Innovation

When we design products, whether our own products or commissions for clients, we love to be innovative. This is especially important when the end form of a product is often dictated by the need to accurately represent a real object that once existed, or still exists.  In this case we must innovate in how we recreate the essence of that object at a much reduced scale.

This is often done through a careful choice of materials and processes and also through utilising the amazing technical advances that been made in miniaturisation and production.  What a contrast with the early days of railway modelling where model size, and model gauge was limited by the minimum size of motors for example.

Innovation doesn’t have to be obvious or large scale; for example we wanted to be able to 3D print complete wheelsets for rolling stock in 7mm scale and also 3D print chassis for the rolling stock too.  The big problem was that 3D printed materials, while delivering great accuracy, had poor wear resistance when the wheelset was supported by simple pin-point bearings and also the wheelsets had low mechanical strength.  Our solution is to 3D print chassis in the material that gives the greatest accuracy, then 3D print complete wheelsets in a more durable material that has very similar properties to ABS. Then, in between the two, we use sub-miniature ball bearings to make a strong, truly rolling interface.  The result is optimised quality and performance.

A sub-miniature ball bearing for a scale model railway wagon showing how Forge Model Works is innovative in its approach to mechanical design for model railways

We are very keen on modularity and flexibility in our designs, particularly with models of buildings as this gives our customers much greater opportunity to utilise products in the best way for their layouts.  A good example is our Hendre Shed; for this product range we developed a clip together design that allows customers to assemble any combination of model side panels extending for any building length.

An extract from an instruction manual for a Forge Model Works Building kit showing how innovative design has created a unique assembly method for model building panels.

In an entirely different product area we have produced an innovative model baseboard system that allows the user to create free flowing modular baseboards constructed from laser cut timber panels.  The overall layout design is developed on CAD and then broken down into individual lightweight modules.  Final scenery construction is still creatively carried out freehand but the chore of constructing the baseboard sub-structure is greatly simplified.

A plan drawing od a model railway baseboard designed by Forge Model Works showing an innovative approach to baseboard constructions manufacture.

So, for us at Forge Model Works, innovation is crucial and brings real benefits for our customers.