How much does it costs?

[Nuioo]

Hi!There!

Can someone please answer me a question that has been bogling me for a long time...!


...How much does the molds of a model kit cost?


Like that in the link :


[url]http://www.trumpeter-china.com/a/en/product/armor/1_35_Serie s/2011/0831/1979.html[/url]


The models usually consist of 4-5 main sprues and in one piece lower upper hull and turret


The modern models have superb detail perfect hexagonal bolts even less than 1mm in diameter ,


from what I know they use sliding molds for 2-3 main parts such as hull, turret ( so no missalignment problems occure during the asembly)


Also I read at wiki that they use CNC EDM machine to make the molds...


Thank you!


I am looking forward for your replies!

 

[faisalmk]

Dear Nuioo
I saw the picture of the tank in the website you wrote.
If I were asked to make a mold to produce such a game, I
would make one mold with family parts( i.e. can produce 2
or more different parts in single cycle).
However, producing such mold requires a good experience
in mold design runner balance, cooling system and the
like.
Anyhow producing the core and cavities will require a CNC
as well as EDM technology, which can cost about 5000$,
depending on the material, Is it steel, aluminum...?
And also the mold base it self can cost up to 10000$.
But if you are smart enough you can produce it by your
self, which can cost you 12000$.
All you have to do is:
(1) Model the parts using Pro/E.
(2) Create the core and cavity using Pro/E--
manufacturing--Mold.
(3) Produce the CNC code using G-code generation, Pro/E
has this capability.
Sorry for that long answer.

 

[Nuioo]

Thanks for the answer faisalmk!


(If I were asked to make a mold to produce such a game, I
would make one mold with family parts) I would like to know what do youmean by this ?


(That you would use the same base for diferent molds?)


So form what I am reading onlythe molds for a kit may cost more than 30.000$ with out even including the mold's base...

I would like to study more on this subject can youplease propose me books or tutorials regarding this particular subject about injection molding polystyrene model kits.

 

[faisalmk]

First family mold is the mold that is able to produce two
or more parts with different geometries_ within the same
core and cavity_. As you can see from the picture the
tank is composed of different parts and the production of
each part using single mold will require manufacturing
more than 3 molds at least, which is infeasible. So 1
mold instead of 3 molds would be much better. Through my
experience in plastic factory in Jordan I saw a European
company that made us 1 mold to produce a lorry toy which
has 4 parts.
Secondly, yes I would use the same mold base as I have
explained it is 1 mold.
About the cost this depends on your raw materials
suppliers.
Finally there are many tutorials and books teaching you
how to design and manufacture a mold, as for me I think
that " The Mould Design Guide. Peter Jones. 2008,
Smithers Rapra Technology Limited." is the best as a
first step.
Hope that helps.