scale models Cars have long been popular not only among children, but also among adults. They serve as a toy, interior decoration and occupy a worthy place in collections. The first models appeared in Nuremberg (Germany) at the beginning of the twentieth century. It was in this city that private workshops and small firms began to produce them. There was no serial production yet, and each machine was made by hand.
Manual labor has always been valued, so the cost of products was high and only people with a solid income could purchase a car model.
Interest in scale models began to appear very quickly, not only in Germany, but also abroad. The demand for smaller copies forced manufacturers to improve manufacturing technology, thereby reducing their cost.
In 1914, the United States of America became the first country to put the production of scale models on the assembly line. It was a firm.
For the production of a scale model of the Ford T car, molds were used that were filled with tin.
Model building 1:16 Ford car T model 1912
This made it possible to produce a large number of models at the lowest possible cost.
The technology for manufacturing scale models provided for the use of an alloy of lead and tin for casting, but in further production it was replaced by a zinc alloy. Currently, each country has its own name for the alloy of copper, aluminum, zinc and magnesium, which are used in the production of car models. For example, in England it was given the name "mazac", and in the USA - "zamac".
Tanks of the worldIn order to start the development and production of models, the company that has decided to do this turns to the factory where they make original cars, for the purchase of a license for the manufacture of scale models. Then the designers get to work and, based on the drawings of a real car, create their own, but only already reduced to a certain scale. The master modeler assembles a prototype from components, assemblies and body parts, which will serve as the basis for removing the mold. Before the beginning series production the considered period is the longest on the way of the automobile miniature to the hands of the buyer. As soon as the forms are prepared, they are sent to the factory, which will be engaged in mass production of products. There are two ways to make such a model: injection molding and electroplating. Injection molding methodThe injection method consists in the fact that an integral one-time mold is made. A special model composition is pressed into a metal mold, which hardens, and individual parts of the future car are obtained from it. Then the composition used is removed by melting it in hot water. The shells that have turned out are subjected to calcination at a temperature of about 1000 ° C and metal is poured into them. The full name of this manufacturing method is investment casting. Diecast scale models
With its help, castings of complex shape are obtained, the mass of which ranges from several grams to several kilograms. The thickness of the walls of the castings is from 5 millimeters or more. Surface cleanliness corresponds to 4-6 class. The advantage of this casting method is high accuracy dimensions compared to other production methods. When casting according to investment patterns, the maximum approximation of the dimensions of the castings to the finished part is achieved. This contributes to a significant reduction in the machining of the casting and due to this, the cost of manufacturing the finished product is reduced.
In the manufacture of products by injection molding, the mold is filled with molten alloy. Compressed air and a piston create a pressure of about 7-20 MPa. With this method, the cooling rate increases, the likelihood of defects inside the product decreases. At the same time, the risk of damage to the part when it is removed from the mold increases. If the product is made by obtaining a layer of metal deposits on the surface of the mold during the electrolytic deposition of metal, then this method is called electroforming. For such production, special galvanic baths are used. The method is convenient for the production of chrome-plated parts and complex elements in which it is necessary to achieve a uniform thickness of the metal. It is known that zinc alloys have the property of natural aging, so firing is used to eliminate this. Priming and paintingFurther technological process includes priming and painting products. To apply inscriptions and logos, decals or tamping are used. With decal, the image is transferred to the surface of the part under the influence of temperature or mechanical force. This is good because, if there is no need, the image can be easily removed without damaging the surface of the model. Tamping is a process in which a silicone plate is painted with ink to transfer an image from an engraved metal plate to the body of the product. The impression depth is only one micron. A drawing applied in this way penetrates into the inner layer of paint, and it is impossible to remove it without damaging the model. For the manufacture of plastic parts, the injection method is also used. The technological process of assembling a large-scale car ends with the completion of the body with all the necessary details. The finished product is packaged in a sales box and sent to retail outlets. |
New Zealander Sandy Sanderson came up with an unusual way to recycle empty aluminum cans. In the hands of the master, the usual containers for beer, Coca-Cola and other drinks turn into cute car models.
