Model Builders Inc Blog

Apollo 8 Command Module replica model in "The 1968 Exhibit"

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Tue, Aug 26, 2014 @ 12:32 AM

1968 was an incredible year with a spectacular ending - mankind's first trip to the moon. Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders flew the Apollo Command Module ten times around the moon starting on December 24th.

Model Builders, Inc. created a replica of the Apollo 8 Command Module for "The 1968 Exhibit" which is a month by month journey through a pivotal year for the baby boomer generation. See this video tour for a 4 minute overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hSSHSIJl08 and these photographs of the Command Module replica and some artifacts at https://www.flickr.com/photos/wbaiv/sets/72157632127075078/detail/ . This traveling exhibit is at the Chicago History Museum from Saturday, October 4, 2014 to Sunday, January 4, 2015.

Apollo 8 Command Module replica

Apollo 8 Command Module replica in "The 1968 Exhibit"

The real Apollo 8 Command Module is on loan from NASA to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry and we examined it to ensure detailed accuracy. We had to deal with significant challenges however. For example, having gone through the extreme heat of re-entry the original Apollo 8 Command Module no longer has the silver reflective Mylar heat tape nor very much of the exterior labels that were originally on it.

Thanks to some careful analysis, the replica in "The 1968 Exhibit" has the silver Mylar tape and the pre-flight exterior labels. Like the original Apollo 8 the replica tape pattern is exactly same and the tape width is exactly 4" as on the original. Not all of the Apollo Command Modules had the same reflective tape pattern. However by closely examining the burned residue lines left on about half of the original Apollo 8 Command Module Model Builders, Inc. was able to confirm that the tape pattern we previously had found for the Apollo 13 Module was exactly the same as on the Apollo 8. Model Builders, Inc. was also able to find all of the exterior label details at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Apollo 8 CM tape pattern

Apollo 8 Command Module - Mylar tape pattern

real Apollo 8 CMReal Apollo 8 Command Module - Note parallel white Mylar residue lines 4" apart

The Apollo 8 was the very first in the series of Apollo Command Modules to have a probe for connecting to the Lunar Module and this detail is shown on the replica. It is based on original NASA drawings and also close up photographs taken of a real NASA Apollo probe at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas. The probe mechanism is quite interesting in that on the later Apollo flights it had to latch onto a matching drogue parachute on the Lunar Module. After both were pulled together the twelve smaller latches around the circumference of the docking tunnel locked them together.  That explains the two red circles (representing the silicon o-rings) outside the tunnel. Once connected the hatch in the Command Module was removed, then they removed the probe assembly, then the drogue and finally the hatch on the Lunar Module to be able to get into it. 

Apollo 8 probe

Apollo 8 Probe replica

Model Builders, Inc. had already done a lot of the research necessary for accurately building this Apollo 8 Command Module replica. A few years earlier we built a 1/10 scale model of the Apollo 11 Command, Service and Lunar Modules and a 1/6 scale model of the Apollo 13 CSM -Command and Service Module (with the door blown off and the oxygen tank exploded) for the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center,  The 1/6th scale Apollo 13 CSM model sits next to the real Apollo 13 Command and Service Module in Hutchinson, Kansas. If you are interested in the details of the Apollo Command and Services Modules an excellent book with lots of illustrations in color and cutaway views is "Virtual Apollo" by Scott Sullivan. It is a pictorial essay of the engineering and construction.

We think you might really enjoy "The 1968 Exhibit". After Chicago the exhibit travels in 2015 to the Colorado History Center in Denver and after that the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping industrial designers, manufacturers, institutions and individuals go from idea to reality. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: aviation models, model planes, model, exhibit, model builders, model maker, model makers, airplane models, museum model, aerospace models, props

5 reasons when buying a custom model or prototype to pay for quality

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Sun, Jun 15, 2014 @ 10:24 PM

You should be worried about buying a custom model or prototype based on a lowest-cost bid as we pointed out in our last blog.  Here are five reasons to pay a little more for quality and get a lot more in return.

1. Quality sells.

The impact and quality of a model or prototype built with superior materials or design may lead to far greater sales than the incremental cost of say 10 percent over the lowest quote. That's value.

 GM LIRR  front rt

1/24 scale brass locomotive model - exterior and interior

If a model or prototype is 25 percent or more effective in generating leads than say a quote that costs 10 percent less it is more cost effective. Our experience is that the extra expense is often the difference between a dull model and one that grabs the viewer’s attention. In the case of the 36" long locomotive model pictured above it was also the difference in a more accurate and durable model that we built primarily out of brass instead of plastic.

