The work is being done for ICEE’s customer Littlehampton Welding Ltd., a leading UK maker and installer of architectural metalwork and public realm artworks. Littlehampton Welding’s customer is in turn Remembered, a new charity currently running a major nationwide campaign called ‘There But Not There’, featuring the evocative profiles. Remembered’s campaign is designed to support the commemoration marking the armistice period and the end of WW1 centenary in November this year.
Using the same high pressure Bystronic computer numerical control (CNC) waterjet machine to cut plastic and metal versions, the parts ICEE has produced for Littlehampton Welding include several 1.83m high solid profiles, cut from 25mm thick clear acrylic plastic, and a 2.8m high linear outline cut in one piece from 20mm thick mild steel plate.
As a striking way to publicise the ‘There But Not There’ campaign and raise money for beneficiary charities, the Tommy Soldier profiles and outlines, cut by ICEE, are being finished and installed by Littlehampton Welding for Remembered, across the United Kingdom in prominent public spaces.
Picture shows a 2.8m high outline of a Tommy Soldier, cut by ICEE Managed Services, located outside the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners in London.
ICEE waterjet proves the best cutting method for plastic and metal
To cut out Tommy Soldier profiles from clear acrylic plastic, Littlehampton Welding decided the waterjet method was best suited because it is a cold-cutting process and it cuts cleanly, accurately and rapidly. The cut surface has a fine quality matt appearance that requires no fettling and gives no clue as to the production process. Additionally, without any compromises, the same machine will also cut mild steel sheet and plate.
As one of several subcontractors approached, ICEE was given the job because, as Littlehampton Welding’s Technical Director Martin Norrell says: “We have worked with ICEE before and tend to prefer them for finer quality projects. We know their waterjet equipment is modern and appropriate and they also possess the right expertise.
“What’s more, we like their approach because they listen carefully and are willing to persist with the development process. They will readily make samples and prove-out ideas. This has resulted in right-first-time, reliable and cost-effective production. Additionally, ICEE being relatively close means we can drop in anytime to discuss ideas and progress. Transport costs are less and delivery time is minimised,” he says.
With little or no heat produced during the process, ICEE’s waterjet machine will cut a variety of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, including mild steel, Corten weathering steel and stainless steel up to 25mm thick (a greater thickness for aluminium). Titanium plate may also be cut and stone materials including granite up to 230mm thick, plus concrete (with or without reinforcing bar), carbon fibre composite materials and plastics.
While the Tommy Soldier plastic profiles and metal outlines are processed with the waterjet machine cutting in two-dimensional (2D) mode, ICEE’s machine will also cut in 3D.
Thanks to 5-axis computer numerical control (CNC) movements, 3D cutting offers great potential for producing a variety of imaginative, three-dimensional forms from thick materials. The 3D process often offers a less costly alternative to milling, grinding or casting.
1. At a pressure of 80,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), ICEE’s waterjet machine’s high pressure pump forces an abrasive mixture of water and fine garnet grit through a 0.28mm diameter nozzle. This all combines to form a powerful and aggressive cutting stream that will cleanly cut through practically any ferrous or non-ferrous material, from a variety of steel, titanium and exotic high performance alloys including Inconel®, to aluminium and brass, ceramics and composites, and stone and concrete. It does this without creating significant heat, so plastics will not melt and on metals, no heat-affected zones (HAZ) form around the narrow line of cut, or kerf.
2. Called ‘There But Not There’ and with the aims to commemorate, educate and heal, Remembered are running the campaign and over its course aim to raise more than £15m for a number of associated, beneficiary charities – see website below. After 2018, Remembered will have other projects to help in continuing to achieve its aims.
3. Smaller, 250mm high versions of the Tommy Soldier profiles in clear acrylic plastic are available to the public from the There but Not There website, in this case, all made by the Royal British Legion Industries, appropriately, by ex-Service Veterans employed by RBLI. Note, these profiles were not cut by ICEE. Funds generated go to the beneficiary charities.
4. The Tommy Soldier profiles and outlines represent a rifle-bearing WW1 soldier, standing in contemplation. The silhouette is based on the graphic part of Remembered’s logo, which was itself inspired by a contemporary photograph taken by a pioneering war photographer, Horace Nicholls – see https://www.therebutnotthere.org.uk/our-tommy-logo/
About Remembered
About the ‘There But Not There’ campaign:
There But Not There is the 2018 Armistice project for the charity Remembered.
Remembered aims to:
• Inspire communities to purchase and install our silhouettes of their local Fallen wherever they are listed for the Armistice Period, 2018, and/or to buy our 6’ Tommy figure for use in a public space at any time through 2018
• Educate all generations about why they made the ultimate sacrifice
• Raise very substantial funds to help heal those suffering from the hidden wounds of war
Picture shows life-size, 1.83m high Tommy Soldier profiles, cut by ICEE Managed Services, arrayed on display at St Pancras International railway station, London.
For further media enquiries please contact:
Print & online media: Liam Maguire, E. LMaguire@newsfeedpr.co.uk│T. 07464 985 052
Broadcast media: Jack Baine, E. JBaine@goodbroadcast.co.uk│T. 07392 105453
More information from: https://www.therebutnotthere.org.uk/
About Littlehampton Welding
Littlehampton Welding Limited is a specialist manufacturer of mostly large-scale and dramatic-looking architectural and structural metalwork. Possessing over thirty years of experience the company offers a complete service from concept through to on-site installation, encompassing design, fabrication and finishing. It undertakes a wide range of projects for a variety of clients such as architects, designers and artists. Its work includes all types of staircases, balustrades and bridges as well as an increasing number of large scale sculptures and design pieces. Based in Littlehampton, West Sussex, the company works throughout the UK and has made and installed a major outdoor project for a world-renowned sports car maker in Stuttgart, Germany.
More information from: http://littlehamptonwelding.co.uk/
About ICEE Managed Services
ICEE’S waterjet work is part of a range of manufacturing services to several market sectors, including the making, fitting out, installation and life-time maintenance of standard and bespoke enclosures for telecommunications, broadcasting and data networks; control and communication services to the rail and highways sectors; and a range of services to the architecture, building and construction industry including roofing, electrical and mechanical works, architectural and structural metalwork, strip-out and refurbishment. The company serves regional utilities and authorities, MoD establishments, and aerospace and satellite communications industries. Its quality accreditation includes compliance with BS EN ISO 9001:2000, NICEIC and other important business and industry standards.
More information from: https://www.icee.co.uk/waterjet-cutting/