AHTS (Anchor Handling - Tug - Supply)
	'Far Saltire'
	Etched Brass Components
	Using etched brass sheet has enabled me to produce fittings which would have been difficult for me to make any other way. I produce an accurate drawing which is then passed on to a Company who produce the etched sheets.
	I use '4D Models'. A Model Shop and Workshops based in London. They have an extensive stock of general model making material & equipment, and provide a number of manufacturing services including commercial Acid Etching & Dry Transfer Lettering. The dry transfer lettering is like 'Letraset', a rub down lettering & all the wording & markings (excluding the "F") on Far Saltire was produced by 4D Models from my own art work.
	Their web site has full information on all the services and model making material etc.
	| 4D Models |
	4D Models require an accurate drawing, which I provide in paper form but they can also work from computer files.
	A use a CAD programme and all the etching work to date has been drawn with 'Quickcad', a basic CAD package which unfortunately is no longer available.
	Once I have finished all the etching for Far Saltire, I am changing to 'Turbocad', (Turbocad Deluxe Version 14) a much more advanced CAD programme which is fully supported, regularly updated and Teaching programs are available.
	A list of the various CAD related Firm's I use are on my | Web Links | page.
	A4 sheet ready to pass on to 4D Models
	In Quickcad I draw the various pieces at their final size working to fill an A4 sheet of paper and it pays to fill the sheet as the costs are for the sheet not the number of items on it.
	An enlarged section of the above A4 sheet.
	The next picture (below), shows some of the etched pieces made from the above drawing.
	The Black area's will be the final etched pieces, all the white area is fully eaten away be the acid.
	The red marking's indicate where I need the sheet 'HALF ETCHED', this is where only one side of the sheet is etched at that place (the red area). The Acid Etch process works from both sides of the sheet at the same time, in effect meeting in the middle, so when 4D Models produce the art work for the sheet, each side of the sheet has different areas selected for etching. One side has the red and black shown as an all black image, the other side, has the red areas shown clear (white). The etching process only works on one side, so producing the half etching.
	I half etch all the joining tabs which are used to hold all the various pieces together on the sheet, so the pieces are easier to remove. The joining tabs are VERY important as if an item is not properly secured on the sheet, it will drop off and be lost during the process.
	To date all the etching is on 0.3 mm thick brass.
	Various pieces for the Anchor winch (vessels own anchors) they are designed to slot together to make assembly easier
	Unit assembled, all from etched pieces.
	Mooring Rope storage container on foredeck.
	The half etching can be used to provide "bending lines" as seen here. The joining tabs still need to be removed from the pieces.
	More pictures of this winch unit and other etched parts can be seen on the | Deck Fittings & Equipment Page |
	Progress Pictures
	more will be added as the model advances
	Click on thumbnail to enlarge picture
			An etched sheet
			Close Up
			Another Sheet
			Cargo Rail Pieces
			Cargo Rail Joint
			Joint Formed
			Fixing the Frames
			Frames Fitted
			Fitting the Tube
			Starboard Rail
			Port Cargo Rail
			Rails on the Deck
			Stern Pin Unit
			Deck Fittings
	| Etching Work on Superstructure/Bridge Area |
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	Material Copyright © 2010 Alan Rose