Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, OM+P is one of the few companies to combine traditional model-making and CNC machining with three key RP technologies - laser sintering, vacuum casting and stereolithography (SLA). The 30strong company operates a fully equipped transport model shop for its many automotive clients and invests 13% of turnover per annum in upgrading its facilities.

Sales manager and director, David Bennion, one of a four-man team which completed a management buyout in February 2003, said: "Our core skill is being able to identify the correct process for a customer's job and having the equipment and breadth of knowledge to implement the project in the best way.

"More and more, laser sintering provides the optimal solution, especially with the advent of Alumide powder from Electro Optical Systems Ltd (EOS). It is an aluminium-filled nylon material that allows the resulting metallic-looking, non-porous components to be machined easily and to withstand high temperatures.

We were the first bureau in the UK to offer this service in January 2004."

One project example cited where Alumide proved to be ideal was the manufacture of an intake trumpet for a motorcycle. Two engine-sets of five laser sintered parts was produced in a matter of days and operated perfectly under full race conditions at temperatures approaching 155infinityC.

Conventionally, the components would have been produced using carbon fibre lay-ups, or by machining from a solid aluminium billet, or perhaps even from an investment casting, all processes and that take weeks rather than days and cost at the very least three times as much.

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