GM LIRR equip rack resized 600Internal equipment rack prior to painting. Primarily brass construction

The entire exterior of the locomotive body and most of the internal equipment is brass construction with strong silver soldered weld joints .  The model is then very durable and the thickness of the parts is in scale.

2. A model is your reputation - don't mess it up to save a few dollars.

It takes a long time to build up a corporate reputation and a short time to knock it down if you don't meet the expectations of your client or potential client. Put your best model forward.

3. A partnership with a good model maker can raise quality exponentially.

Commissioning a prototype can be a learning experience that simultaneously represents and improves your idea when working with a good model maker.

The best model makers will spend when needed up to a third or more of their time doing research for or with you. For example the U.S. Navy's policy is not to provide drawings on currently commissioned ships. All is well if accuracy is not your goal or if you can do the research required for accuracy. One of Model Builders, Inc's strengths is our exceptional research and commitment to accuracy when it counts. Some of our competitors have had their models rejected by their clients who liked their price but not the inaccurate results.

4. Quality pays, but quality is not free.

Even one step up from the lowest bid can make a big difference in quality. The marginal difference may go to the more talented and experienced staff, more precise tools, more durable and realistic materials, and safer shipping containers, for example. When you commission one model in anticipation of multiple versions later on, buying quality also prevents having to start over later with a different company if the first model is unsatisfactory.

5. The lowest bid often means there is little room for innovation or details that can make a big impact in the final look of the model or prototype.

Montpelier garden

The above picture is of a finely detailed 1:500 scale model garden that is only 5" X 7". The two white lions on the right in the garden are 1/2" long. The holes are only 1/16" diameter for lighted fiber optic cable ends to identify the area by pushing a button. This model type of finely detailed model making takes time and special artistic skill.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping industrial designers, manufacturers, institutions and individuals go from idea to reality. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: aviation models, construction equipment models, railroad equipment model, plant layout model, architectural model, model, architectural models, product cutaway, boat models, product model, prototype, model maker, prototypes, product models, airplane models, topographic model, aerospace models, prototype model

Iterative prototypes and models are often key to a successful product

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Thu, May 01, 2014 @ 01:30 PM

Why do so many products fail in the marketplace? Maybe it is because the developer of the idea didn't do an adequate job of creating a series of prototypes and reviewing them with potential users.

1) The initial idea can be expressed as simply as on a napkin sketch to convey an initial product idea. At first an idea is normally just that with no physical prototype. The Smithsonian has a wonderful exhibit called "Doodles, Drafts and Designs"  that shows examples of this earliest stage of a new idea for a product (see http://www.sil.si.edu/exhibitions/doodles/ ).

Below is a sketch of a ashtray idea for the Scenicruiser bus by Raymond Loewy Associates.

ashtray sketch

 2) A simple prototype model can be an early representation of the final product. It could be as simple as taping or gluing a few pieces of material together. The potential users then have the chance to get a general picture of the product idea that is in development with requirements that are not entirely known and give their reactions to it. Our rule of thumb here is that less than 25% percent of the population can visualize things well in three dimensions unless it is built first in three dimensions.

3) Product development is a iterative process that can begin without a full specification of the final product. You can use a series of models to evolve the idea. To get started just part of the product can be developed and then reviewed by users to identify further requirements. Then repeating this process can continue until the final product appears to be ready for the marketplace. Learning occurs both with the development and with the use of these product prototypes in iterations. Use a series of models to evolve the idea.

4) In the words of David Kelley, the founder of industrial design firm IDEO, design is now a team sport. Model makers at IDEO are more frequently getting involved much earlier in the development of new products to help create the idea before it is physically made. The industrial designer doesn't dictate the design or necessarily be in charge of it.  Instead a team of people with diverse backgrounds (human interaction, user interface, product design, engineering, manufacturing, model making and more) works together to collaboratively and iteratively build on each others ideas. Make sure you have a model maker on your team because your product ideas are far less likely to be a success if you don't.

5) MIT Professor Eric von Hippel, the author of the books "Democratizing Innovation"  and "The Sources of Innovation", observed that users are often the ones who develop a product when they have a need for a new or better product and a place where they would use it. They are ahead of others in a important market.

The Sources of Innovation resized 600

"von Hippel also proposed and tested some implications of replacing a manufacturer-as-innovator assumption with a view of the innovation process as predictably distributed across users, manufacturers, and suppliers. Innovation, he argues, will take place where there is greatest economic benefit to the innovator." Here is a video on lead users studies that 3M did to find lead users to work with to create some of their new products. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNKrX1QxN6U&list=PLD4C0E9AEDF085119 .

6) It is hard to fail if you show prototypes to those who would use the final product and get their feedback. Potential users get the opportunity to test the functionality of the prototype and give feedback to help improve the product.

