In our latest blog we will be exploring the remarkable world of 3D printing, and the far-reaching consequences it has on countless industries; from medicine to fashion to aerospace engineering, and even to your own desk!
Early 3D printing began in the 1980's, but over the last few years we have seen unprecedented advancements in printing technology. We can now print, not only in plastics, but in metals, ceramics, bio materials, food, and more!
Print solutions provide a helping hand...
Click here for some examples of the incredible range of things that we are able to print in our day and age. From bikinis, to soil, to selfies, to scans of unborn babies, this list has us wondering what printable prize will be next! One of our favourites is the use of 3D printing to create low cost prosthetic limbs for amputees, such as 16 year old bomb victim Daniel Omar. As 3D printing provides a cheap and quick alternative to traditional prosthetics, we are hopeful it can break down the cost barrier that prevents so many from receiving prosthetic limbs.
Daniel
Omar, 16 year old bomb victim from Sudan, with his 3D printed prosthetic arm
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order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place
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and secure the information we collect online.
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A properly laid fibreglass roof (also known as GRP Roofing), will last for at least 30 years with no measurable deterioration. The roof must be laid onto a dry deck, in dry conditions, at a temperature not below 5°C. The resins and top coats should be suitable for use in GRP Roofing - the label on your resin should give you this information. Typically two people can strip, re-deck, laminate and top coat a roof of about 20 square metres in one day. Always try to plan starting the roof when a settled period of weather is forecast.
Please note: This guide relates only to the application of the GRP laminate and top coat.
Decking
The decking boards should be Sterling OSB3 tongue & groove. They should be fixed to the roof structure using ring shank nails or screws with a minimum penetration of 25mm, which should be used at 300mm centres down the length of each joist covered by the boards. When laying tongue and groove boards, ensure the gap between the boards is facing up, so it can be reinforced by the resin that runs into it when the laminate is laid. All the boards must have their joints staggered to increase the strength of the roof (see below).
Now you will need to form the edge detail with various preformed edge Trims.
This month we have extreme up-cycling that makes you think about the war; an ultra luxury champagne glass that makes you think there is more money than sense; and deadly clear castings that make you ask, where's that been?
Up-Cycling V2.0
Tick...tick...tick...tick..tick..
The V2 rocket built by the Germans as the "vengance weapon" and the first long range ballistic missile. If you happen to have one maybe half buried in the garden, dig it up now, cut a hole in the side (just be really, really careful) and voila! A lovely armchair for your childs bedroom. This month we are jumping on that Nazi themed bedroom furniture bandwagon to bring you "Rocky Rocket" just the thing to light up the eyes of any youngster with ideas of world domination.
Excitement builds as the first Rocky Rocket armchair is installed just outside of Berlin
This product is absolutely ideal for filling cavities and for increasing buoyancy! It's strong, rigid, and incredibly simple to use. In this post, we'll tell you a bit more about PU Expanding Foam and also share a video we made a few weeks ago.
Producing the foam
Use two plastic cups to measure out an equal volume of each part, then pour both components into a clean mixing container. Ensure you stir thoroughly, but work quickly - the mixture will begin to thicken in just 25-35 seconds, reaching its maximum rise in about 150 seconds.
The uncured mix is highly adhesive and will bond to most materials. While the mixture is foaming, take care not to inhale the fumes.
Immediately after mixing, the liquid foam is poured into the cavity to be filled, then left to foam and cure. It will reach a sticky condition in about 4 minutes, and will be completely cured in about half an hour.
If you are filling a deep cavity, it's a good idea to pour in a series of layers (around 25mm each), leaving the foam to cure between pours. This is because the exotherm (internal heat) generated during the curing process increases with greater volumes of foam, and this can cause problems.
Each liquid kilo of polyurethane yields approximately 0.08m2 (1 cu.ft.) of rigid foam.
Calculations
PU foam is supplied in several pack sizes and it is necessary to calculate the volume of the foam required so as the correct pack size can be selected to minimise wastage.
This can be done by measuring the cavity and simply multiplying length by width by height (in metres) and dividing by 0.0283.
This calculation will give the total amount of foam required in kg.
Example:A buoyancy tank measuring, 0.5m (length) x 0.5m (width) x 0.5m (height) = 0.13m3.
Divide this figure by 0.0283 = 4.59
Therefore the total liquid foam required is 4.59kg (1 x 5kg pack)
We spoke to Ben Smith, Owner of BenofkentProps, about his brilliant business, and which of our products he uses to get his fantastic results.
