HOW TO CREATE A ART PLAQUE
At
Bronze Plaque, the plates we make are the result of a collaborative effort:
from the first consultations and preliminary designs to the final installation
of the part, our team of professionals works closely together to ensure that
excellence and experience permeate each step of the process. Below is a detailed description of the bronze casting process so you can see for yourself
the importance of each and every team member, here at Bronze Plaque.
STEPS
IN THE LIFE OF A PLATE
CONSULTATION
AND DESIGN
In
a world of endless possibilities, creating the perfect look for a hob is both
exhilarating and challenging. Capturing the exact essence of the plate's
purpose requires great attention to detail and expertise in the visual arts.
The designers at Bronze Plaque have impressive resumes - with years of
experience and exceptional talent, they pride themselves on creating perfect,
long-lasting prints. Our use of only the best technology to create renderings
for our clients allows them to visualize their plates in the environments for
which they will be manufactured and this adds to the entire creative
experience.
PATTERN
Once
a design is created, the bronze casting process begins. The first step in the
process is creating a pattern, a prototype of what will eventually be made in
bronze. These can be made from various materials, such as photopolymer resins,
woods, and plastics. Bronze Plaque also
uses a variety of software for 3D machining and 3D printing for the more
complicated shapes that may be required for the pattern process. Bronze Plaque
pattern makers have been in the industry for decades and pay extraordinary
attention to detail in this critical part of the process. What we find in the
pattern will likely appear in the final product, so the hands of a craftsman
must be skilled.
MOLD
The
pattern, once complete, can be used to create a mold for the final product.
First, the molder applies a coat of release agent to the pattern so that the
finished mold does not stick to it. A fine sand/epoxy mixture is then applied
and packed over the entire surface of the pattern to ensure all fine details
are included in the mold. The mold is then reinforced to make it strong enough
to maintain its integrity throughout the casting process.
METAL
SPILL
Filling
the mold with molten bronze is not an easy task: workers must be very careful
when handling hot metal, and processes must be in place to remove air bubbles
as it is being poured. To fill the mold safely and efficiently: sprues, slides,
gates, and risers are used to introduce the bronze into the mold and also act
as fans allowing gases to escape from the mold. If you've ever been lucky
enough to see a traditional metal pour, you'll notice that our team members
wear protective gear that looks a lot like spacesuits. As futuristic as it may
sound, bronze casting is actually an ancient tradition.
MOLD
EXTRACTION
After
the bronze has cooled and solidified, it must be removed from its casing. Team
members do this by shaking the mold to loosen all the sand from the plate. This
process safely removes sand from bronze, leaving the raw cast Plaque ready for
finishing touches.
REFINEMENT
Metal
Plaque finishing involves a number of important processes and should be done by
someone with a perfectionist's eye. All components used in making the Art Plaque that will not be part of the
finished product, such as drinking fountains, runners, and doors, must be
removed. The bronze is then cleaned by hand and sanded to give the piece a
perfect shape and finish.
FRAME
To
give the final visual touches to the piece, bronze plates are painted using an
industrial paint system. A steady hand and attention to detail make this
finishing process the final touch at the end of a board's life. Talented
craftsmen make the paint to add dimension, character, and personality to the
plate, as well as to keep it well protected.
INSTALLATION
The
final step in the process comes when a talented team of installers takes the
carefully crafted brass Plaque and expertly install it in your permanent home.
At Bronze Plaque, our plates can end up high in the sky or in busy foot
traffic, and either way they need to be there to last - perfect installation
completes the life cycle of a Plaque and is as essential as ever. stage of the
process.
At
Bronze Plaque Group, when our talented
foundry artisans work together, beautiful things happen!
Contact
us today to discuss your next Art Plaque project
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