For additional information you may want to review our blogs including this one "How successful product development was done with a model shop's help" at http://modelbuilders.net/blog/bid/192523/How-successful-product-development-was-done-with-a-model-shop-s-help .

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping industrial designers, manufacturers, institutions and individuals go from idea to reality. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

 


Tags: product model, engineering model, prototype, industrial designer, model builders, model maker, prototypes, model makers, prototype models, industrial design, product development, product models, model builder, industrial scale model, industrial designers, prototype model

Where can you find out about 3D printing of prototypes and models?

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Sat, Mar 29, 2014 @ 10:56 PM

We often have potential clients who are interested in having a prototype or model made with a 3D Printer. However they don't know if 3D printing is the way to build their project better, faster, stronger and at a lower cost. Our experience is that 3D printing can alternatively be not as good, slower, less durable and at a higher cost. It depends on a lot of factors. You need to learn more about 3D printing and it helps to discuss your project with a professional model maker.

Two of the best websites to learn all about 3D printing are www.additive3d.com and www.prototypetoday.com . Those two comprehensive websites give you lots of information on the whole field of 3D printing.

2014 Printing the Future book resized 600

You can also order a informative book "Printing the Future" by Ed Grenda from his website at http://www.additive3d.com/pub_bks.htm .

To get a perspective on 3D printing you should think about it as three categories - 3D printing of prototypes and models, 3D printing of manufactured products and 3D printing for personal fabrication. That is also the order in which those three categories developed.

3D Printing of prototypes and models and 3D Printing of manufactured products

The two largest manufacturers of professional 3D printers are 3Dsystems at www.3dsystems.com and STRATASYS at www.stratasys.com . They make 3D Printers for all three categories of 3D printing. In January, 2014 at the CES show in Las Vegas 3Dsystems had a number of new product announcements and those products are featured on this 54 minute youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWnmzn1rl8A . It will give you some idea of the range of 3D printing products in the marketplace. NOTE that both 3Dsystems and Stratasys  recently purchased companies that make 3D printers for personal fabrication and more recently created new 3D printers for personal fabrication.

The RAPID show organized by SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) is the main conference and tradeshow for companies and institutions to see the vendors of the larger professional 3D printers used for large 3D prints and in metal as well as plastic.

Since the middle 1980's when 3D printing started 3D printers were very expensive so companies and institutions that could afford it bought 3D printers and the CAD (computer-aided design) software so their model shop or an independent professional model shop with the right software and 3D printer could make their prototypes and models. About 7 years ago the least expensive professional 3D printer was about $15,000.00.

3D Printers for personal fabrication

3D Printers for personal fabrication sell mostly fom $400.00 to $5,000.00. There are now over 100 different 3D printers for personal fabrication available. By January, 2009 the first two 3D personal fabricator machines were being sold as kits for about $800.00 each. To get a review of many of these 3D printers for  personal fabrication that are now available see http://www.additive3d.com/3dpr_cht.htm . Also order from MAKE magazine their latest annual review of 3D printers at http://makezine.com/volume/guide-to-3d-printing-2014 which compares 23 of the more popular low end 3D Printers.

Formlabs Form 1 3D Printer

3D Printer for personal fabrication - Form 1 hi resolution 3D printer

However if you buy a 3D Printer you still have to purchase and learn how to use the CAD  software to create the files for the product that you want to 3D print. Alternatively you could use CAD drawings that are available on www.thingiverse.com or similar websites and you can print them. However most people want to create something unique.

There are also companies that can do your 3D printing for you.  One very successful company is Shapeways at www.shapeways.com  .  Shapeways has 3D printers for smaller personal fabrication and also have larger professional machines that can print in plastic or metal. You can even set up your own store on Shapeways to sell what you have made.  They will accept orders for you, produce your printed product, ship it and collect the payment for you.  The Shapeways byline is "Make, Buy and Sell Custom Products with 3D Printing. One store example hosted by Shapeways is www.bathsheba.com  .

Another alternative is to go to a store like the 3D Printer Experience in Chicago at www.the3dprinterexperience.com or a shop like TechShop (a expanding nationwide chain) that sells education classes and charges you to use (or have them use) one of their 3D printers or other machines. To find these places go to the Maker Map at www.themakermap.com , check off the filter box for retail, museums, etc. and zoom in on the red location dot. As you zoom in the name and address, etc. will appear on a pop up.

Then click on what you want to find like Retail and then zoom in on the red dot in the location you prefer and the name, address, etc. will pop up.

Getting the best possible prototype or model

Large corporations often have their own industrial design department and model shop. They can study how users might use a new product and create prototypes to test the idea with potential users. Alternatively they may hire an independent industrial design firm like IDEO which also has a model shop. If you have a large budget then hiring an industrial design firm might be a good option for you.