How a bank turns into a car
First, a scan of the car is drawn on paper. It is very important that the finished car looks like it was made from one can. In fact, to create some models, they needed much more. For example, it took 20 cans of Coca-Cola to build this hot rod:
According to the sketches drawn from the tree, the details of the internal frame are cut out, on which the panels cut from the cans are then hung. Thanks to the well-thought-out arrangement of inscriptions and logos printed on the packaging, a feeling of a solid construction is created.
The bottoms cut off on a homemade machine become wheels future model. It is necessary to make the wheels located on the same axle equal in width.
Lastly, small parts are installed on the car using superglue: lights, instrument dials, gearshift and handbrake levers, suspension elements, filler neck and parts exhaust system. They are made of aluminum tubes, galvanized wire, electrical wires, as well as miniature bolts and nuts. These finishing touches give the models more expressiveness.
The finished model is covered with several layers of transparent varnish. This completes the manufacturing process. This is what one of Sandy Sanderson's cars looks like in assembly:
Tool
Sandy's main tools are knives for cutting wood, a pair of sharp scissors for cutting cans, sheets of fine and coarse sandpaper, glue and a jar of clear varnish. Sometimes the master uses a compass for marking round and curved parts, pliers and tweezers for bending wire, a small soldering iron for joining parts by soldering.
It's amazing how, with the help of skillful hands and simple tools, Sanderson manages to create such cool and stylish models:
How to make a model with your own hands
Making a car model yourself with the right number of empty cans and free time does not cost anything. But if you want the craft to look decent, you will have to work hard when compiling a sweep and subsequent manufacturing. A pre-made reamer can make the task much easier, which is why Sandy Sanderson sells her pre-made reamers and instructions for making a model for $10 a set. You can also order a ready-made car from him at a price of 200 to 2000 dollars, but this is definitely "not our method."
If you yourself decide to make a similar model, then before ordering drawings of a car from beer cans, we advise you to first try your hand, and at the same time practice on paper models. About where you can download paper models of cars for free, see the article.
Decided to start collecting or make an interesting gift? Let's see what to choose from and what to look for. Scales are different: 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, etc. But we will consider the most popular - 1:43. The size of such models is optimal for collecting, and it is the widest in terms of assortment. 43 scale models are not too big and not too small. Exactly what is needed.
Model Market huge today. With scale models of foreign cars, there have been no special changes lately. As they say, it all depends on the desired brand and the thickness of the wallet. If cheaper, then these are models from IXO or Eligor. Ready for best quality spend more? Then pay attention to models from MiniChamps or Schuco. It would take a whole paragraph to list all manufacturers. With models of the domestic auto industry, everything is more interesting. We will focus on them. Especially in recent years, the assortment has been growing like mushrooms after rain.
Cars
Most importantly, you need to decide on the price. If you are looking for a budget option (up to 1000 rubles), then there are various magazine series for you. First of all - "Auto Legends of the USSR". As well as the models of the company "Our Automotive Industry" (or NAP). All of them are made according to the same stamps. Detailing distinguishes them from more expensive products: unpainted interiors, lack of license plates, and so on. However, when buying a model, you should be careful, because among inexpensive products you often come across defective ones. Carefully inspect the model for the presence of all small elements. It happens that mirrors, wiper blades and other small things may be missing or damaged. Also pay attention to painting. Sometimes there are traces of glue or scratches on the body. And some specific models are made with frank hack-work in terms of reliability. For example, ZIL-41047 from the magazine series "Auto Legends of the USSR" has a disproportionately large front overhang. And another ZIL, experimental 4102, came out too low and too stretched. These are just a couple of examples.
Magazine or Nap models are great for those who like to make conversions (processing of the finished model) or serious improvements. The salon can be painted to your taste (for example, make the model look like a specific instance of a particular car). Many install other wheels, add license plates. Luckily there is on the market big choice details (inscriptions, instrument panels, license plates), more detailed wheels and tires, mirrors and other elements for improvement.
