Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[rampagesss]

Just wondering how are transformers made? Are there a team of sculptors who have to sculpt every little part by hand, or are they done via some sort of CAD computer program and then cut out by machines?

I don’t know and have always wondered

[Hursticon]

Just wondering how are transformers made? Are there a team of sculptors who have to sculpt every little part by hand, or are they done via some sort of CAD computer program and then cut out by machines?

I don’t know and have always wondered

I seem to remember seeing a video somewhere, an interview maybe, where they showed the designers constructing 'virtual' parts and then producing via a laser-mold-cutter-thingy to produce prototypes of which are used to see what areas of the figure need altering or modifying of which they go and make the changes in the CAD program, produce the revised mold for further testing and once they're happy with the design they produce a casting mold of the final design for mass production.

I could be wrong though so don't hold me to this.

[GoktimusPrime]

Generally and basically speaking, it works like this:

+ Hasbro creates the concept, deciding on things like character, alt mode and draws up concept sketches.
+ Concepts are sent to TakaraTOMY who then engineer them into toys. Hasbro and TakaraTOMY communicate back and forth until Hasbro is satisfied with TakaraTOMY's designs, then approve it for production.

[Autocon]

recon ironhide - to buy or not to buy?

[heroic_decepticon]

Got a question for the guys who have been watching for Black Zaraks. What's the ball park figure for MIB Black Zaraks on eBay in the past months? I know I saw a few, but I didn't take too much note of its price.

[5FDP]

Got a question for the guys who have been watching for Black Zaraks. What's the ball park figure for MIB Black Zaraks on eBay in the past months? I know I saw a few, but I didn't take too much note of its price.

You're looking at about 2 grand HD. That's not taking into account if you buy one from Ebay with the Aussie $$$ the way it is.

[heroic_decepticon]

You're looking at about 2 grand HD. That's not taking into account if you buy one from Ebay with the Aussie $$$ the way it is.

yeah, the Aussie vs USD exchange rate is kind of crap lately. Do you mean USD$2000?

[GoktimusPrime]

Crap? I dunno... I think people have been a bit spoiled by the recent heights of the AUD. When you compare the sheer size/power of the US economy vs. the Australian economy, I'm personally happy whenever it's over 80USc (obviously the higher the better). On the plus side a decreasing AUD is good news for our exporters.

[griffin]

That is true - for those of us who were collecting/importing during the US50c era, these are still 'good times'. It's always annoying when it does a big plunge, especially just before a big purchase, but could easily be a lot worse.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, like 10 years ago -- and that was the year when Takara started doing their G1 reissues and Car Robot! Then a year later things got worse when the AUD hit an all-time low... and that was the year when we had more G1 reissues from Takara and Hasbro Australia didn't distribute Battle For The Spark (so that had to be imported too).



To make things worse, I bought the God Fire Convoy gift set even though I already had Super Fire Convoy and God Magnus, because I was promised a trade with someone in Canada for that set, plus a MISB MW Optimus Prime and box load of loose G1s for a loose-in-box complete Fortress Maximus. So getting that set cost me a pretty penny considering the crap exchange rate plus the fact I was still a student at the time -- I sent my package first to Canada and the other dude NEVER sent Fort Max to me. When I called his house his partner told me that he had ran out on her and the children and had taken Fort Max and all his possessions with him and left them in debt. *sigh*