However the top down process of creating a new product is now competing with the bottoms up process since individuals and smaller companies or institutions now have computers and tools such as person fabricators as well as funding mechanisms like Kickstarter available to help them to create new products at an affordable price.

Hiring a professional model shop to work with you on your prototypes and models should add a new dimension to the discussions and increase the odds of creating a successful product. Working with a professional model shop is often a affordable option. Their expertise will greatly improve the final product. Which is the best way to make your product better, faster, stronger and at a lower cost? 3D printing may or may not be the right answer for how to make your prototype or model.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping industrial designers, manufacturers and individuals  go from idea to reality. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: industrial scale models, product model, prototype, industrial designer, model builders, model maker, prototypes, model makers, prototype models, industrial design, product development, product models, model builder, industrial scale model, industrial designers, 3D printing, prototype model, 3D printers

Model Builders Inc. founder is a 2013 inductee in AMA Hall of Fame

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Thu, Feb 20, 2014 @ 09:20 PM

Model maker William H. Chaffee (Bill), the founder of Model Builders, Inc, was inducted in 2013 into the Academy of Model Aeronautics Hall of Fame located in Muncie, IN. To see his Hall of Fame biography go to:  https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/ChaffeeWilliamHenry.pdf .

Many of the model airplane builder noteables that Bill competed against in the late 1920's and early 1930's are in this Hall of Fame. By 1929 there were over 300,000 members in the Airplane Model League of America (A.M.L.A.) which ran the National contests. "Beginning to Fly" The Book of Model Airplanes by Merrill Hamburg the Secretary and technical advisor to the A.M.L.A. is probably the best book on this era of model plane building. An interesting side note is that MIT student Robert Clary in 1932 invented microfilm to replace the heavier Japanese imperial tissue paper on the wings. Microfilm cut the model plane weight by about 20 percent.

Model plane - William Chaffee

William Chaffee held the National Indoor record for rubber band powered flight at 173 seconds  in 1927 when he was 15 years old. Page 72 in "Beginning to Fly" is shown above.

1928 April 2 William  Chaffee White House

AMLA's four contest winners were flown to Washington, DC and on April 2, 1928 and they flew their model planes on the south lawn of the White House for President Calvin Coolidge . William Chaffee is on the far left and President Coolidge is third from the left. The Detroit Free Press reported that "The boys left two of the model planes dangling from the tall poplar trees adjacent to the executive offices, and two landed on the roof of the offices."

William Chaffee White House 1929

William and other national model contest winners flew their planes for President Herbert Hoover on the south lawn of the White House on April 4, 1929. Merrill Hamburg Secretary of and technial advisor to the A.M.L.A. is on the far left. William Chaffee is pictured in the middle and Aram Abgarian on the right. 

William Chaffee Boeing P-12B model airplane1930

William Chaffee's Boeing P-12B won 1st prize in 1930 for scale model planes in The American Boy magazine contest.

Boeing P-12B model William Chaffee 1930

William Chaffee's BOEING TYPE P-12B U.S. Army Pursuit plane scale model

William spent over 500 hours constructing the model and even machined his own propeller out of aluminum. All of the flaps move accurately when the levers are pulled or pushed in the cockpit. All entrants in the contest used exactly the same set of to scale drawings with a model wingspan of the upper wing at exactly 24". First prize in this contest was a 6 week trip to England and France plus a silver cup and $200.00.

While in England he competed in the Wakefield International Cup fuselage model plane contest and won 6th place. The planes were all rubber band powered fuselage models.

Chaffee C-4 fuselage model airplane

Chaffee C-4 Indoor Fuselage rubber band powered model

In 1930 William designed the Chaffee C-4 Indoor Fuselage Model (see pp. 164-172 in "Beginning to Fly"). The AMLA was interested in moving American model airplane builders from "flying sticks" to fuselage models to advance their skills and add a new contest category. The AMLA sold the Chaffee C-4 as a kit from their supply division and it became a favorite of model builders. The rubber band powered C-4 flies for about 3 minutes. 

1933 SPEE-D-FLYR glider

 1933 SPEE-D-FLYR

In 1933 at the age of 21 William designed the balsa wood SPEE-D-FLYR Soaring Glider No. 333 and sold 24,000 of them to S.S. Kresge. Chaffee buillt the gliders in conjunction with pattern maker Emory Zimmerman.

Kettering Collection WPAFB resized 600

Kettering Collection of 600 scale model planes at theNational Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, OH

In the early 1930's Eugene W. Kettering started his collection of about 600 scale model aircraft at 4mm (5/32" to the foot) scale  representing military and civilian aircraft of many nations. This collection since the late 1960's has been on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Gene had his good friend William Chaffee make or supervise the construction of the planes in this collection.

