Here we look in more detail at the materials and techniques used to produce our work. Resins and composite materials have become the most versatile medium in Art and Design, as well as being used widely in other industries.

Mould Making:
All our moulds are made in house, and their design is individually tailored to suit the type of work, and the customer's requirements. We use a number of different silicone rubbers, both addition and condensation cure. We can advise which type of silicone is most suited to the application, along with information on expected mould life and any other queries the customer may have.

We are also able to build quality GRP or composite moulds. These moulds are more suited to smooth, geometric shapes.

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Resin Casting:
Our castings are made with filled polyester resin. Various types of filler powders are used depending on the finish required (see finishes). These are mixed with the resin in accurate proportions. This mixture is then poured into the mould under vacuum. This process removes the air trapped inside the mould and mixture to produce perfect castings.

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Clear Resin Casting:

We have done exhaustive research into using clear resins and, as anyone with similar experience will tell you, it is something of a dark art!!

We have mastered several techniques for using clear resins successfully and have drawn on this knowledge extensively for our new range of products (see Tiles). Depending on the application we use either clear polyester, polyurethane or epoxy resin.

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Composites:
Cast resin has limited strength. Therefore larger and more delicately shaped objects need to be reinforced. This can normally be achieved using chopped strand glass with polyester resin (GRP).

We are also able to produce more high-tech composites. Using epoxy resin and woven fabrics including glass fibre, carbon fibre and Kevlar. These types of composites can be engineered to very specific parameters of weight and strength, as necessary. This technology has been developed in the world of racing yachts and Formula One. These are very much design-orientated sports, and a little of this designer feel has helped to increase the appeal of such materials in other areas.

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Foam carving and skinning:
This technique is ideal for achieving large, structurally strong shapes, relatively quickly. The shape is carved in polystyrene foam, and then "skinned" using epoxy resin and woven glass fabric. Most finishes (see Finishing Techniques) can then be applied. Shapes made in this way are suitable either as a one-off saleable piece, or may be used as a master for moulding.

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