RB Engineering received a new project request for steel fabrication at Paignton Zoo.  The Zoo had designed a background theme for their latest feature Wetlands that was due to open in the summertime.   This gave the team at RB Engineering a month to complete the project.

Paignton Zoo had prepared the design in an art package file which had to be converted to work in the water jet cutting software.   Several meetings were held between the Zoo and RB Engineering to discuss the changes that were required before work could commence.  Health and safety issues were also discussed including the rounding off the sharp points that showed in the original design to make the sculpture safe.

The client also specified that they would like to have the sculpture made with mild steel as this would give a rustic look to the piece.

Drawings were then made for the project and once they were accepted by the client an order was placed for the material.  Once the material had arrived it was loaded into the water jet and cut to the required size.

The client visited RB Engineering to discuss how much roll was required on the plate.  The end result had to be that the sculpture would stand on its own without wobbling.  The plate was then rolled to specification.

On completion of the project the sculpture was then delivered to the site and placed in concrete by staff at the Zoo.  The steel fabrication for Paignton Zoo was a success and the client and designers were extremely happy with the end result.

You can check out the work for yourself as the sculpture still stands at the entry to the Wetlands feature at Paignton Zoo.

Tags: Design, drawing, Paignton Zoo, sculpture, Steel Fabrication