Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[Bidoofdude]

Cool. Thanks guys. I'll get to it now.
Thanks!

[DELTAprime]

I had a sleepless night last night and I used that extra time awake to wonder about the molds that are used to make toys.

I have a basic idea how the process worked in the 80's. Make a prototype, cast it, make a final proof, cast it and then make the final toys. I'm wonder in the creation of the molds are Hasbro and Takara using modern manufacturing techniques like CAD and CNC to make the molds or are they still using the techniques that where used to make G1 toys?

I'm wonder about it because I figure if they have the program to make a mold saved on a computer then if the mold starts to ware out or is broken it would be easy to make a replacement (assuming it a mold like the classics seeker that they can still sell a boat-load of to make their money back).

[Iriorne]

I think they would almost certainly be using CAD in the design stages and probably 3D printing for prototypes. The quick turnaround times and relatively low cost would make these pretty attractive. CAD would be useful for optimising your parts sprues too.

Wikipedia says injection moulding dies are produced through CNC machining or electrical discharge machining. While not toy specific, I don't see why toy moulds wouldn't be made in the same manner - probably faster, cheaper and more consistent than other methods.

Replacing a mould designed this way would probably be fairly easy to do, though the cost of replacing them in the quantities required for large scale runs would still be quite high.

[jazzcomp]

for the MISB collectors, how do you know that everything's inside and if there are missing parts or QC issues? This is for boxed toys like Encore Fort Max, MP Lambor and the like.

I ask because I just want to check the contents of the box and I do want to keep it MISB

[gamblor916]

Well if a tree falls in the forest, and nobody hears it, does it make a sound?

[jazzcomp]

Do you truly want me to answer that?

[Iriorne]

Doesn't matter as long as you have a "no returns" policy if/when you sell it.

[DarkHyren]

for the MISB collectors, how do you know that everything's inside and if there are missing parts or QC issues? This is for boxed toys like Encore Fort Max, MP Lambor and the like.

I ask because I just want to check the contents of the box and I do want to keep it MISB

Honestly, for blind boxed toys like those there really is no way that a MISBer can check for issues.
It's either keep it MISB and pray that Primus has blessed you with a perfect specimen or open it up and check.
I faced that same dilemma with my Fort Max, but in the end just bit the bullet and opened the box, mine was doubled taped anyway so it had already been opened from MISB quality anyway, so what's one more quality check between friends lol

[jazzcomp]

What do you mean by double taped? re-taped over? why?

I guess the only reason why I want to check is because it's expensive and bought online/overseas and the limit of until when the supplier can replace or refund defective stuff.

[DarkHyren]

From what I understand some Maxi's were rechecked at the factory for quality purposes.
See Griffins post here for more info- http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpo...4&postcount=39
Considering the extra checking it's a little troubling that some people still have issues.

On a related note, can anyone suggest some fixes I can make to rectify the below "issues" that my Maxi has?
- Cannon on left leg is loose and is prone to popping out easily.
- Right hip cannon seems a bit floppy and doesn't click into place in attack mode.
- Legs of the main body are tight and need a fair bit of pressure to turn/rotate.