Today I assembled all of the components of the star using dychlo to fix them in place on a styrene base for strength. To compensate for the minor shrinkage in the points of the star I evenly spaced the points around the cener ring. Speaking to Graham, he agreed that if any silicon used to create the mould found its way into the gaps they would be so thin that the could easily be cut from the mould using a scalpal. Graham signed off the mould casing (see below). It would have to be fibre glassed over to prevent the mould from warping.

I will keep the amount of silicon used in the mould to a minium, going no more than 10mm about the top of the master sculpt (hence the need for fibre glass layout on top of the silicon). The photo below shows an approx line to which I will pour the silicon level to.

Unfortunatly I didnt have time to pour the silicon today but I will do it first thing tomorrow so it can cure asap. Once poured I can turn to reseach for the remainder of tomorrow which I feel I am neglecting.

I made contact with a badge manufacturing company (http://www.badges.org.uk/about.html) about asking some questions regarding the process they go through to manufacture badges which I will reply to later. An insight into their methods of practice would be of interest and obvious relevance to this subject matter.