosphere' (Warner Films)

We undertake custom tree and plant builds for clients with specific requirements which do not lie within our standard range of trees.

Our team of experienced craftsmen will construct a tree/plant following any criteria that you set down. Each tree is individually hand made and we pride ourselves with the level of detail that we can achieve.

You may merely require a specific colour foliage on one of our standard trees, or need a larger scale tree.

Trade Account customers can take advantage of our range of stock texture finishes to modify their tree foliage (Texture Gallery). We can also pantone match textures, please contact us for details.

Texture Gallery

Trade account information

We can also make up textures to your pantone reference, please contact us for details.

We often undertake custom work for film and television.

eg: The 300mm Silver birch (right) was made for the Thomas the Tank Engine live action/animated film. The trunk and branches were constructed from twisted wire with individually brass etched leaves attached.