Architectural 3D Printing Service

High resolution surface finish and precise detailing

Get a quote
Home | Markets | Architectural

Rapid Prototyping Services For Architectural Design

Contemporary architectural design pushes the boundaries of engineering and materials. Architects and structural engineers require a reliable facility to fully test design concepts and evaluate aesthetic considerations.

With rapid prototyping and 3D printing, detailed architectural models can be produced from CAD files in just a couple days. 3D printing is ideal for quickly transforming architectural sketches and digital CAD into a physical expression of the architect’s vision and produce the complex models that this field demands.

CAD and additive layer manufacturing (rapid prototyping) has enabled architects to rapidly produce scale models of even the most complicated of structures. Our SLA materials are ideal for depicting intricate designs with a range of possible surface finishes, including optically clear materials. Our SLS technology enables us to build creative forms with strength and integrity in single pieces.

For architectural prototypes and models, Malcolm Nicholls Ltd (MNL) produces a high resolution surface finish and precise detailing. Accurately produced to scale, complex design ideas can be faithfully visualised in 3-dimensions, including interior design features, surface textures and finishes.

We can further enhance the features using expert techniques for faithfully realising colour/tint and many additional details.

MNL also produce technical models. An example would be for wind tunnel testing and stress analysis, with built in air pressure tubes accurately manufactured using Stereolithography (SLA) direct from your CAD data. Large scale models present no problem, as models can be sectionallyl deconstructed using CAD and reassembled. SLA can also be used for any transparent model requirements, as the models can be post finished to any degree of clarity.

Our range of high definition materials allow architectural clients to translate 2D designs and rendered visualisations into beautifully detailed and accurate scale models. Physical 3D models are perfect for display purposes or to communicate ideas to customers not familiar with interpreting plans and drawings.

Used in conjunction with the traditional architectural model-making techniques that MNL has developed over the last 40-plus years, we can deliver highly detailed and highly finished models in very quick time-scales within budget that stand out from the crowd.

Architectural Prototype Success Stories

3D Printed Using the SLA Process CAD and additive layer manufacture (rapid prototyping) has enabled architects to rapidly produce scale models of even the most complicated of structures. Our SLA materials are ideal for depicting intricate designs with a range of possible surface finishes, including optically clear materials.
View more projects like this 3D Printed Using the SLA Process MNL produced a Stereolithography (SLA) model, due to the size of the model (over a metre tall) it was built in sections on a SLA 500 3D printing machine. The individual sections were glued and fabricated to make a full assembly of the building.
View this project Vacuum Cast Lord Mayors Building Trophy These model “trophies” were as a thank you to all those that helped with the building of the iconic building. They were given out during the “Topping Out Ceremony”.
View this project A Combination of 3D Printing Methods The model needed to be capable of illustrating the new technology to be used at the plant whilst demonstrating how the logistics of waste delivery to the plant is handled. The scale of the model needed to be large enough to show detail, yet small enough to enable the show piece to fit in a car. The perfect size combination chosen was approx. 1.5m x 1.2m.
View this project 3D Printed Wind Tunnel Building from SLA No other 3D printing technology offers this ability. The difficulty, even with SLA is ensuring that 100% of the enclosed SLA resin is removed from the tubes. With as many as several thousand pressure points being traced across distances, sometimes in excess of 5-600mm, great care has to be taken to ensure the tubes are resin free.
View this project Get a Quote Now

Got a project we could help with this minute?

Get a Quote

    Subscribe me to the mailing list; we won't bombard you with tons of spam, honest. Just the odd news, or general marketing email :-)

    Upload your data for all other projects such as surface finishing, vac casting, CNC machining

    If you are looking for 3D Printing did you know you can fill in an online instant quote? (Try Me)

    If a conversation would be easier, give us a call to discuss further 01789 490382

      Our prefered file format is compressed stl files [.mgx]. For the StlZip utility to produce mgx files click here.

      For a full list of acceptable formats click here. Only ONE file at a time; for multiple parts please zip into one file.

      Subscribe me to the mailing list; we won't bombard you with tons of spam, honest. Just the odd news, or general marketing email :-)

      Upon Successful upload of your data, you will be emailed a tailored enquiry form to complete and return. You will be able to confirm/append your requirements in full including the desired process, materials, colours, finish, quantities etc.