Federation Commander

Itharus · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 6:21 pm Post subject:

More complicated than I assumed. Thanks for the education.

Sgt_G · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:40 pm Post subject:

We're always willing to teach those who are willing to learn. Wink

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Garth L. Getgen

Master Sgt, US Air Force, Retired -- 1981-2007 -- 1W091A

Dal Downing · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 10:03 pm Post subject:

As a injection molder guy I can tell you on paper resin is the way to go over metal but the quantities involve make metal the more attractive method. For all practical purposes.the mini business for ADB is prototyping.

A mold for a spin cast machine is probably about 100 bucks and can make like 4 minis a cast. That same mold could in theory be used in theory with liquid resin injection but you have to junk you defective product.

I am toying with the ideal of getting a 2 to 5 ton hobby injection molded for my garage. The problem is to get a set of aluminum molds made for it will run between 500 and 700 dollars per ship. So even if I make a buck a ship to pay of the mold it would take a 1000 units sold just to pay the mold off let alone operating, material or machine cost.

So the models it would reasonably have a chance with are Romulan Warbirds a Klingon D Hulls because I might be able to pull off a cloak version of these. Next would be a set of 1" Tournament Cruisers might get 4 of those per mold and 1" Base Markers set because maybe the F&E guys would dig them.
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-Dal

"Which one of you is the Biggest, Baddest, Bootlicker of the bunch?"
"I am."
"ARCHERS!!! THAT ONE!!!!"

djdood · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 12:03 am Post subject:

Keep in touch, Dal.

I'm working with a friend to see if we can use his micro NC rig to make me some small mold dies at billet cost (and beer). CAD models I got (or will have soon) and there were options for outfits that will injection mold (maybe your stuff can fulfill this). What was missing was mold dies at price our market will bear.

There's been buzz about cheap 3D printed molds that can survive injection molding heat and pressure. I'll believe it when I see it and still plan for machined aluminum.
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Steve Cole · Site Admin Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 3828

I happily defer to Will about 3d modelling and molding. I know the answer but he explains it better than I could. Yes, it's complex and expensive if you want commercial products.

Many many many years ago I collected "Roco Minitanks" and still have hundreds of them (Panthers, JS3s, Shermans, and lots more). Then there came the day that we could not buy them for love or money. Every dealer was out of stock and unable to get more.

Our constantly expanding armies of weekend wargaming tanks must grow! So I set out to cut up wooden blocks and with a combination of nails and wood and odd bits of hardware, I produced a reasonable example of a Panzer-3, Panzer-4, Panther, Tiger 1 and 2, and Maus. No one would pay me for them, but for my games they were fine.

What is acceptable to a desperate uber-uber-uber-gamer who makes it himself is not acceptable to a retail product chain with normal gamers who expect commercial quality at mass production prices.
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The Guy Who Designed Fed Commander