It is often hard to visualize a 3D object, like a plant or factory model, or a large piece of equipment or machinery, based on 2D images or computer simulations.  An industrial model tells the entire story.  Whether you are communicating and collaborating with the builder, investors, customers, or city commissioners, an industrial model accurately portrays the idea and vision. Now, with modern fabrication technologies, models are created in less time, are more affordable, more accurate, and have a higher level of detail than ever before.

Models with cutaway views, take-apart features, interactive features, moving parts and advanced lighting scenarios, allow you to create immediate engagement and a long-lasting impression.  Whether these models are used in the sales process, tradeshow exhibit, or approval processes, they can have a huge impact on closing the desired outcomes.

• A plant or factory model helps the architect, contractor and owner to envision the look of the final build-out and take advantage of the views, terrain, and other natural elements.
• 3D models can help architects and contractors communicate effectively with the owner, ensuring desired results and avoiding expensive changes once the project is under construction.
• Plant factory models can be monochrome massing/conceptual models or full-color, high-detailed models.
• Models can display the outside of the structure, or the layout and design of the interior of a structure.  The model can have a removable roof or a cross section of the building showing the flow and points of view within the building features.
• Scaled-down models can make it much easier to display your product, avoiding expensive setup challenges and transportation issues to and from trade shows.
• Scaled-up models allow you to display small products that are extremely difficult to see at regular size.
• Cutaway models can show internal workings of your product.
• No project is too large or too small—if you can design it, we can create a physical model of it.

Large Equipment Models

It is very difficult and expensive to bring large pieces of equipment or machinery to tradeshows.  That is where a miniaturized version of your equipment makes it very easy to ship and setup and portray the same visuals as your large-scale equipment.  We specialize in making small models using different technologies to make the finished model as realistic as the original full-size model.

Cutaway Models

Cutaway models show the interior working view of equipment, machinery, everyday objects, or even buildings.  Whether you need a cutaway of an engine, pump, valve, regulator, transmission, bowling ball, or anatomical model—they all can be built.  Taking the mystery out of an object by being able to view the interior is a great tool for your sales people.

Plant Floor Models

Detailed Plant Floor models allow complete visualization of details and size comparisons that are very difficult to see in digital renderings.  Whether factory floor equipment layouts, oil and gas refineries, treatment plants, manufacturing facilities, or power stations; these Plant Floor Models can clarify the details in planning for the new construction.

Machinery Models

We are often asked to produce scale models of industrial machines or equipment, from quite simple representations to highly detailed, very realistic-looking replicas.  These industrial models are normally used at trade shows or exhibitions, but a few have been commissioned simply for display in board rooms or reception areas.

“The quality and finish exceed our expectations! Well done! Your team clearly put a lot of effort into this project, and we really appreciate the attention to detail and workmanship.  Over the past 10 years we have purchased about 15 scale models from another company, and the quality of your models far exceeds that of any other 3D printed model built for us.  Really impressive! We mostly use these types of models for marketing purposes such as tradeshows, customer meetings, etc.  In some instances, our customers have had large 1:100 scale models made to display in airport terminals public meetings.  For a ribbon cutting ceremony in Toronto, we had small 3D models printed as a giveaway to VIPs.”

• We can 3D print models in different materials including sandstone-like, digital plastic and UV-cured resin. The type of model determines which material will produce the best results.  We can help you choose the material that is best for your project.
• 3D printed industrial models show incredible detail.  The resolution of our printers is finer than a human hair.
• Industrial models can be 3D printed in full-color (over 750,000 variations of color) for awe-inspiring presentations and displays.  No painting required!

Cost of industrial models is based on the volume of material (size of the model), the time it takes to create the 3D printable file and other elements of the model.  Each model is bid individually and the best way to determine cost is to contact us and let us bid your project.

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What file type is required to 3D print a model?

We work with all architectural CAD programs including AutoCAD, Revit, Chief Architect, ArchiCAD and Sketchup, just to name a few.  If you design in 3D, we will start with your 3D files.  If you have 2D blueprints and elevations, photographs, or artist’s sketches, we can build a model from these files as well.

What is the material used?

Most of our industrial models are 3D printed in sandstone-like material; For very fine details, we also print in UV-cured resins.  We also use hand modeling techniques for large sections.

Do the printers print in color?

Yes.  Most of our industrial models are printed in full-color, sandstone-like material and print in full color.  Anything printed in UV-cured resin materials are a single color but can be painted.

What is the largest model you can 3D print?

The build envelope on our larger printers is 9” x 15” x 20”.  This is the largest model we can print in a single piece.  We can 3D print larger models in multiple pieces.

What is the turnaround time for a 3D-printed industrial model?

We usually ask for four to six weeks from the time we take the order to when you will receive the model.  We understand that sometimes deadlines are tight and we can accommodate rush orders in as little as one week.

Can you 3D print the interior of an office or building?

Yes.  We can create a model with a removable roof and floors so you can see the layout of the building.

Can you 3D print machinery, holding tanks, robotics, material handling, etc.?

Yes.  We prepare a 3D design and then print any detail in your machine or facility.

If I want a second model is it cheaper?

Our pricing is based on the amount of material used and the time it takes to prepare your design.  The second model is less money because the design portion is complete.

WhiteClouds has delivered models around the world.

The use of modeling techniques applied to heavy equipment initally started out as toys.  Aluminum Model Toys, known by the acronym AMT, was a Troy, Michigan-based company that manufactured various pre-assembled plastic promotional models starting in 1948.  Most of the company's vehicle products were American cars and trucks in 1/25 scale.

Winross (Rochester, New York) pioneered 1/64 scale promotional model trucks in the early 1960s.  Other American brands followed suit.  In Britain, Lledo made scale lorries in its Vanguards range.  The EFE (Exclusive First Editions) line, which appeared in 1989, included both buses and trucks.

More recently, as industrial engineering techniques have produced more and more advanced factories, machinery, and equipment, the domain of scale modeling has expanded from simple toys into an integral part of the engineering and design process, allowing engineers, architects, and planners to visualize and prototype their designs.  With current techniques, industrial model-makers can create accurate, high-resolution scale representations of finished projects with unparalleled detail and precision.