From 1932 on William Chaffee stayed in the fields he loved best - model building, prototyping and inventing.  In 1950 he founded Model Builders, Inc. and in 1960 a subsidiary Technical Exhibits Corp.

Model Builders, Inc. did prototype work for Raymond Loewy Associates, Richard Latham, Dave Chapman and other well known industrial designers. Other work was for large corporations, institutions and individuals. One project was to build the underseas section of the GM exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Several projects were for NASA and for aviation companies. There were 1,000's of projects. Bill also has eight patents and two design patents. Six of the patents are the basis of products that were produced and sold. William continued to work until the end of his life in 1994

Model Builders, Inc. and Technical Exhibits Corp. continue to work on the design and fabrication of a wide variety of models and prototypes.  A recent project was to build a full scale replica of the exterior of the Apollo 8 Command Module for a traveling museum exhibit.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping industrial designers, manufacturers, institutions and individuals go from idea to reality. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: aviation models, model planes, model builders, model maker, model makers, model builder, airplane models

6 reasons to use a white architectural model

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Sun, Dec 29, 2013 @ 06:27 PM

 White architectural models are favored by architects for a variety of reasons. 

1) An architectural competition often requires submission of a white model. This type of model is very different than a presentation model. A competition model is more of a conceptual abstraction and often built with a restricted budget in one or two weeks. The appearance is more lean and mean with less detail. White models if done well enable the judges and the public to clearly visualize the design in three dimensions especially in form and composition. The idea is to express the essence of the architect's intentions to the judges so they can pick the architect.    

2) The architect wants to show a model layout as a pure form. It may be easier to visualize the placement of structures and their context within a site. It is especially useful before final decisions are made on the colors and finishes of external materials. You can even use sunlight to show how shadows are cast across the site. Master plans are often depicted in white.

Hospital complex white model resized 600

 This hospital complex model is 30" X 45" X 6.5" high in 1/32" = 1'-0" scale

One color in addition to white is sometimes used in contrast to effectively highlight a specific feature of a model.  For a resort model the architect may want to emphasize the water areas by making them blue.

3) It is usually quicker and less expensive to make a model using white mat board or foamcore like materials.  When buying a unit in the complex shown below the buyer can more easily visualize where the unit they are interested in is located within the complex and a more detailed model may not be necessary. Also the exterior colors and other details can be shown less expensively in adjacent renderings than in the model. The model was used to get approval from the city and help with the sales effort.

Residential buildings resized 600

Residental buildings

4) White models are often preferred to use early in the design process. The architect may just want to test the scale and see how it looks or do multiple models to further develop a design or compare variations of the design.  Architects like John Ronan use a series of models starting with a simple massing model of the exterior to review with the client and gradually develop the final detailed design and materials of a building. Colors and specific materials are often chosen in the middle of the design process and not at the beginning. See http://www.artic.edu/exhibition/iterations-john-ronan-s-poetry-foundation .

For some projects we made quick study models for an architect that are simply black and white printouts of elevation and plan views bonded to a three dimensional model shape made with white mat board, foamcore or plastic. The architect might use those models to show two different designs of an attached garage for example. Clients usually can visualize the difference better if shown the alternatives in three dimensions and make a quicker decision.

5) To develop skills and experience in making architectural models.  For young adults, even some college students and new architects there is even a new Lego Architecture Studio product, a 1,200+ piece set of monochrome white bricks. The kit is a useful to create "natural lines and shadows that can more accurately represent architectural shapes and form." The kit comes with a 268 page book with real case studies from six different professional firms - REX architecture, Sou Fujimoto, SOM (Skimore, Owings and Merrill), MAD architects  Tham & Videgard and Safdie Architects. These firms show how to explore some of the the theories and concepts of symmetry, mass, density, use of negative space, repetition and more.

6) Sometimes the final structure is white. Also this complex building would be much more difficult to imagine in drawings than it is as a model where you can walk around it and see how different it looks from every angle.

Malmo Turing Torso Tower - Calatrava

The Turning Torso tower in Malmo Sweden. Architect: Santiago Calatrava.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for working closely with architects to interpret their design intentions as clearly as possible into a three dimensional model . Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

 

Tags: architectural model, architectural models, model builders, model maker, model makers, model builder, topographic model, architectural model builder, topographic models

Raymond Loewy's 1953 prototype ashtray

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Tue, Oct 15, 2013 @ 11:27 PM

The prototype stainless steel ashtray for the 1954 Greyhound Scenicruiser bus was one of nearly 100  prototypes, models or parts Raymond Loewy Associates hired Model Builders, Inc. to fabricate in the 1950's. Raymond Loewy Associates was responsible for the design and prototype of the Scenicruiser bus.  The Scenicruiser is listed in several prominent design books as one of the 100 best designs of the 20th Century.

