Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry
Asten, The Netherlands
Chime Master's affiliation with the bell foundry of Royal Eijsbouts (Dutch: Koninklijke Eijsbouts) means we can supply you with a single bell, a peal of swinging bells, a chime, or a carillon with electrical or traditional mechanical clavier playing action.
Eijsbouts has been in business for more than 135 years and has provided bells for prestigious installations all over the world. In 2006, Eijsbouts cast the world's largest swinging bell for a resort in Gotenba City, Japan. Weighing 79,750 pounds with a diameter of twelve and a half feet, it would qualify for the Guinness Book of World Records.
Research and Campanology
Eijsbouts physicists and campanologists have developed, in cooperation with the University of Eindhoven, proprietery software that accurately predicts the vibrational characteristics of bells based on their profile (the combination of their inner and outer shape) and material composition. The calculations show the frequency and amplitude of the dominant harmonic partials, as well as their decay characteristics.
The profiles and bronze alloy compositions of historic bells have been imported into this program for analysis. Improvements can be tested on the computer before test castings are made for verification purposes. These developments have lead to a number of standard bell profiles that ring with various timbral qualities.
The Hemony profile, named for the famous 16th century founders Francoise and Peter Hemony, provide a richly harmonic sound commonly heard in the Flemish region of Europe. Many listeners prefer the sound of the English profile modeled after the beautiful carillon bells cast by the 20th century founders Gillet and Johnston.
The Foundry
Bell making has not changed much since the twelfth century, although a modern foundry uses contemporary tools and materials. It can take several weeks to cast a bell from making the mold, to pouring the molten bronze, allowing sufficient time for cooling, cleaning and tuning.
Fine Tuning
Regardless of the technology used in the design of the bell, the musically trained human ear is the most valuable instrument utilized in the manufacture and tuning of the bells. Every Royal Eijsbouts bell we sell is a finely tuned musical instrument. So even if you purchase a single bell, you can be sure that bells added in the future will ring harmoniously together.
Decorated Bells
Casting bells with a lost-wax process is a time consuming process that makes every bell a unique individual. Ornamentation is first molded in wax, down to each letter, then painstakingly applied one by one to the wax false bell. You may submit custom artwork that will be machined into a mold to make a wax appliqué that will be used to cast your bell with designs that are meaningful to your organization.
Undecorated and Stock Bells
In cases when you need a bell fast, we may have a stock bell that will meet your requirements. These bells are also priced to be more affordable than custom decorated bells.
Architects and Engineers
If you are working on a bell, chime or carillon project, please call us early in the design process. We can help you integrate the visual and acoustic elements required for a successful design. You will also find valuable resources on the excellent GCNA website.