Tell us briefly about what the company does?
BenofkentProps builds from scratch and recreates props from TV and films, as well as doing custom props for music mideos and independent films.
How did you find yourself making these
products?
I had a keen interest in building since I was a
child, watching my father build. I then attended a theatre college at sixteen and
learned to prop build.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for alternative items, equivalent monetary value or vouchers.
Prizes will be sent via courier, upon receipt of winner's delivery address.
No purchase necessary.
We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
Our Facebook promotions are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
Given that some of our products can be pretty dangerous to use, we figured it was worth writing a post to help you understand the most safe way to work.
Don't misunderstand us: most fibreglass materials are perfectly safe to use - providing the potential hazards are recognised and reasonable precautions are adopted! Normally, you will have no problems if you follow these three basic rules:
1. DO NOT let any materials come into contact with the skin, eyes or mouth.
2. DO NOT inhale mists or vapours - always work in a well ventilated area.
3. DO NOT smoke or use naked flames in the working area.
Why? Well, have a read through the following explanations and see why you really want to follow the rules!
Our range of solvents and cleaners are some of our best-selling products - so we thought it was about time we told you a bit more about them! There are so many ways you can use our cleaners, and it's likely you don't know about some of the most handy ones that could help you out at home.
Obviously a bit big to strap to my arm and just a bit slow at 10mm a second, the 3D cocooner by Festo is "a vertically arranged tripod and robotic spinneret (the organ through which spiders, silkworms, and caterpillars produce and spin their thread), the 3D Cocooner’s fiberglass resin is hardened in mid-air via an attached UV-curing light." Obviously you should keep it in the bath when not in use.
We're incredibly proud to announce that we have been awarded Gold Trusted Merchant status by Feefo for 2016!
We currently have a 97% positive rating for our service, and a massive 99% positive rating for our products - this is a fantastic achievement and one that reflects all the hard work that our team puts in on a daily basis.
We strive to provide excellent service from the moment we answer the phone or receive your first order, right through to packing, delivery and technical advice. That's why we're so grateful when you tell us what you loved, what you weren't keen on, and how we can do better next time!
CFS has expanded over the past year or so with huge milestones like the re-design of our website and the fact that we now regularly ship overseas - meaning that feedback from our customers is more important than ever.
A huge well done to all our staff - keep up the good work!
What is Feefo?
Feefo is a ratings and reviews platform providing consumers with the most trusted feedback ratings available and providing merchants with an independent, easy to use service that generates genuine responses from real consumers.
A bit of everything from the World's Wide Webs this month. Be amazed at one mans dream of flight; look at a selection of fancy walls, and finally wonder where you will put the moulds for this massive space ship, before building a fleet of them and taking over the universe. YES? Oh... just me then.
Check Out My Chopper
Auditions for the new Airwolf were disappointing
Dreams: we all have them. Winning the lottery perhaps? Becoming a worldwide super-famous rock star with millions of fans? Or maybe, you just want to move to Mexico, dress in spandex, a mask and wrestle for small change. Well, you might never get to see me in South America so you'll have to admire the balls of this man instead. His name is Felix Kambwiri and he is my Hero of the Month (a new award).
Actually, I like this guy. Go to your shed now and build!
As you've probably guessed, our gutsy Malawian has dared to dream and, unlike many of us, his dream sits in his shed, made with his own two hands from some fibreglass (of course), some junk and a motorcycle engine.
This month is about new farmyard experiences. We bet you have never milked a fibreglass cow or chilled out in a fibreglass egg......
Man Points at Cows Neck
"Grass goes in this end"
Usually, if you were to ask Prince Charles if he is milking it you may expect to get quietly killed in your sleep, but Mark Hillman of the charity Send A Cow, can get away with it. The name of this particular fibreglass cow is Milky Way, and is 100% milkable with working udders. Phwoaarrr! Charles declined the offer of a squeeze, despite the fact he has been waiting for his gold top for quite some time. See Send a Cow for info on their work.
On Tuesday this week, Ross and myself took a trip up to Padstow Boatyard to see how they're getting on with their latest project, the PD15. And they're getting on pretty well!
Designed by Falmouth based marine design consultancy, Pelagic Design Ltd, using the striking traditional Cornish colours of black and gold, she really is going to be an impressive sardine fishing vessel.
