Years ago, Kreysler transformed a small 3D sculpture of a standing bear from conceptual artist Lawrence Argent into a massive 40-foot-high work of art carrying the title, "I See What You Mean."
As Argent up-scaled the design model and Kreysler prepared for fabrication, both made extensive use of software including NewTek Inc. Lightwave animation and Robert McNeel & Associates' Rhino 3D modeler programs.
Kreysler machined molds for the bear directly from computer-aided-design files. Production materials included a gel coat primer, plies of chopped strand mat, polyester, silica-aggregate-flecked polymer concrete and a final clear urethane coating. An internal steel framework provides structural support.
Kreysler supervised the complex 2005 installation of six sections of the statue at the expanded Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The entire project cost about $425,000.
Kreysler liked the blue bear and secured permission to create his own 10-foot-high replica of the Denver statue. Now, the quarter-size version peers into Kreysler's office window.
Kreysler & Associates employs 30 and, on a 5-acre site, operates in a facility of 28,000 square feet plus outdoor tented areas for sandblasting and storage.
Olympic sailor Caleb Paine started at the firm in March 2017 in the digital fabrication department. He programs and operates a four-axis computer numerical control hot wire machine for cutting foam.
Paine, 25, of San Diego, won a bronze medal for the U.S. in the men's heavyweight dinghy Finn class at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and he has ambitions to represent the U.S. at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Kreysler helped support Paine's sailing development program in advance of the 2016 games.