Model Builders Inc Blog

How a scale model helps envision and sell a gas processing plant.

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Mon, Mar 23, 2015 @ 11:41 AM

UOP had an investor meeting coming up and wanted to make a great impression showing the advantages of their prefabricated gas processing plant. UOP is the only manufacturer that makes a prefab one and it consists primarily of seven skids that can be trucked to the site. They also wanted to use this model for sales presentations and tradeshows. 

The UOP advantages are that the prefab gas processing plant can be made much more cost effectively in advance in a factory and there is little final assembly once the seven skids are shipped to the client's site. Furthermore quality control in the factory is much easier to manage than in the field.  UOP's competitors build  gas processing plants on site which takes far longer and their construction time is much more exposed to weather delays. 

UOP Gasification Plant Model

UOP prefabricated gas processing plant 1:48 scale model 25" long X 25" wide.

To have a real impact with investors and potential clients UOP wanted them to easily envision the prefabrication concept and how it went together. If they could pick up each of the seven skids to assemble or disassemble them by hand that would be very engaging and memorable. Furthermore clients would be able to see the key components in each skid. This is an effective way to relate to what each skid does and where it goes.

The model makes for quicker and easier comprehension of the entire plant than walking through the real one. Furthermore  the real prefabricated gas processing plant is too big to take to a tradeshow (or potential client) and most potential clients are not located near one of the installed prefabricated gas processing plants.

What were the keys to getting this model fabricated to meet UOP's short deadline and to be as effective as possible in generating sales? 

(1) Choose the right model maker.

Hire a professional model making firm with experience - in this case one that makes process models for heavy industry like oil, gas and nuclear models. This firm would know where to get the special materials necessary and have the expertise to help design and fabricate the model in about four weeks. For this model UOP hired Model Builders, Inc. in Chicago.

(2) Provide the information the model maker needs to build from right away.

UOP drawings were needed to build from and they were needed fast. Model Builders, Inc. suggested that only pdfs of some of the drawings were needed.  It would have taken more time and expense if the model maker had to get familar with the UOP CAD drawings since it takes a while (often several days) to get familiar with the many CAD assemblies and parts drawings.

The UOP Director of Corporate Communications recognized that the model maker needed the pdfs right away and put the key UOP engineer in Oklahoma in touch with the model maker. That same day the engineer was able to send out all the needed dimensioned drawings as pdfs.

(3) Choose the scale.

 The 1:48 scale was the right one for an engaging hands on demonstration and for transport in a personal vehicle if necessary. Furthermore a scaled flatbed truck was put on the model to help the viewer get a clearer idea of how big the skids were by comparison.

(4) Determine the level of detail.

One of the things about models is that viewers are often attracted to them when they are highly detailed. The details draw them in. With this model even the UOP designer was impressed with the detail accuracy. This is particularly helpful to the sales effort when UOP can discuss with potential buyers what each skid does and the component parts that do that.

Gas processing plant model

(5) Engage the viewer in creative ways.

UOP had Model Builders, Inc. make the seven skids as loose units that can be assembled and disassembled by hand on a simple base with a plan view of the site on top. That meant each model skid could be picked up by hand and assembled or disassembled in the appropriate location on a scaled drawing. The drawing was bonded to the top of the 1" thick 25" X 25" base board.

Prefab Gasification Plant model

The stairway next to the right hand and the crosswalk next to the left finger are each connected with magnets for quick and easy assembly.

 

(6) Use durable materials.

ABS plastic is a very durable material and is the primary material used in this model. Futhermore the bonding liquid chemically welds the parts together.

In contrast acrylic is brittle and sometimes cracks or breaks. Vibrations during shipping and handling, below-zero temperatures and other adverse conditions could cause breakage or the acrylic glue joints could come apart.

(7) Make the model easy to pack and unpack.

The cutouts in the thick foam make packing and protecting the parts from damage simple.

Plant 

UOP gas processing plant model case.
The flat base with plan view is below the parts seen here. The truck is in the silver box.

