Big Stage for Small Heroes

Action figurines are desirable collectors’ items and rare pieces sell for large amounts of money, so it would be a shame for them to gather dust. ACRYLITE® display cases are the perfect way to present them.

These miniature heroes appear to be floating on top of a white beam of light, almost as if they just returned from a successful mission. In reality, the real hero to be acknowledged is the protecting power of ACRYLITE® premium and ACRYLITE® satinice acrylic sheet making up this stunning display case in which these figurines are encapsulated in.

So much for “kids’ toys”

The innovative display case was designed and built by master carpenter Mathias Knuhr, who is head of operations at the Schreinerei Luther carpenter’s workshop in Darmstadt, Germany. A friend of his had completed a set of figurines and was looking for a way to show them off. After this initial prototype, a whole range of custom-designed cabinets followed. “I collect action figurines myself, so I know what’s important,” says Knuhr.

A whole industry has been built around action figures, from grading agencies which determine the age, rarity and value of the figurines, to traders and restorers who give older figures a fresh lease of life. At auction, rare figurines can fetch up to a quarter of a million dollars. “These sums are comparable to those found on the art market,” says Knuhr. “This scene demands high-quality displays to present the figures and retain their value.”

A photo of Knuhr’s first display case went viral amongst collectors on Facebook. That was in 2014. Over the subsequent years, the carpenter’s workshop in Darmstadt received orders from all over the world. “The furthest we dispatched a case was to Hollywood Hills,” says the master carpenter proudly. Three cases have been sent to the London area, one is in New York, with others still in Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy.

Knuhr initially manufactured the display cases using glass, or a combination of laminated safety glass and ACRYLITE®. He has since fully switched over to the brand acrylic glass from Roehm America LLC as the material has many benefits for both the processor and the collector, as well as being the source of many new design inspirations.

It can be processed in a similar manner to wood, is more transparent than glass, and does not break light or cause optical distortions. Moreover, ACRYLITE® is UV-resistant and can be used to create diverse lighting effects. It is not only far less likely to shatter than glass, but is also only half as heavy – two significant benefits when it comes to handling and transportation. The lower weight also helps save costs during transportation, as every pound counts in air freight.

This material not only remains absolutely transparent even over long periods of time, but also protects the figurines inside the display case by filtering out a significant amount of UV light. “The collectors’ items keep their original color, which is an important factor for the retention of value,” explains Knuhr. “Advantages like this make it easy to move away from wood and glass and switch to ACRYLITE®. No other material has these properties,” explains the master carpenter.

Cosmic black and white fog

Different types of ACRYLITE® are used for the various components of this display case. The rear wall is formed from a panel of ACRYLITE® Satinice, which is coated in a layer of matte black Extreme Resist varnish. A CNC milling machine can be used to create striking design elements such as light strips, patterns, logos, or writing. The rear wall also conceals technical materials, such as the transformers and control electronics used for the lighting. The illuminated shelves are made from ACRYLITE® Satinice and are installed above a rail housing LED lamps. The material properties of ACRYLITE® Satinice create a diffused light effect which makes the figurines appear as if they are floating.

While the lighting effects present the figures in an exciting manner, the cabinet’s real x-factor is hardly noticeable – namely high-quality design which does not steal the show from what is being displayed. Furthermore, the transparent ACRYLITE® premium hood provides almost invisible protection, shielding the figurines from UV light and dust – as well as stopping unwanted access to them.

Attention-grabber and talking point

This combination of design and protection has struck a chord within the collector community: “Wow … double wow … that would have to be the best display ever,” wrote one collector from the USA. A company from High Wycombe near London is cleverly using this “wow” effect for communication purposes: The display cabinet made from ACRYLITE® is installed in a meeting room and is not only attracting attention, but remains a fantastic ice-breaker. Customers take selfies in front of the action heroes and immediately have something to talk about.

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ACRYLITE® Satinice velvet texture cast DP9

ACRYLITE® Premium FF


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