We thought you might enjoy learning about this unique modern ashtray design. The prototype  is up for auction for the first time on Thursday October 17, 2013 at www.wright20.com as lot 175. See http://www.wright20.com/auctions/view/QU2E/QU2F/175/lotno_asc/none/Q8WB/ .

Raymond Loewy ashtray

The ashtray is 4 1/2" wide X 4 1/2" high X 1 1/4" thick.

Loewy ashtray sketchAbove are some sketches of the ashtray made prior to the fabrication of the prototype.

Raymond Loewy ashtray side view

This sideview shows the ashtray in the open position. The pivot point for the front section of the ashtray is at the pin head shape at the bottom. The curve at the top is to keep ashes from falling onto the back of seat it is mounted on.

Raymond Loewy ashtray lever pulled

Just rotate the lever downward to dump the ashes or cigarette into the chamber below.

Raymond Loewy ashtray opened

The front/two sides of the ashtray is a pressure fit with two dimples (one on each side near the top) locking it in the closed position. Simply slide the ashtray up off the mounting plate and open up the front/sides by pulling outward the top of the two sides The masking tape on the edge was added to tighten the fit on this prototype. In production the fit would be more precise due to more accurate tooling so there would be no need for the tape.

Raymond Loewy ashtray mounting plate

The fixed mounting plate allows the back side of the ashtray (as seen on the right) to slide down and up easily so the ashtray can be opened, dumped and cleaned  frequently.

Raymond Loewy ashtray Patent Applied For

The patent was applied for but as far as we know was never granted. Note the hinge along the bottom of the ashtray. The "dimples" on the front are a nice design touch.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping industrial designers, manufacturers and others go from idea to reality. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: Scenicruiser, product model, prototype, industrial designer, model builders, model maker, prototypes, model makers, Raymond Loewy, prototype models, industrial design, product models, model builder, industrial designers, prototype model

7 things a model maker learned at the 2013 IDSA Conference

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Fri, Sep 06, 2013 @ 01:06 PM

The 2013 Industrial Designer Society of America (IDSA) International Conference was in Chicago during August and there was a lot to learn - here are 7 takeaways. 

(1) Persistence can be an inventor's friend, greatly improving the end product along the way. Dean Kamen described his 10-plus years trying to get his Slingshot water purifier to people around the world who don't have safe water. The hope is to eliminate millions of deaths from water borne diseases.

One major obstacle was worldwide distribution, which Kamen recently solved working with Coke whose international distribution system is one of the best in the world.

Another major obstacle was the economics of Kamen's water purifier and power source. His recent thinking is a 8' X 8' X 20' box could ship more services along with the Slingshot to improve the cost benefit ratio. So the plan now is that one shipment includes an energy source, the Slingshot water purifier, a satellite based communications system and refrigeration for medicines. This would be available to a whole village in a remote location. Looks to me like Dean Kamen may solve more than one major world problem as a by-product of trying to solve one. The implementation of this idea could improve health, education, and communication for billions of people.

(2) Expect a proliferation of entrepreneurship.   Prototypes are easier to make with 3D printing, money for product development and production is easier to raise, and products are easier to sell due to the internet and 3d printing. Here is one example that was on display.

Non spillable coffee cup

A young girl, Lilly Born, developed the Kangaroo Cup with the help of her father so that her grandfather who had Parkinson's disease wouldn't knock over his coffee or soup cup.  Prototype 1 was a rough handmade prototype. Prototype 2 was a 3D printed prototype (shown on the left in the above picture).  Then Lilly and her father both went to a ceramic factory in China to get a quote on the final Kangaroo Cup that they are now selling (the cup on the right in the picture). On Thursday Zach Kaplan of Inventables included a video on this project (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzNz25Kc5FQ ) in his presentation titled "Designers as Manufacturers: The Third Industrial Revolution."

(3) Expect to see more artistic-entrepreneurial products, too - ones that you often have a hard time getting funded - especially those that need anywhere from only a few thousand dollars up to 1 million or more. MINIMAL (MNML) and Kickstarter are enabling entrepreuneurs to develop and market their new product ideas as well as fund them.

Book pages light

This product is a book with pages that light up when the book is opened. The book can be laid flat on a table for the maximum amount of light or set down with the lit pages vertical and the book cover open or closed to permit the amount of light desired. Actually this is light that works like a book.

For a more complete look at the many Kickstarter projects displayed at the August 22nd exhibit at MNML in Chicago during the IDSA Conference see this page  http://www.mnml.com/21277/1756315/our-work/kickstarter-all-stars-presented-by-mnml .

