Discovery and concept development
The first step in any project is to define the functionality and features of the required GRP components, which should be determined during the initial design consultancy service.
If you decide to proceed, a more in-depth period of ‘discovery’ should be undertaken to predict the project’s scope accurately. As a rule of thumb, the more thorough the discovery, the fewer design compromises need to be made during production.
CAD design and production planning
Step two is converting the discovered concept into a 3D CAD model and a final, detailed specification from which the rest of the production process can be planned.
Pattern and tool making
The drawings are then turned into a full-size, highly finished, 3D model known as the pattern or ‘plug’ from which, in turn, a hand-laid GRP mould or ‘tool’ is produced.
This tool can be a simple, one-piece mould or split into multiple elements to accommodate more complex shapes.
Prototyping
Sometimes, a production prototype may be required before committing to final manufacture, especially where an unusual application or high-volume product run is planned.
Manufacturing and production
Whether it is a single item or a large run, with 30 full-time laminators, three independent workshops totalling over 14,000 sq. ft. of useable floorspace and 50 feet of head clearance, manufacturing is rarely constrained by product size or production volume.
Cost and timeline estimating
The cost associated with each stage will be quoted from the detailed specification. Project time is largely determined by complexity, but as a guide, the council bandstand illustrated here was six months from initial consultation to installation.
Please note that ‘design and development’ is not covered by the Quality Standard and is therefore excluded from the ISO9001:2015 certification.
