Custom Moulding 

GRP Custom Moulding 

Nicholson Plastics has a proud record of creating bespoke customer products through a collaborative design process, all the way through to the final manufacturing operations. These parts are hand crafted in Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP), a material which is a strong robust component due to the embedded glass mat yet still lighter than other alternatives. It is also possible to have a product supplied in a very specific colour, to match a corporate brand or blend into the wider environment, by providing a RAL number.

The following two examples are very different projects that show the real potential of the custom moulding process;

Haptic Cow

Haptic cows are used around the world by veterinary students developing their practical skills without setting foot outside the classroom thanks to a piece of technology that simulates real life situations. The haptic cows are created in four distinct sections, each with specifically design hole locations for examination. The characteristics of the Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) are brought to the fore in this project, the cow is light enough to be moved around by one person yet robust enough to have other equipment attached to the structure.

The mouldings are finished to a high standard and painted to match a real cow. The Haptic Cow is also manufactured in four sections to reduce shipping costs. The four sections of the haptic cow are then easily bolted together, in the final location. Nicholson Plastics also designed and built a specific flight case for storing and shipping the units anywhere in the world.

Architectural Scoop Light

The function of a scoop light is to bring natural light into a building. It was important to the Architect and the final client that these were not only functional, but also brought some design interest to the overall building.

The GRP custom moulding in this case is the black conical section supporting the clear Perspex cover bring the light into the building. The conical sections stand nearly 2 metres in height and largest diameter 3 metres. Again, the characteristics of the Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) are brought to the fore in this project, as the scoop lights require to be light enough to be sit on the roof with additional supports below and robust enough to withstand the wind loading of sitting so high up on a building. The durability and longevity of the material through all weather conditions was also a major factor in the use of the material.