(4) The "unconference" concept was a full day at the conference because IDSA members are excited about connecting with each other on topics  that they are passionate about.  This is the first time the IDSA tried this idea at their International Conference. On Friday  groups of 20-40 people had discussions during a 45 minute session on one topic that they signed up for. Anyone could propose a topic in advance and if interested could lead that discussion. Eight sessions ran concurrently in the 45 minute periods for most of Friday and  participants could wander from one session to another to discover something of interest. No projectors.  Just topical discussions - basically whatever you want. Some examples are "How is the 'Maker Revolution' going to affect ID?", "Origami and how it helps design" and "Creating an ID culture within an alien corporate climate".

(5) An "unconference" option on Friday was a three hour session called "Blitz" to brainstorm tangible ideas that can have a meaningful social impact. Social activist John Bieldenberg hosted this "Blitz" to help designers create concepts for new products and services that help to prevent bullying.  As a result suicides, especially of children under 14, and school-shooting incidents can be reduced. The session partnered with the Hero in the Hallway organization that has helped Chicago schools with their "Spirit Desk" system reduce suicides and prevent bullying.

(6) The 3D printed car contest was launched and crashed. It was a big hit. As in the real world industrial designers had a chance to test their concepts against tough competition and in this case have fun too. Furthermore the entrants had to use 3D printed models. The three prize categories were for best flight, best crash (there was a slow motion camera directed at the crash site) and best looks. The winner in each category was awarded a 3D printer. Inventables, Models Plus and Options and Computer Aided Technology sponsored the printed car contest.

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Above is one of the top ten car contest entries (out of over 100 entries) called "Balloona" designed by Ms. Reut Kovetz of Fahrenheit Design. Below is a picture after the ramp launch of the crash. The clear connectors are barely visible and so thin they break easily on impact and send the balls rolling in multiple directions.

The wheels and the optional ball bearing were installed at the conference. The entries were 3D printed at the conference on one of two 3D printers. Pictures reprinted with the permission of Fahrenheit Design in Austin, Texas. 

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Intrigued? Check out these videos:

Here's a link to the blog post:
Video of the race:
Here are all the cars (10 were selected for the launch):

Coincidently one of the conference speakers, industrial designer Byron Block, on Thursday revealed the biggest safety blunders in vehicle design. Byron has fought for and influenced the adoption of safer designs that are feasible - in rollovers with weak roofs, truck underside decapitation tragedies and unsafe fuel tanks that led to fire deaths.

(7) The conference was an incredible chance to meet designers of all stripes and be exposed to all sorts of new ideas and products. Below is one example - the SPUN swivel chair that won't fall over as seen at the Steng Design Party at Orangeskin on Friday night. The SPUN chair just keeps rotating around whenever you move.

Justin Eddings in the SPUN chair

Here Justin Eddings, an Interaction & Industrial Designer as well as the Product User Experience Designer at Sprint, travels in circles at Orangeskin. There were six networking events just on Thursday night and four more on Friday including a boat tour sponsored by Designcraft! 

If you wanted to find out where the world of industrial design is headed the 2013 IDSA International Conference was the place to learn from companies like Inventables, MNML, Kickstarter, etc. Like the personal computer before it the personal fabricator is taking industrial design, prototyping and production into an extremely fast growing part of the economy. Now individuals can actually find the funding and tools to prototype and produce new products and services that are custom made to the client or produced in small quantities economically. 

If you wanted to see examples of people who are making a huge difference in solving social problems Dean Kamen's presentation on providing clean water and more around the world got a standing ovation.  At John Bielenberg's hosting of the unconference "Blitz" brainstorming you could participate in trying to come up with concepts for new products and services that might turn schools around and even reduce suicides and shootings. Industrial designers are continuing to expand their work into solving big social problems.  

So why does a model maker go to an industrial design conference? We are two sides of the same coin and success depends on close collaboration. Many good ideas die in the development stage because implementation requires special skills and tools. Converting an idea to reality is often difficult - the skills and tools of both the industrial designer and the model maker are often crucial to the creation of a successful product. It is important to the success of the model maker and the industrial designer to learn from each other.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping others go from idea to reality. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

 

 

 

 

Tags: product model, engineering model, prototype, industrial designer, model builders, model maker, prototypes, model makers, prototype models, industrial design, product development, product models, model builder, industrial designers, prototype model

Props and models help to attract potential clients to your booth

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Thu, Jun 27, 2013 @ 09:29 PM

Props and models can be a great way to attract visitors at a tradeshow. However they should be related closely to a company's marketing and sales message.  You want to attact people who are interested in your product and help others who are not viable prospects realize that this product doesn't relate to them.

Here are four examples where props and models have attracted potential clients.

