A total of three Aston Martin DB 5 models were created at the company’s service centre. The models double for the now priceless original vehicle from the 1960s in the film’s action scenes.
Action scenes in expensive film productions such as a James Bond film must look as realistic as possible. For the model builders working behind the scenes, the high demands of film makers translate into more requirements and detail work. Therefore companies such as Propshop Modelmakers Ltd., which specialises in the production of film props, are always on the look-out for trend-setting manufacturing methods.
The fact that the British company selected the 3D printing technology Binder Jetting of a German provider is a special honour for the Augsburg company. “Of course only state-of-the-art technology was used for the James Bond film Skyfall. To be considered a benchmark by the model builders from the Pinewood Studios is evidence of the performance and position of our 3D printing system in terms of global ranking,” says voxeljet CEO Dr. Ingo Ederer.
3D printing for concrete casting in the architecture and construction industry
“Propshop commissioned us to build three plastic models of the Aston Martin DB5. We could have easily printed the legendary sports car in one piece at a scale of 1:3 using our industrial 3D printer VX4000, which can build molds and models in dimensions of up to eight cubic meters. But the British model builders were pursuing a different approach. To ensure that the Aston Martin was as true to detail as possible, and for the purpose of integrating numerous functions into the film models, they decided on an assembly consisting of a total of 18 individual components. The entire body is based on a steel frame, almost identical to how vehicles were assembled in the past,” says Ederer.
The model builders at Propshop then meticulously assembled and finished the components, painted them in the original colour and added chrome applications along with realistic-looking bullet holes. The special effects that can be seen in Skyfall confirm the perfection in execution of this work. After the finishing process, it is impossible to distinguish the Aston Martin models made with the voxeljet printer from the original, even in the close-up shots.
Further Case Studies
Art foundry Strassacker creates artistic works using 3D printing systems by voxeljet
3D printing modernizes traditional art casting
Binder Jetting" 3D printing is ideal for large-format and highly complex architectural projects. 3D printing for the entire BIM process chain.
Taking 3D printing to the next level for architects and element builders
3D printing has become an integral part of architecture.
The design of living spaces using 3D printing
For fifteen years the team from the Egyptian Museum in Berlin dug in the Sudanese desert and restored historically valuable items.
Restoration using 3D printing
Architects have already been using 3D printing technology for creating true-to-scale models for a number of years.
Art room from the 3D printer
3D printed design objects open up new possibilities for product designers, interior designers and artists to showcase their work and design solutions.
3D printing for product and interior designers
The visually impaired can touch and feel the bronze models to obtain a detailed impression of the shapes and surfaces of the buildings.
3D printed architectural models for bronze casting
Get in touch
Industrial 3D Printing Systems
Our portfolio of industrial 3D printers ranges from compact systems for research to additive mass production.