1. What do you call this process?
2. How does it work?
3. What is the maximum size to scan?
4. What is the maximum enlargement?
5. How much does this cost, and what are its advantages?
6. How accurate is this process?
7. What are the limitations?
8. Is foam toxic or dangerous?
9. Can I put clay on to the foam surface?
10. How can I get a quote?

1. What do you call this process?

Digital Scanning and CNC (computer numerically controlled) milling.

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2. How does it work?

Your maquette is laser scanned 3 dimensionally, each "point" receives an address, and that information is fed to the computer driven milling machine, where it is cut out of either urethane or EPS foam. One scan can produce as many as one quarter million measurement points in less than a minute.

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3. What is the maximum size to scan?

The scanner can handle maquettes up to 30" H x 18" Dia. Maquettes can also be cut into pieces.

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4. What is the maximum enlargement?

Virtually limitless, as pieces can be done in sections.

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5. How much does this cost, and what are its advantages?

This is a custom process, therefore each piece has its own peculiarities. It depends on the complexity of the sculpture, computer time, and material used. An example: a recently enlarged figure (8' out of 4# urethane foam) cost $5,000, plus shipping (roughly $500/ft. for a simple cyl. figure). It took about 2 weeks. This process saves time, especially for monumental enlargements, and allows you to see the proportions before you commit to clay!

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6. How accurate is this process?

Within 1.5% of maquette dimensions.

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7. What are the limitations?

Complex shapes with "hidden" areas become filled in and have to be removed by hand. This applies if there is an overlapping shape or undercut, and can also be true depending on how the object is scanned, and which surfaces are critical to the finished product. The artist is shown a computer printout before cutting, so you can see what areas will need to be reworked.

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8. Is foam toxic or dangerous?

Toxicity is a complex subject. Water is toxic if you breath it. Smoke from burning foam is toxic. As supplied, foams we use can be safely carved and sanded without risk. Reasonable safety precautions are recommended for comfort and protection from nuisance dust. These materials do not require respirators for carving. Dust masks will make working the foam more comfortable. Ask for a copy of the MSDS sheet on any foam you are considering.

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9. Can I put clay on to the foam surface?

Yes, most sculptors like to clay the surface themselves. We can scale the piece down in the computer to compensate for this. We suggest coating urethane foam with shellac or resin before applying clay. EPS foam can only be coated with certain resins.

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10. How can I get a quote?

Contact Howard Macken at William Kreysler & Associates (707) 552-3500, extension 16, or E-mail to howard@kreysler.com.

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A few projects done in 1997-98 by William Kreysler & Associates, Inc. include:

• 46' Lion for MGM, Las Vegas
• Duke Ellington Memorial, New York
• Life Size Dinosaurs, Albuquerque
• FDR Memorial Panels, Washington, D.C.
• Marine World Show Elements

Artists who have used our services include:

• Ed Dwight
• Eugene Daub
• Richard Macdonald
• Robert Graham
• Claes Oldenburg & Coosje Van Bruggen
• Jeff Koon
• Kent Ullberg
• Bruce Wolfe
• Walt Disney Imagineering
• and others...