Model head - mounting platform

After finishing the raw XPS-slices model, it was filling and sanding time.
To this point the surface of the model resembled a staircase, but to laminate directly onto it, using the model as a mould, it had to be smoothed first. We used a polyester filler, setting-time about  5 minutes, which was rather short, but let one sand without waiting a whole day.

After sanding round 1, still pretty bumpy

After sanding round 2, getting better

After sanding round 3, starts to look smooth. Surface is still wet, as we sanded wet to avoid dust.

Of course there is a time-lapse video of the process. Ok - of the first two rounds filling. Sanding was quite dirty and took place outdoors...
5 second intervall


Filling the model time-lapse from Unicorniversity on Vimeo.

Positioning

Next thing to be evaluated is the position of the horn. This is a very crucial point in the whole design process, as it manly determines the look of the unicorn. Again 

Luckily we had the digital model to experiment with possible scenarios.

As 'A' is too far back, we decided to go with a solution between 'B' and 'C'. In addition 'A' would have been in close proximity to the hair and there might haven't been enough space for our mounting solution.

In this last picture everything has been prepared to start building the platform. The model has become a mold. As you can the surface is smooth and glossy after three rounds of sanding and the additional spray painted clear varnisch and ready to be used for further steps.

We've already marked and outlined the platform dimensions and the position of the horn. One can clearly see the shape of the hair, that will provide sideway stability.