Where Diecast Robots Come From
What I learned at Tamashii Nation 2008: In the world of humans, when a daddy loves a mommy very much, he gives her a special gift, and nine months later she gives him a baby in return. Meanwhile, in Japan, when a licensor loves a licensee very much, they exchange contracts and blueprints and nine months later robots roll out of the factory. Like this.
Chogokin (diecast) robots start life as ingots of metal that are cast in molds. Here's some freshly cast parts.
Next, special dies are used to cast parts with fine detail out of PVC vinyl or styrene plastic, like heads.
The molded diecast parts are cleaned and polished.
Larger plastic accessories are created by injection molding. (These particular parts are for the upcoming God Marz toy.) Then, everything is assembled...
Ready for world domination! Or they will be, once they're painted.
If you dug this, you might dig learning about where Gundam robots come from.
very cool.
now do one on the secret methods of rotocast soft vinyl or I will cry.
Posted by: cae | March 23, 2008 at 01:25 PM
I'd love to! One of these days...
Posted by: Matt | March 24, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I love watching spincast metal parts being made! By the length of that pour spout in the top pic, that must have been one hell of a big mold. Great stuff, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Mr.Dandy | March 26, 2008 at 04:14 AM
The unpainted Tatsujins actually look cooler than the final product!
Posted by: wildarmsheero | March 27, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I was actually going to say exactly the same thing.
Posted by: Bernie | April 01, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Bandai should SELL those unpainted Tetsujin 28's.
Those are so cool!
Posted by: Atomboy | September 27, 2008 at 04:39 AM