This project was co-produced by
UNLIMITED DESIGN, LTD. and PROPOLOGY.
Due to logistics, and time constraints, design and construction activities were shared by both companies at the request of the
ARROW Prop Department.
UNLIMITED DESIGN, LTD. and PROPOLOGY.
Due to logistics, and time constraints, design and construction activities were shared by both companies at the request of the
ARROW Prop Department.
The "processor" detailed by PROPOLGY, prior to completion by
UNLIMITED DESIGN, LTD
UNLIMITED DESIGN, LTD
Background
The elements that PROPOLOGY contributed to this project
(as depicted above, x2 units):
--- Attachment of IDE hard drive connectors (x2 pair).
--- Male to male IDE ribbon cables (x2 pair).
--- Metallic/iridescent cut-vinyl detailing.
--- Design, manufacture, and installation of simulated silicone wafers
(as depicted above, x2 units):
--- Attachment of IDE hard drive connectors (x2 pair).
--- Male to male IDE ribbon cables (x2 pair).
--- Metallic/iridescent cut-vinyl detailing.
--- Design, manufacture, and installation of simulated silicone wafers
| | (2- versions, 2- each). |
Design Reference
The design of the processor silicone chip was based upon a reference image provided by the ARROW Prop Department.
It depicted a real, experimental, quantum computer processor.
It is, in reality... quite tiny. In fact, the thin gold wires in evidence are
much thinner than a human hair!
It depicted a real, experimental, quantum computer processor.
It is, in reality... quite tiny. In fact, the thin gold wires in evidence are
much thinner than a human hair!
Design Reference
Design Process
It was decided that the ARROW version would be substantially scaled-up for dramatic and practical reasons. The lager size made it seem more impressive, and was far more "camera-friendly". The main challenge for PROPOLOGY was to provide a silicone wafer component that was evocative of the real thing, while integrating convincingly into the unit that had already been fabricated.
In addition, a second, similar design was required, that would depict a
so-called "reverse-engineered" version. Shown below, are the approved processor designs.
In addition, a second, similar design was required, that would depict a
so-called "reverse-engineered" version. Shown below, are the approved processor designs.
 "Original Version" |  "Reverse Engineered" Version |
Construction Process
The multicolor circuit elements were rendered via gold and black foil transfers, onto self-adhesive vinyl. This method rendered the gold "circuit-traces" in a color and lustre, similar to that of the (painted) main body.
The "original version" required some ingenuity to produce. The color foil transfer process normally used self-adhesive vinyl stock in perf-edge rolls.
To achieve the desired look for the chip substrate, an automotive type
self-adhesive vinyl was chosen, that unfortunately, was not available in
perf-edge rolls. This meant that this vinyl had to be carefully transferred to perf-edged release paper. Once accomplished however, the transfer process proceeded with little difficulty. The extra effort incurred to utilize the specialty vinyl was worth it, as it had a dynamic, color changing quality,
evocative of real silicone wafer substrate.
The "original version" required some ingenuity to produce. The color foil transfer process normally used self-adhesive vinyl stock in perf-edge rolls.
To achieve the desired look for the chip substrate, an automotive type
self-adhesive vinyl was chosen, that unfortunately, was not available in
perf-edge rolls. This meant that this vinyl had to be carefully transferred to perf-edged release paper. Once accomplished however, the transfer process proceeded with little difficulty. The extra effort incurred to utilize the specialty vinyl was worth it, as it had a dynamic, color changing quality,
evocative of real silicone wafer substrate.
Prismatic, cut-vinyl detailing was also added to the main body, to add some eye-catching highlights. In addition, IDE hard drive connectors were fastened at either end. These connectors were required to accommodate on-screen action, showing the processor being connected to another device.
Once detailing was completed, the processors were sent back to
UNLIMITED DESIGN, LTD, for final assembly.
PROPOLOGY is often asked to contribute to multi-vendor projects,
and welcomes the collaboration.
UNLIMITED DESIGN, LTD, for final assembly.
PROPOLOGY is often asked to contribute to multi-vendor projects,
and welcomes the collaboration.
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