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Crafting Styrofoam and Styrodur. Properties and applications.

Styrofoam and Styrodur are materials that are characterized by lightness, thermal insulation and ease of processing. These materials are durable, efficient in installation and inexpensive. Safe for health, non-toxic, resistant to fungi, bacteria and mold. They can also be recycled. A great advantage is their resistance to mechanical damage and water resistance. It does not swell under the influence of moisture, does not absorb it, does not change its thermal insulation properties. It also shows considerable resistance to the action of aqueous solutions of alkalis, acids, salts.

Cutting these materials with a CNC plotter allows for obtaining refined elements of various shapes and forms.

Styrofoam and Styrodur processing also involves forming, gluing and painting these materials, which allows for a wide range of uses in many different industries.

Here are some of the main areas where Styrofoam models are used:

1. Architecture and construction:

• Architectural models: Styrofoam models are used to create models of buildings, housing estates, urban spaces and other architectural objects. Styrofoam allows for easy reproduction of details and shapes, and is also lightweight, which makes it easier to manipulate the models.

• Prototypes and construction models: In the design phase of machines, buildings or other engineering structures, Styrofoam models can act as casting molds. They also help visualize concepts and test different construction solutions before they are made in full scale. In this case, Styrofoam can also be used to produce protective strips and angles.

2. Advertising and exhibition:

• Advertising models: Advertising companies often create large polystyrene models that are intended to attract attention, such as logos, letters, symbols or other elements used in advertising campaigns. Thanks to their easy processing and the possibility of painting or covering with advertising material, polystyrene is a popular choice.

• Exhibition decorations: In shops, galleries, museums and fairs, polystyrene models are used to create decorations that attract attention. These can be various architectural elements, such as columns, figures, as well as spatial figures related to the exhibition theme.

3. Film and theatre industry:

• Film props: Styrofoam models are commonly used in film and theatre productions to create props, such as models of buildings, cars, ships or characters. Styrofoam allows for the creation of low-weight details, which is important for productions that require a large number of elements.

• Scenography: In theatre and film, Styrofoam is used to create scenography. It can be used to make elements such as walls, parts of buildings, as well as characters that will be a background or part of the performance.

4. Automotive and aerospace industry:

• Prototype models: In the process of creating new models of cars, airplanes or other vehicles, Styrofoam is used to create initial, low-cost prototypes. These models help engineers and designers check the shape, functionality and aerodynamics of vehicles.

• Models of details: In the automotive and aerospace industries, Styrofoam is also used to produce models of individual components, such as vehicle interiors, engines or accessories.

5. Education and science:

• Educational models: In schools, universities and laboratories, polystyrene models are used as teaching aids for learning about various physical, biological and geographical phenomena. They can be used to create models of planetary systems, the structure of the human body or topographic maps.

• Geological models: In geology, polystyrene models can be used to visualize geological processes, such as the formation of mountains, volcanoes or other geological structures.

6. Crafts and Arts:

• Sculpture: Styrofoam is used by artists to create sculptures and art installations. It is an easy material to cut, model, and paint, making it ideal for experimenting with form.

• Casting molds: Styrofoam models can be used as molds to create castings of other materials, such as plaster, resin, concrete, cast iron, and even metal (Lost Foam Technology).

7. Food industry:

• Food packaging models: In the food industry, Styrofoam models can be used to create packaging prototypes. This allows for testing the shape and function of the packaging before mass production.

8. Models for engineering purposes:

• Test models: In engineering, Styrofoam models can be used to test various technical solutions, such as airflow, the effect of forces, and structural analysis. The ability to easily create large-scale models allows engineers to perform simulations and tests.

9. Historical reconstructions:

• Historical models: In museums and institutions dealing with the protection of cultural heritage, polystyrene models are used to create reconstructions of historical buildings, monuments, architectural elements or even archaeological treasures.

All these applications show how versatile the styrofoam material is and how easily it can be adapted to various industries and purposes, from industry to art.

In our company, we will carry out the processing tailored to your needs.

info@cub4u.com

Pictures by Freepik

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