From CAD to Quarry: Engineering an Exceptional Exhibition Stand

This skyscraper of an exhibition stand was constructed from a mixture of steel work and woodwork, encompassing two floors, a bespoke staircase and glass windows/doors, weighing approximately six tonnes and was engineered to safely support more than 20 tonnes of industrial gear units while maintaining a refined architectural appearance. Designed entirely in-house, the stand combined creative design with advanced CAD modelling to ensure every structural and graphical element worked seamlessly together before manufacture began. Every design decision balanced engineering practicality with visitor experience, ensuring the stand remained rock solid under the hordes of visitors, and portrayed a brand that is distinctively SEW-EURODRIVE.

The project incorporated 60m² of printed plywood flooring that would be the base of each of the two floors. The outside walls and flooring were constructed from metalwork and scaffolding sub-structure, cladded with painted timber. This timber was then cladded with black ACM (aluminium composite material) where holes were cut in using metal laser cutting to add to the industrial effect. The downstairs featured halo-lit plinths that supported the featured gears, alongside multiple TV screens that presented branded videos of SEW-EURODRIVE's portfolio and capabilities. Alongside there, were multiple red aluminium logos that were mounted to the walls of the exhibition stand. To create a distinction between the inside and outside spaces, astroturf was applied outside, accompanied by limestone gravel that surrounded the additional large-scale gears that were to be featured outside. Outside also included 2 5-metre branded flags, 16 custom-made powered painted barrels with soft-seat tops, and 4 barrel-shaped tables.

Material selection played a critical role in achieving both durability and visual impact.  Printed plywood flooring provided a robust finish capable of withstanding continuous visitor traffic while maintaining a premium appearance throughout the three-day event. Black ACM cladding transformed the structural framework into a clean architectural finish, with bespoke cut-outs introducing subtle graphic detailing directly into the construction. The stand was also designed for reuse at future Hillhead exhibitions, extending its operational life and reducing the need for complete rebuilds at subsequent events.

To make this exhibition stand a reality, we had to use every tool in our toolbox. The output was a result of skilled expertise, cutting-edge software, and advanced machining. To name a few we applied:
Creative design
CAD engineering
3D design
CNC machining
Laser cutting
Zünd digital cutting
swissQprint Nyala 4 flatbed printing
Joinery
Metalwork

Delivering a project of this scale required close collaboration between Imageco's designers, CAD specialists, joiners, metal fabricators, print technicians and installation teams.
Some of the key members on this project included:
Nathan Swinson-Bullough - Client liaison and project manager
David Shackleton - Client liaison and project manager
Matty Bullough - Technical drawing, design & CAD
Barnaby Ward - Installation and production management

This impressive project was delivered over a three-month production timescale before being installed on-site within the demanding conditions of a live quarry environment using cranes and lifting equipment. Despite the complexity of the build, every printed and fabricated element integrated seamlessly, creating a cohesive environment that showcased the technical expertise and collaborative approach behind the project. Building this stand was no small feat (literally), but through the expertise and dedication of our team we were able to navigate difficult terrain to deliver a stand that truly made SEW-EURODRIVE the torque of the town.