OUR WORK
Great products start here. Empire Group provides prototyping, displays, custom models, and low-volume production capabilities for customers with innovative new product ideas. We serve industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and consumer goods with full-service manufacturing options. Our engineering and design experts can help you refine and develop product designs, create iterative prototypes, develop scaled or interactive models for tradeshows, and move your product across the finish line so it’s ready to launch.
Here, you can explore some of our past projects and learn how we develop unique technical models and prototypes to bring your idea to life.
Our Process: How We Build High-Quality Trade Show Models
Empire Group has decades of experience helping companies develop their landmark products or add new and exciting products to their offerings. We make it easy to develop fully functional prototypes for tradeshows and testing cycles, then transition to low-volume production for the market. Below, you’ll see how we serve these markets:
Aerospace & Defense
Automotive & Transportation
Consumer Products & Branding
Technology & Software
Industrial
Plumbing
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE
- UAV Scale Models
Aerospace & Defense
UAV Scale ModelsWe can develop functional scale models of underwater vehicles for testing and international exhibitions with 3D printing and comprehensive finishing services. Options include, but are not limited to:
- 3D-Printed Components
- Automotive-Grade Paint
- Laser Etching for Nameplates
- Unique Defense Vehicle System
Aerospace & Defense
Unique Defense Vehicle SystemWe have developed models for new modular defense vehicle systems. These highlight the versatility and flexible design of the vehicle.
- Drone Surveillance Pods
Aerospace & Defense
Drone Surveillance PodsExplore the future of advanced surveillance technologies. These drones have cutting-edge gimbal features that provide better stability for smoother and more accurate footage in defense missions.
- Modern Helicopter Frame
Aerospace & Defense
Modern Helicopter FrameModern hardware integrates with software for nearly real-time interactions between digital and mechanical systems. We developed a model of a software/mechanics-integrated helicopter frame.
- Gimbal Imaging System (Collins Aerospace)
Aerospace & Defense
Gimbal Imaging System (Collins Aerospace)We created a fully functional complex gimbal solution for Collins Aerospace. The client used it as a tradeshow model to demonstrate new aerial imaging and scanning technology capabilities.
AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORTATION
- Toyota Scale Model Robot
Automotive & Transportation
Toyota Scale Model RobotWe produced a scale commemorative model of Today’s Punyo robot. Toyota Research Institute partnered with Empire Group to develop a fully functional model with articulated arms and detailed design features. For this project, we used in-house 3D printing, laser cutting, and custom finishing capabilities.
- Informative EV Trade Show Display Model
Automotive & Transportation
Unique Defense Vehicle SystemREACH Strategies hired us to produce a model for the St. Louis Auto Show in 2024. We created an interactive EV model that had a clear body to display the EV electronics and engine as an educational tool.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS & BRANDING
- Bowling Pin Trophy
Consumer Products & Branding
Bowling Pin TrophyWe created a unique, complex bowling pin to commemorate a machinist’s retirement. The pin was a multi-team project, featuring:
- Turned aluminum and brass components
- CNC-machined parts
- Metal integrated into a mahogany base
- Personalization
- Baseball Bat Sweet Spot Analyzer
Consumer Products & Branding
Baseball Bat Sweet Spot AnalyzerFor this project, we refined the internal and external elements of a proof-of-concept phase design to streamline production and make it more manufacturable. The result was a more efficient and easier-to-produce "Bat Magic" Sweet Spot analyzer.
- Influencer Kit (Food/Beverage Industry)
Consumer Products & Branding
Influencer Kit (Food/Beverage Industry)Our team created a comprehensive influencer kit for a branding project in the food and beverage industry, featuring custom branded goods and tools for tradeshows, exhibitions, and booths.
Industrial
Agricultural DroneWe developed a functional drone model for agricultural applications. It helped launch a new technology platform for specialized agricultural monitoring and video footage applications.
MEDICAL
- BioStore Cryogenic Storage
Medical
BioStore Cryogenic StorageRedfish selected Empire Group to fabricate a model of their BioStore Cryogenic Automated Sample Storage System to use at trade shows. We produced a detailed and interactive model featuring:
- Hand-cut polyurethane foam elements
- CNC-machined components
- Casters and lighting
- Interactive display screen
- Large-Scale Model Dental Implants
Medical
Large-Scale Model Dental ImplantsACE Surgical Supply wanted large-scale models of Infinity dental implant systems for their trade shows. Empire Group created 3D-printed and custom-painted, highly detailed, oversized models mounted on display stands to showcase implant features.
- Pediatric Heart Valve Display (Draper Museum Piece)
Medical
Pediatric Heart Valve Display (Draper Museum Piece)This museum showpiece is a 3D-printed model of Draper's Low-Force Expanding/Adaptable Pediatric (LEAP) Valve. This product is an innovative heart valve capable of growing with the child after it is implanted. Our model demonstrated the details of Draper's biomedical engineering work.
Plumbing
Interactive Plumbing DisplayQuickFitting hired Empire Group to create 400 interactive demonstration models for conventions and hardware store displays. Each model highlights Quick Fitting’s plumbing components by comparing their fast pipe joining system to traditional options.
Technology & Software
Mechanical Drive SystemThis mechanical drive demonstrates how software can integrate seamlessly with mechanical parts, showcasing our client’s unique software capabilities.
Let’s Build Your Idea! Contact Us for Premium Manufacturing Solutions
Ready to take your idea from concept to creation? Empire Group has over 20 years of experience supporting the development of unique goods for consumer, commercial, and industrial markets. Our experts are here to help your organization bring new, innovative products to market.
As part of our end-to-end, low-volume manufacturing solutions, we provide prototyping, 3D printing, CNC machining, rapid injection molding, finishing, and stringent quality control. We also maintain ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certifications and ITAR registration. Contact us today to access full-service manufacturing for your next project, or schedule a free consultation to get started.