How are sand table models made?

Sand Table Model Production Process Analysis

I. Preliminary Preparation Stage

Data Collection

Use drones to obtain 1:100 scale topographic maps

Collect building facade texture photos (it is recommended to shoot on cloudy days to avoid glare)

Record site characteristics and vegetation distribution

Material Selection

Base plate: 12mm thick high-density PVC foam board

Terrain modeling: polystyrene foam board (EPS)

Building Structure: Laser-cut acrylic panels

Background: 3D-printed resin components

II. Core Production Process

Terrain Shaping

Contour line layered cutting (one layer every 5 meters of elevation)

Apply hot melt adhesive, then spray a gypsum reinforcement layer

Use an electric engraving pen to shape mountain textures

Building Construction

Laser-engraved exterior wall decorative lines  

Semi-transparent glass curtain walls using vacuum coating technology  

Night scene model with pre-embedded LED light strips  

Environmental creation  

Water systems: Epoxy resin casting + UV curing  

Vegetation: Electrostatic flocking technology to simulate grass  

Roads: Sandblasted acrylic panels with laser-etched grooves

III. Post-Processing Techniques

Coating Process

Building complexes utilize color-separated spray masking technology

Terrain is colored with airbrush gradient techniques

Rust effects are achieved using salt etching techniques

Dynamic Systems

Traffic flow: Magnetic levitation track system

Lighting: DMX512 intelligent control

Fog effects: Ultrasonic fogging devices