Freeform

Entre-Prises range of panel systems now have their perfect compliment

A recent addition to the Entre-Prises climbing wall range is the Freeform system, manufactured in the UK. Features include:

• Unique 3D curved resin system which closely replicates the features and shapes of natural rock.
• Custom made by skilled craftsmen, any shape can be formed from overhanging bombés for the expert to gentle slabs for the novice.
• Complements the existing Entre-Prises range and can incorporate bolt-on holds and inset discs, tufas, pockets, cracks and flakes or merely small smear footholds for realistic competition routes.
• Made from an individually sculptured concrete resin on a flame retardant fibreglass base.
• Designed, manufactured and tested to prEN12572, AFNOR P90 300 and P90 301 and DIN 4112 standards.
• Exclusively designed by Ian Dunn, who has created over 150 climbing walls in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.
• More information on the system including design and costing is available from Ian Dunn at Entre-Prises (UK) Ltd.

The Freeform System

Freeform climbing walls are unique, handmade structures designed specifically to meet client specifications and requirements. Freeform climbing walls perfectly recreate the intricate features, shapes and complexities of natural rock. 

Freeform is handmade to order by a team of highly skilled craftsmen, using the latest state-of-the-art materials and technology. walls are made with a new polyester resin and fibreglass process. The steel frame for these walls is constructed using a modified version of the Imprint bar system. All belay points are attached directly to the end of the support structure steelwork, thus transferring the loads back to the main frame.

Between the posts of the support structure a new high strength polymer, woven mesh will be fixed, that will be shaped and formed to create the basic shape of the climbing surface. To this a structural layer of expanding, fibre reinforced polyester resin is applied, in layers, to build up approximately 10mm to 15mm of wall.

For competition surfaces and 'budget' walls this resin fibre layer can be directly carved and fluted to make small indentations and climbing features. On walls with many features such as pockets, flakes, calcite flows etc, the climbers set to work using a specially modified epoxy resin mixture. The features are moulded by hand to create the most realistic climbing surfaces on the market. A high friction resin/sand mixture is then applied to the surface to enhance the texture and to provide a polish resistant finish.

The wall is cut into panels using a special diamond tipped saw, before transportation to site and is reconstructed exactly as it was in the workshop, thus ensuring the fit and gap between panels is always perfect. The sides and tops of the shapes are filled in and any belay points / grab bars are attached. The wall is then ready for painting. The paint work brings the wall to life, adding realism, dimension and aesthetic beauty. The final job is to fix the bolt on holds and create 2 or 3 graded climbs on each climbing line.