APC scale model

Hard-surface scale build, 3D-printed and hand-finished in-house for institutional display at IDEX.

Brief

Scale fabrication piece for an IDEX display case: institutional defence and aerospace context, hard-surface build, no margin for shortcut. The piece had to stand the run of the show and continue into a permanent display after.

6 weeks Brief to delivery

Low-poly CAD reference of the APC vehicle, panelised and ready for slicing — Source CAD. Every panel, hatch, turret ring and wheel hub mapped before a single layer ran.

Process

Source CAD modelled to the reference vehicle and panelised for print: body, doors, chassis, turret, wheels and dozens of detail parts mapped before any layer ran. Large-format SLA for the body sections; fine-resolution SLA for the detail parts (wheel hubs, hatches, hardware, running boards). Every print pulled, supports cleaned, surfaces sanded.

Bare 3D-printed APC scale model on the printer bed, three-quarter front view — Off the SLA bed. Supports cleaned, panels matched. Primer-ready.

Bare 3D-printed APC scale model on the printer bed, side / rear view — Off the SLA bed. Supports cleaned, panels matched. Primer-ready.

Primer, base coat, weathering pass, sealer, done in-house, panel by panel. Detail parts finished separately and bonded only after paint cured.

Hand holding a finished wheel hub showing the layered SLA-printed detail before bonding to the tyre — Wheel hub finishing. Detail goes part by part, every bonded join inspected.

Every panel taken in and out before paint. No surprises at install.

Outcome

Delivered to the IDEX display case on schedule. Held visual through the run of the show and went straight into a permanent display after. A second commission followed in the same fit-out programme.