Marea Scale Models has launched in the UK with an AI-assisted design process that can reproduce ship-specific details at scales as fine as 30 microns, while keeping assembly and finishing in the hands of experienced model makers. For shipowners and managers, the approach could provide a faster way to commission accurate vessel models for fleet presentations, newbuild deliveries and corporate events.
Marea Scale Models has entered the UK market with Ai Refloat™, a proprietary AI-assisted design process aimed at reducing the manual redesign needed to turn full-sized vessel designs into detailed scale models.
The company said it has already used the process for commercial commissions involving container ships, bulk carriers and crude oil tankers, delivering several models to an international maritime client within two months.
The technology is used at the design stage rather than during manufacturing. It allows Marea to retain vessel-specific features that can become too fine or fragile when a ship is reproduced at a smaller scale.
Marea said its process can reproduce details as fine as 30 microns, or 0.03mm. For shipowners and managers, that can matter when a model needs to represent a particular vessel rather than simply a ship type. Tanker and gas carrier models, for example, can require accurate representation of manifold arrangements, pipework, deck equipment and containment systems.
“Speed on its own is not the point,” said Rezz Ghanty, Creative Director of Marea Scale Models. “The purpose of the technology is to remove delays from the parts of the process where they add no value, without taking time away from the finish. The model still has to be completed by hand and judged by eye.”
Once the digital design is approved, Marea’s team carries out assembly, painting, detailing, finishing and weathering manually. The company’s Master Model Maker has more than 30 years of bench experience and oversees the final surface treatment.
“Technology should not replace skilled people,” Ghanty said. “It should allow them to concentrate on the areas where judgement and experience matter most.”
Marea’s initial focus is merchant shipping, covering container ships, cargo vessels, bulk carriers, crude and product tankers and VLCCs. It also produces smaller presentation models using recycled marine waste material in limited runs of 10 units, aimed at occasions such as newbuild deliveries and naming ceremonies.
