Custom Designs/ Bespoke Inflatables
Better Bounce Direct are well known in the industry for our technical design knowledge and ability to custom design bespoke inflatables using some of the most advanced technology in the world.
Each individual product begins life as a simple drawing or model provided by the client or sketch made by one of our designers. We then sketch up a design to ensure we're all thinking along the same lines. Once this is agreed we move forward to the schematics stage.
At this point, one of our designers will do a technical drawing of the product using design software to give a visual representation similar to building plans provided by an architect. This will give the client a clear representation of what of what the product will look like in terms of scale and proportion and will give us a clear indication of size, weight, artwork requirements and allow us to give an accurate quotation for the project to move forward.
Once we've tweaked the drawings to suit your needs will finalise a quotation for you and either we agree to move forward or decide that the project isn't feasible. Up until this stage, the design work won't have cost you a penny so don't worry, Although some very detailed projects may attract a design fee depending on the level of work involved.
Hopefully, by this point, we should have agreed to move forward with the project. A deposit is paid and the price we agreed on will remain the same regardless of the true cost so we guarantee not to inflate our prices and carry the cost of any unforeseen problems.
Below is a list of case studies compiled from some of my favourite custom projects/ builds from over the past few years. Hopefully, this will give you an insight into what to expect and how our custom project works.
Please bear in mind that we do not have an in-house illustration designer and as such we may have to outsource designs and liase direct between ourselves.
I hope you like viewing them as much as we did manufacturing them : )
Please be aware that all custom designs are subject to our standard Terms & conditions which can be found by clicker here; https://www.better-bounce.co.uk/pages/terms-and-conditions#BodyContent
Case Study 1 - The Princess Carriage: The Princess Carriage is one of my personal favourites and I had great pleasure in designing it. The design took nearly 2 weeks to perfect but it was well worth the wait. The design was undertaken for http://www.fun-bounce.co.uk.
The brief set by the client was a simple scribble on a piece of A4 paper, The drawing looked like a 5-year-old had done it. In fact, the client later admitted that she had help from her 4-year-old (unless that was a cover up for the poor drawing) but it just goes to show what our designers can do with a little inspiration and imagination..jpg)
Once we'd seen the concept drawings we had a look on Google with the client for a bit of inspiration and it was decided that the custom-made bouncy castle was to resemble the real-life princess carriage idea as this seemed to be a popular theme for many different children's applications.
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The coded CNC files are now sent to our automatic cutting machine where the individual components are cut and labelled and stacked out in piles by the operator ready for sewing. The parts are labelled and shelved ready for construction at a later date.
The next stage in the process is to set about designing the artwork. This can either be done by one of our conventional artists or or digital artists depending on your own style. In this case we have made one of each so both artwork types are displayed below. As you can see, all our artwork is up there with some of the best manufacturers in the world..jpg)
Once all artwork has been completed the artwork panels are piled together with the parts we cut earlier and construction begins. The inflatable is sewn together using a top of the range twin needle, walking foot industrial sewing machine on an inline rail track to ensure the straightest possible lines are achieved and no weak points are left behind.Once the design model was complete, we again stripped the model down into parts and stacked them according to colour. We then stacked the parts on our virtual material to achieve maximum efficiency. once we were happy with the idea we sent the files over to our CNC cutting machine for the parts to be automatically cut out to within a 100th of a mm.Once we were happy with the concept and knew from the visual sketches what we wished the finished product to look like, we imported the sketches into our technical design software and began to design the product. The design took approximately 6 days to ensure everything was correct and the way we intended it to be.
The build time on this particular unit took over 60hrs but I'm sure you'll agree was well worth the wait..jpg)
Once the inflatable is designed and the construction is complete, the inflatable is inflated and undergoes our strict testing procedure to ensure that it complies with EN:14960 and that it is fit for European and UK sale. During this procedure the following tests and checks are performed:
- The measuring of Trough depths for visual supervision
- Seam strength security test ensures the inflatable can carry a minimum load of 160kn
- Stitching measurement & testing to ensure its safety between 3mm & 8mm
- Anchor point vs wind loading calculations test to ensure there is a sufficient number in place
- Secondary anchor strength test to ensure they can exceed a newton load of 160kn or more
- Anchor accessories test (peg specification, safety & conformity test)
- Wall & tower height measurement check to ensure max user height calculations are correct
- Blower tube marking & length test for maximum safety
- Zip installation and functionality safety test to ensure accidental inflation does not occur
- Fabric flame retardancy test & or certificate compliance check to ensure the unit is FR
- Fabric strength test & or certificate compliance check to ensure it meets EU standards
- Step & ramp size & maximum fall height compliance check to ensure it meets EU standards
- Weight-based grounding test to ensure satisfactory pressure in vulnerable chambers test
- Visual and touch for sharp corners & or instruments test for general user safety
- General stability test (height vs width & depth ratio) to ensure the unit is safe and stable
- Rope test (If ropes are incorporated in the inflatable) to ensure they are not worn or dangerous
- Artwork compliance test to ensure fragments cannot lead to choking.