1) The first example is where the product is the center piece of the exhibit and also a beacon that is visible from a distance.

Far better than just a sign the model is of the product being sold. If you are interested in cell towers then you are not likely to miss stopping by this booth and learning more.

This cell phone antenna model is used at  tradeshows to attact potential clients to the booth. A red light on the top also helps to get attention. The height of this model makes it noticable on the tradeshow floor from quite a distance away. 

Cell phone antenna model

 

Cell phone antenna and base

Cell phone antenna and base model 20 feet tall

2) The second example is a custom three dimensional model sign that attacts attention with movement and light as well as relating well to the product.

Below is one of two rotating signs for the Global Sleep Solutions tradeshow booth. There is also below this sign in the booth at eye level a similar but larger sign (one sided) with three Z s in a row on one rod that slowly rock up and down which effectively reminds you of sleep.

Two of the most effective ways to attact attention are to use movement and/or light. This rotating sign uses both movement and light. Furthermore the lettering is large enough and words short enough to be easily read from a distance. The crescent moon and large Z letters let you know in a glance that this booth is about nightime sleep solutions. The sign rotates at a sleepy 2 rpm.

Global Sleep Solutions rotating sign

Global Sleep Solutions - rotating sign 30" diameter

3) The third example is a larger than life product model and it also uses light to draw in visitors. This toothbrush gets instant attention at tradeshows because it is several times larger than life, it looks realistic and the lighted fiberoptic bristles draw the viewer in for a closer look.

toothbrush - fiber optic

7' high toothbrush model with fiber optic bristles 

4) Food tends to be a product category that gets a lot of interest. One tradeshow exhibitor who sells signs related to food decided to have a custom 6 foot long "Chicago" hotdog made so he could use it as the centerpiece in his booth to attract attention to his food signs.

Hot Dog prop in exhibit resized 600

 6' hot dog custom prop

You don't have very long to get the attention of potential clients at a tradeshow as they walk down the show aisle. Maybe you need to try something more dramatic and attention getting. If you have any questions or would like to discuss props, models or other projects contact us at Model Builders, Inc. 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

 

 

Tags: industrial scale models, exhibit, model builders, model maker, model makers, model builder, industrial scale model, tradeshow product models, trade show product models, props

Why sales kits with cutaway products increase sales.

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Thu, Jun 06, 2013 @ 02:17 PM

When you are selling an industrial product like a battery, electric winch, pump or valve that has superior features and materials inside the most important tool your salesforce can have is often a product that is cutaway to show those advantages and exactly how it works. The product  should be small and light enough for a salesperson to carry in a carrying case.

Battery cutaway

 Forklift cutaway with sales case

Forklift battery cutaway with sales case

This battery cutaway uses mostly real parts but was made much lighter by using a foam block behind the first set of positive and negative grids. The paste in the real grids is toxic so colored bondo in orange or gray was used and a matte finish created to resemble the real paste. The grid is real but the connector at the top of the grid is plastic to help reduce the weight of this battery cutaway.

Seeing the product with a cutaway showing its advantages means believing them. The black top, white housing, grid and battery strap are all real parts. Part of the battery strap on the top is cutaway so you can see the copper inside. The black label on the side lists three benefits and three technologies that help to reinforce the sales message.

This battery sales kit was so effective in generating sales that the company ordered additional cutaways of some of their other battery lines for their sales people.

Battery Cell Cutaway resized 600

 Battery cell prototype cutaway with sales case

This lithium battery cell fits into a small sales case.  The wood stand is easily removed and the battery cell slips down vertically into the stand. Weight, watt hours and other sales information is silk screened on the front of the battery. With the cutaway view the story of how it works can explained by showing the various sections inside.

Superwinch Cutaway resized 600

 Superwinch cutaway sales kit

Here a potential customer can see how this winch works from the inside out as well as see the quality of the materials, mechanisms and construction. If  a potential customer can't see that inside difference of the SUPERWICH first hand they may be more likely to buy a competitors product that is less expensive. Sales kits with a cutaway product  are often the closer that makes the sale.

Aircraft oil pump with clear housing

aircraft oil pump with sales case

Aircraft oil pump model with sales case

This full size jet aircraft oil pump model with a clear housing and translucent parts (metal parts in the real pump) shows clean or dirty oil and a separator part (each in one of three different colors). The aluminum base is 12" wide X 16" long. The rugged ATA style carrying case can also be used for domestic or international shipping.

A sales kit with a cutaway product (or model of the product) will help to show how your product works, the superior materials it is made of and other internal sales features. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773.586.6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

 

Tags: sales kit, sales kits, product cutaway, product model, training aids, model builders, model maker, model makers, training aid, product models, model builder, product cutaways