Model Making should not be overlooked as an important method of prototyping. Although SLAs and CNC machined parts can be painted and sprayed, the finish achieved in a well-created model is often a superior one.

Our model maker, Peter Manning, has over 30 years' experience in producing realistic hand-made prototypes. Traditional model making utilises a variety of materials, paints, polishes and parts to create samples that are hard to differentiate from the final product.

When modelling Polar Creative's indoor aerial range, Peter utilised a small green glass disk to imitate a lit LED, piano-gloss finish paint to give a lustrous finish, letter transfers to mimic pad printing and even coaxial plugs, which were integrated into models so that they could be plugged in like the real thing.