- Air loss points tested to ensure no defects and that they are able to maintain pressure
- Water Gauge pressure check to ensure inflatable is inflated correct and has safe pressure
- Maximum fall height measurement test to ensure the inflatable is not dangerously height
- Thread/ Cotton inspection test to check for rotting or wear and tear
- Netting measurement test to ensure the hole size is not a danger to small children's fingers
- Entrapment test to ensure there are no areas or toys where a child may become trapped
- Evacuation/ Deflation test to ensure the unit can maintain good pressure without a fan running
- Window test to ensure materials conform to EN14960 & that no cracks/ breaks are present
- Visible markings test to ensure all height/ user information and other key areas are identified
- Manufacturers identification tag & serial number check
The inflatable is now ready for the client to collect & inflate..jpg)
Due to the popularity of the design, The princess carriage was adopted by us at Betterbounce and although relatively new to us it has generated a lot of interest in the market and is taking a huge number of bookings for the client.
In this case study, there was a £500 design fee to the customer but 50% of this fee was paid for by us as we decided to endorse the product and agreed that the design would be of mutual benefit to both client and ourselves.
If you have a product or idea you like yourselves, please feel free to get in touch and We'll be happy to give you a free no obligation quotation.
CLICK HERE to view the detailed specification & purchase information relating to The Princess Carriage.
ARTWORK: Betterbounce is now pleased to offer a full digital print service for our inflatables if required. To take a look at the artwork we offer please visit our artwork section or CLICK HERE to be redirected. Please read the item description carefully to check if artwork is included with this particular product. Please remember that all artwork must have copyright permission from the owner in order for us to process the files. Copyright will NOT be obtained on your behalf & copyright must be adhered to by the client & signed for at the time of order.
Betterbounce will not be held responsible for any unauthorised use of artwork. We merely offer a printing service like any other printers.
Please be aware that all custom designs are subject to our standard Terms & conditions which can be found by clicker here; https://www.better-bounce.co.uk/pages/terms-and-conditions#BodyContent
Case Study 2 - Alfie the Alien: The Alfie the Alien concept was presented to us by a regular customer who had recently returned from a trip abroad. During his trip, he went out to dinner one night with his wife & children and took a liking to the plastic holder that the children's ice cream was presented in.
Oh, his return he brought the ice cream holder (pictured below) in for one of our designers to see what he thought. well he loved the idea so we set to work sketching out the designs for what was to become Alfie The alien.
Once we were happy with the concept and knew from the visual sketches what we wished the finished product to look like, we imported the sketches into our technical design software and began to design the product. design took approximately 6 days to ensure everything was correct and the way we intended it to be.
Once the design model was complete, we stripped the model down into parts and stacked them according to colour. We then stacked the parts on our virtual material to achieve maximum efficiency. once we were happy with the idea we sent the files over to our CNC cutting machine for the parts to be automatically cut out to within a 100th of a mm.
By now, the parts have been cut, labelled and stacked in the correct order for assembly by the machine operator. As there are no panels requiring artwork on Alfie the alien, the parts are sent to the assembly line for immediate construction by our experienced machinists. With the help of a few diagrams and a few hints and tips, Alfie was born and ready to inflate 4 days later.
Due to the popularity of the design, Alfie was adopted by us at Betterbounce and is one of our most popular novelty moonwalk designs to date.
In this particular case study, there was no design fee to the customer as we decided to endorse the product and agreed that the design would be of mutual benefit to both client and ourselves. If you have a product or idea you like yourselves, please feel free to get in touch and We'll be happy to give you a free no obligation quotation.
CLICK HERE to view the detailed specification & purchase information relating to Alfie
Please note: That we are only able to commission artwork on our inflatables if full copyright is obtained by the owner. Betterbounce is now pleased to offer a full digital print service for our inflatables if required. To take a look at the artwork we offer please visit our artwork section or CLICK HERE to be redirected.
Please read the item description carefully to check if artwork is included with this particular product. Please remember that all artwork must have copyright permission from the owner in order for us to process the files. Copyright WILL NOT be obtained on your behalf & copyright must be adhered to by the client at all times.
Betterbounce will not be held responsible for any unauthorised use of artwork. We merely offer a printing service like any other printers. For guidance on this please call us or research online.
Please be aware that all custom designs are subject to our standard Terms & conditions which can be found by clicker here; https://www.better-bounce.co.uk/pages/terms-and-conditions#BodyContent
Well, that's all for now folks. I hope you like viewing them as much as we did manufacturing them and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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