How effective was the model at the investor's meeting? It was so effective UOP decided to order a second one to keep at the home office for potential customer presentations.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for helping manufacturers, industrial designers, 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: industrial scale models, site model, plant layout model, architectural model, model, product model, engineering model, product models, industrial scale model, tradeshow product models, trade show product models, process model, plant layout models, scale 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

Construction equipment product models increase sales and cut costs

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Wed, May 15, 2013 @ 10:33 AM

There is nothing like demonstrating a real product at a tradeshow or event.  However if you are selling a large piece of construction equipment it may be too large or too expensive to do that. Consequently some construction equipment companies are using a custom model that will fit into an exhibit booth or is easily moved to a customer's office for a sales presentation.

Dragline model

Dragline model

Showing a construction equipment model at a work site such as on a railroad track can help the potential customer better relate to how the equipment is used.

Tamper

 Tamper ballast tamping machine model

Features of the equipment can be depicted. This 1:16 scale mining truck shows that the electrical equipment is concentrated in one place in a three door cabinet on the deck next to the driver's cab so that it is easy to access and fix. Using a control on the side of the model base the sales person can turn the front wheels to show that this truck behind the wheels has the most accessible engine for maintenance (there is a scale engine between the front wheels). Also the dump bed can also be raised and lowered (by turning a key) to attract attention at the tradeshow.

 

Mining truck model

         Haulpak 830E mining truck 1:16 scale model

In 1956 a 1/4 scale model of the Hough Payloader attracted crowds at tradeshows because it duplicaticated the hydraulic actions of the real front-end loader by using miniature cylinders and a new reversible pump unit. Automatic or manual operation was selected by the 4-pole transfer switch. In automatic operation limit switches control direction of current flow through armature and direction of motor control. In manual operation current flow was controlled by momentary pushbutton switches. This model was written up on two pages of the December 1956 edition of Applied Hydraulics magazine.

Hough Payloader

Hough Payloader 1/4 scale working hydraulic model

Use product models like those described above to help the product sell itself and grab the attention of potential customers at a trade show or on a sales call. Give yourself a competitive edge with a product model that tells your product’s story with impact and often without the use of words.

A construction equipment product model enables you to show your product in more places and at less cost than if you took the real product. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773.586.6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

 

 

Tags: construction equipment models, industrial scale models, railroad equipment model, product model, engineering model, model builders, model maker, model makers, product models, model builder, industrial scale model, tradeshow product models, trade show product models

3 advantages of a product model versus the real product in an exhibit

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Tue, May 29, 2012 @ 08:35 PM

One of the easiest things to use to attact visitors to your exhibit booth is your product  because that is what you are selling. However you may be overlooking the advantages of using a product model instead.  Here are three examples of exhibits where there was a very significant advantage to using a product model versus the real product.

(1) The first advantage is a savings in weight and therefore cost. Below is a photograph of a replica model of a track welding machine which is 12' X 4' X 3'.  The cost to ship the real machine which weighs close to 15,000 lbs. is quite high. Then the expense to move a real track welding machine into the exhibit booth and set it up is also high. However a replica model made out of ABS plastic instead of steel like the real product weighed less than 1,000 lbs. The shipping cost savings for the first tradeshow alone can pay for the model.

product model

(2) The second advantage of a product model versus the real product is you can make a large real product as a much smaller product model which enables you to ship the product model to more tradeshows for the same cost as one tradeshow. Furthermore for really large products like some mining trucks the real product is too big to even fit in an exhibit hall.  Shown below at 1:16 scale is a mining truck model which is about 33" long which has been shipped to tradeshows around the world.

product model

 (3) The third advantage of a product model is that an expensive product such as medical equipment with expensive components can be replaced by a product model greatly reducing the cost of shipping insurance. The model cost about 1/15 the cost of the real  lithotriper.The lithotripter model shown below also was made at 1:3 scale to make it small enough for the sales force to drive it to their clients locations in addition to the use of the model at tradeshows. The mechanical arm moved exactly like the real lithotripter. 

product model

The benefits of product models are real. If you would like information on having a product model fabricated contact us at Model Builders, Inc. 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: construction equipment models, industrial scale models, railroad equipment model, product model, product models, industrial scale model, tradeshow product models