Quite often, product designers have to prototype a 3D model from sketched idea within the shortest possible time at the lowest budget. Plaster of Paris takes too long to dry. Wood is too hard, cardboard is too flimsy, cement is too heavy, polystyrene lacks detailing or LAM/CNC is too costly, etc.

Industrial styling clay is the solution. Long used by car designers for its fine texture, oil base industrial styling clay offers indefinite repeat usages with no loss of features. Easy to soften a basic shape on microwave defrost mode or heating oven preferably with circulating hot air at 100˚C - 150˚C. Sticks well onto itself or polystyrene or wood block carved to basic shape. Once cooled it can be carved, stamped or shaped with no memory rebouncing. Stays firmly in place with sharp features even with handling. Dimensionally stable as well. Available in soft, medium or hard to suit work style. Work with micro tools or stainless steel tools dipped in water give a smooth clean finish. Flexible stainless steel scrapers especially the toothed version removes excess clay within control. Excess clay removed can be refilled and smoothened with wet thumb. Contour gauge ensures duplication perfectly. Warmed soft clay can be extruded with profiled dyes of clay gun.

A spray with polyurethane release agent can easily make a mold with Por-A-Mold PU rubber. If using silicone rubber, model with the superfine sulphur-free industrial styling clay. Por-A-Mold rubber is available in soft (S111), medium (S333) or hard (S555 or SX50) to suit model design. Easier and cheaper to use than silicone rubber. Cast Por-A-Mold rubber into Industrial Styling Clay molds in rapid prototyping of parts.

Should only one prototype is required, aerosol spray or acrylic paint the industrial styling clay model. Takes on laminating films well or simply burnish smooth with a wax paper placed over model. For a super finish airbrush with waterbase Supergloss varnish. Takes decorative studs and nails well without coming loose.

Industrial styling clay is the better choice for aspiring budget-conscious industrial designers. Students are known to recover cost through sales to peers upon graduation.

back to previous