RS Clare 3D Animation Frac Valve Greasing Procedure
CASE STUDY: Visualizing Precision in 3D – RS Clare’s Frac Valve Greasing Procedure
Client: RS Clare & Co. Ltd.
Overview
When RS Clare approached IMMIX Productions with a critical need to communicate the intricacies of their Frac Valve Greasing Procedure visually, it wasn’t just about producing another animated video—it was about creating a technical simulation that could educate, inspire confidence, and stand up to the scrutiny of industry professionals.
We transformed a complex mechanical process into a compelling, accurate, and visually engaging 3D animation designed for prospective clients, partners, and investors in the energy and industrial sectors.
About the Client
RS Clare & Co. Ltd. is the oldest lubricant manufacturer in the United Kingdom, with a legacy that spans over 275 years. From their headquarters in Liverpool, they serve a global clientele across diverse industries, including Oil & Gas, Rail, Wire Rope, and Private Label Solutions.
Their mission is clear: to help clients operate more efficiently, sustainably, and profitably. RS Clare provides high-performance lubrication solutions engineered to reduce operational downtime, protect critical assets, and support environmental responsibility. But they go far beyond just product delivery—they form collaborative partnerships built on deep industry knowledge and customer-centric innovation.
“At RS Clare, our commitment is not just to performance—it’s to partnership.
We work “hand-in-hand” with our clients to develop solutions that truly make a difference.”
RS Clare Corporate Philosophy.
Learn more about RS Clare here!
Challenge
The Frac Valve Greasing Procedure is a highly technical and essential upstream oil and gas maintenance process. RS Clare needed to demonstrate visually:
- The consequences of improper valve greasing
- The benefits of correct filling techniques
- The behavior of their specialized lubricant under pressure
- Real-time interactions between grease, valve internals, and pressure gauges
The video had to deliver a clear, accurate, and visually compelling message suited for marketing, training, and client engagement while staying true to RS Clare’s brand and engineering standards.
IMMIX’s Creative Solution
IMMIX Productions proposed and executed a 3.5-minute hybrid 3D animation and motion graphics video, blending realism with visual clarity to bring RS Clare’s technical story to life.
Key Deliverables
Photorealistic 3D Modeling of Frac Valve Components
- Created detailed, high-resolution 3D models of RS Clare’s frac valve system, including the valve body, injection manifold, and pressure gauge. These models were optimized for animation while preserving engineering accuracy.
Simulated Lubricant Behavior Using Advanced R&D Techniques
- Developed a visually accurate simulation of RS Clare’s proprietary grease formulations, capturing key physical traits like viscosity, adhesion, and flow behavior under operational pressures.
Dynamic Visualization of Valve Cycling
- Demonstrated how the valve opens and closes during standard operation using animated motion cycles, aiding viewers in understanding internal component interactions.
Internal Cutaways and Transparency Effects
- Integrated specialized 3D cutaways and translucent surfaces to reveal the internal workings of the valve—allowing users to observe grease flow in correct and incorrect fill procedures.
Real-Time Pressure Gauge Response Simulation
- Accurately depicted fluctuations on the gauge during the filling process, highlighting key pressure cues that indicate proper or improper lubrication.
Correct vs. Incorrect Greasing Procedure Scenarios
- Illustrated side-by-side simulations to show the contrast between flawed and optimal greasing processes, helping viewers recognize failure points and performance benefits.
Branded Motion Graphics and Information Overlays
- Created clean, modern overlays with typographic callouts, safety indicators, and UI-style graphics that reflect RS Clare’s branding and reinforce the instructional value of the animation.
Sound Design and Audio Integration
- Added subtle industrial sound effects and a composed musical bed to support pacing and viewer engagement without distracting from the educational message.
Final Delivery in High Definition (1920×1080)
- Rendered and compressed for smooth playback across RS Clare’s marketing channels, including website, presentations, and local desktop use.
Production Approach
Client Discovery & Technical Deep-Dive
- Kicked off with a comprehensive review of RS Clare’s provided documentation ( HFL Fill Procedures ) and preliminary storyboards to ensure all technical objectives were accurately translated into visual content.
Collaborative Visual Development
- Aligned early visual concepts—including motion graphics style, animation tone, and camera framing—with RS Clare’s marketing materials to maintain brand consistency and industry relevance.
Custom 3D Modeling & Asset Optimization
- Created new 3D models for custom hardware while sourcing and modifying select stock elements where appropriate to save time and budget. Models were refined for clarity and realism in animation.
Simulation of Material Dynamics
- Conducted internal research and development to animate grease behavior realistically, factoring in realistic flow patterns, gravitational effects, pressure resistance, and adherence to surfaces inside the valve.
Scene Animation & Effects Integration
- Used cinematic camera movements, animated callouts, and timed transitions to guide the viewer through the process with clarity and engagement. Special effects like particle flow, lighting shifts, and interactive reveal enhanced realism.
EXR Rendering & Multi-Pass Compositing
- Rendered animation sequences using industry-standard EXR passes (lighting, shadows, reflections, etc.), allowing for precise post-production control over image quality and flexibility during compositing.
Color Grading & Finishing
- Applied professional color correction and grading techniques to ensure visual cohesion, enhancing readability and tonal clarity across all scenes.
Quality Control & Feedback Loops
- Established clear review stages with RS Clare for model approvals, visual style confirmation, and final animation sign-off, allowing for iterative refinement throughout the production timeline.
Dedicated Project Management
- A single IMMIX project manager oversaw timelines, scope, and communication, ensuring weekly status updates, rapid feedback turnaround, and full transparency between our creative team and RS Clare stakeholders.
Outcome & Impact
The final animation empowers RS Clare to:
- Demonstrate complex valve lubrication behavior
- Educate both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Highlight the superior performance of their greasing solution
- Enhance marketing materials and presentations with high-quality visuals
- Reduce training time and communication barriers in field operations
IMMIX Productions’ expertise in technical visualization helped RS Clare convey process clarity and reinforce their position as the leader in high-performance lubrication.
Looking Ahead
This project is a benchmark for how technical animations can transform industrial concepts into powerful communication tools. For IMMIX, it’s another example of how we merge creativity with engineering discipline and how strong client collaboration leads to meaningful storytelling in the B2B space.
Explore More Projects
Visit our project portfolio at IMMIX Productions, Inc.
You may like these related case studies:
Hyundai Animation: Hydrogen and Electric Refueling Station
Terrasun: Battery Energy Storage System Animation
Rockwell Automation: Carbon Capture and Storage
METRIX: Reciprocating Compressor Monitoring Animation
Allied Oil Industrial Services Animation
#3DAnimation #OilAndGasInnovation #TechnicalVisualization #EngineeringAnimation #FracValve #IndustrialSolutions #RSClare #LubricationSolutions #UpstreamOilAndGas #ValveMaintenance #GreaseSimulation #VisualEngineering #DigitalTwin #B2BMarketing #IndustrialMarketing #ProcessAnimation #SustainableOperations #EnergyTech #InteractiveMedia #AnimationForIndustry #ValveTechnology #OilandGasTraining #CleanTechSolutions #IMMIXProductions #VisualStorytelling
Production:
3D Modeling, 3D Animation, 2D & 3D Motion Graphics, Storyboards, Design