Northern Survey (Ongoing)

**IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS PROJECT IS ONGOING AND SO THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED IN THE COMING WEEKS**

In early 2024, Premier Ship Models was tasked with the construction of four individual models for Northern Survey, a Danish-based maritime company.

The four models were the Northern Grace, Northern Maria, Northern Karoline and the Northen Gannet, each varying in size and detail. The Grace was to measure 130 centimetres in length, the Maria 149, 102 for the Karoline, and the Gannet was to be the smallest model with a length of 80 centimetres.

Northern Survey have years of experience when it comes to solving complex offshore tasks, with an entire fleet dedicated to facing various challenging problems. The Maria specialises in Geophysical seabed mapping, geotechnical sampling, environmental assignments and remotely-operated vehicle operations. The Karoline is also excellent at these tasks, whilst the Northern Gannet is a smaller sailing vessel. Lastly is the Northern Grace, which is also a sailing vessel.

As stated in the overview, this project is being carried out for Northern Survey, a Danish-based shipping company. They were founded in 2009, and their headquarters are based in Hadsten, near the city of Aarhus.

The models were all to be constructed from wood, before being finished off with details that had been 3D printed and then completed by hand. The materials being used are timber, fibre glass and chrome for smaller details.

3D printing is a highly intricate field requiring knowledge in three main areas:

• The material
• The printer
• The methodology for achieving the desired final product

This process is highly specialized. Our off-site 3D-printing expert specializes in two main areas: digitally creating and preparing the model for printing, and then post-processing the printed parts to achieve a professional finish.

Each model is without any internal mechanisms or lighting, and they are each fitted with wooden bases. The client also wanted the models without any flags.

Our bespoke projects commence with in-depth consultations with our clients, ensuring we thoroughly grasp their vision and can realise it precisely as they imagine. We place a strong emphasis on transparency, offering regular updates on the progress of their order and working together to agree on delivery schedules and payment terms. In this instance, the collective build time was set at 9 months.

When engaging in 3D printing at any level, our process begins by creating a digital version of the model. We frequently utilise premium materials, including photosensitive resin, acrylic, and timber, and employ 3D simulation modelling and laser cutting to achieve the highest level of precision. For this project, since it was a combination of 3D printing and woodworking, we were careful to utilise our time appropriately and carry out the construction of the wooden base in tandem with the printing of other parts.

To ensure a seamless operation, we temporarily halt production to give clients the opportunity to approve the digital render or provide any feedback. Once they are satisfied, we proceed promptly to save both time and resources.

Preparing the digital render for the 3D printer is one of the more intricate steps. We use specialised software to break the render down into manageable sections, each representing a part of the model, ensuring everything is meticulously labelled and organised. Advanced software is then employed to verify that these sections are correctly sized, sturdy, and waterproof.

Once the render is finalised, we move on to laser cutting and begin the construction phase. This hands-on stage, known as ‘finishing,’ demands a high level of skill and experience. Typically, we divide the hull into three sections, joining them with adhesive and allowing them to dry before adding further details. The hull is painted first to maintain structural integrity.

Here, this wasn’t necessary, as the majority of each model was handcrafted from wood.

During this process, our 3D specialist prepares the smaller components, cleaning and painting them individually.

Throughout the entire process, we keep our clients updated with numerous photos and written reports. Client satisfaction is our highest priority, and we welcome any feedback to make necessary adjustments.

With this project coming to a close in the near future, expect more updates to this page! So far though, the client seems thrilled with the models, and we’re so happy with the speed and quality of our work.

It’s always a pleasure to work collaboratively with corporations like Northern Survey, and it’s an honour to turn some of their vessels into models. We cannot wait for the final result!