Fosshape and Wonderflex at Solarbotics

Solar botics
July 12, 2016

With our recent experiences with the costuming and cosplay communities, we've learned a lot about new materials that cosplayers use for making masks, props and armour. That added a few new words to our vocabulary and awesome new items to our inventory.

First, Fosshape. It is a felt-like polyester fabric that can be stretched and formed over a mold with heat (ideally a steamer). It collapses in thickness and sticks well to itself, forming a firm but pliable surface. It comes in two thicknesses, 300 and 600 which is double the weight. Easy to cut and paint, does not fray.

Fosshape 600 is a heavier, thicker and denser version of the 300, better for more rigorous and structurally intensive pieces of work. Takes dye quite well, mildew resistant.

Wonderflex is another heat-activated material that has a texture of 1mm thick lightweight plastic rather than fabric. It is pliable and sticks to itself while heated and becomes tough but flexible after cooling down. It is very popular in making prop armour and other rigid costume pieces.

Here are some samples of what Fosshape is capable of. It cuts well with scissors and Xacto knife, and can be formed around various objects and hold that form after cooling down.

59050-IMG_0110

It can be painted and formed into relatively simple...

59050-IMG_0114

... or quite complex shapes:

59050-IMG_0118 

MORE POSTS

September 17, 2014
Wednesday Links: the Abovemarine, Traffi...

Sun, yellow leaves and a new harvest of links from this morning: The Abovemarine The representatives of the alien underwater civilization are now able to navigate land and hang out with other creatures. (Via Creative Applications) 3D-Printed Dresses These are made straight outta mathematical formulas! (Via Beautiful Decay) The Dancing Traffic Light It's even cooler […]

February 25, 2002
2002 LANL Workshop in the works...

Word from up the pipe at the Los Alamos National Laboratories is that the 10th Annual BEAM workshop is slated to happen May 2-4, 2002 at the Betty Ehart Center in Los Alamos, New Mexico (same place as the 1999 workshop). Thanks to Joe Vigil (of LANL) who spearheaded the initiative after Paul Argo (the […]

November 17, 2011
Fireflies, Bundles, and Motors

Technically, winter starts with the Winter Solstice that occurs on December 21st. But we're pretty sure that whoever decided that is wrong, because it's starting to feel pretty darn cold out there. And to keep things warm, what do you need? Movement. And how do you make movement? Motors. So today we have range of […]

February 17, 2011
Closed Monday, February 21st

We all have family, in one form or another. Parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends, pets... In some cases, even a delapitated, 20 year-old Honda Civic lovingly referred to as Lou. It has rust in the rear quarter panels and the steering wheel squeeks when it gets cold, but things just wouldn't be the […]

1 25 26 27 28 29 253
Solarbotics Ltd Logo
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!

Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.

cart