Budget models include "Autohistory" ("Stork"). In her range there is UAZ-3162 and Volga GAZ-3111, which cannot be found from other manufacturers. The quality of the models is not bad, and the cost fluctuates around 500-600 rubles. All models mentioned are made in China. There is nothing terrible here. After all, in the world of scale models, quality, as a rule, depends on the specific manufacturer, and not on the place of assembly. There are also cars of domestic production, from Saratov ("Tantal", "Agat", "Radon"). Scale models were made there back in Soviet times. But the quality in the post-Soviet period has fallen catastrophically. Unfortunately, the price is not. Models produced back in the days of the USSR (the so-called "numbered" ones) now cost a lot of money.
If you have a big budget and don't want to do handmade, then pay attention to models from IST. They were made on the same stamps as the previously described NAP and Avtolegendy, but the build quality and detailing are much better. There is another manufacturer that creates models already on their stamps - DiP Models. The cost of this company starts from 2 thousand rubles. But the quality is right too. In addition, the range has interesting models: Volga GAZ-21 Rally Monte Carlo, Lada Priora wtcc, ZIL-114 Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev and much more. There are no problems with errors in the geometry of the body, and the detailing is simply magnificent. For the especially rich, there are models of the Ukrainian company Vector Models. But due to the fact that they are manually assembled, their cost is simply cosmic. And they were in demand only in those times when there was no alternative.
Trucks
With trucks, everything is much more interesting. There are many more people who like to collect trucks. Of course, the larger the car, the higher the price. The cost of cargo models only starts at 600 rubles. One of the cheapest are models of the Kazan "Elecon", which has been producing scale models (primarily KAMAZ trucks) since the days of the USSR. The quality of the models, especially army modifications, was not bad. In addition to KAMAZ trucks, the Elekona range also includes other military equipment: ZIL-131 and Urals of various modifications. As a plus for all models, you can record the presence of engines and transmission elements. Cons: The quality has gone down a lot lately. Casting defects appeared, assembly quality fell. It is obvious that the equipment on which the models are made is already worn out. If you want the model to look authentic, you have to put your hands on it. Or be prepared to spend a lot. For example, in addition to Elecon, there is the St. Petersburg company LOMO, which specializes in GAZ-AA and ZIS-5. Their quality is good, but the price is disproportionately high due to the small circulation. In 1988, the production of the ZIL-MMZ 555 dump truck and the ZIL-130V tractor was launched at the Ukrainian Elektropribor. Now these models are considered a rarity and cost a lot of money. Although their quality was not the best.
KVS,
everything will be, and even more;)
DedCanLiv, Romance,
will be in the following topics.
esn69, these models are not for children, but for adult collectors and the price is appropriate.
Milordan,
continue to masturbate on them further, pass by.
flash death,
more work is commendable!
RadonVRN,
in 3D we make only complex details, the rest is done by hand.
Over time, we will switch completely to 3D development.
kindKasper,
completely ignorant of the topic.
I don't even want to comment.
Dima687,
On the left coast. But we don't have a physical store.
Write to, we will solve everything.)
Quitter,
yes, he drew it for us.)
painter88,
you are far from modern trends in modeling.)
thundercheef,
there are also talented craftsmen in Russia, I know many.)
Insolent,
here you can do it without zen if you go in for active sports on the weekend.)
Ollyvander,
I'm glad my post encouraged you to sign up.)
If you know how to collect whales - well done, buy them, whales are great, seriously, I really like them, I collected several myself, just from Russian masters.)
But not everyone knows how, not everyone has something to paint, that, corny many do not have the time, but they have money, it is easier for them to buy and put on the shelf.
As for parcels, from my experience of sending thousands of parcels to Russia, only two were lost, both were lost by the Russian Post and not a single one by Ukrposhta.
And this indicates that the Russian Post itself may also lose a parcel sent INSIDE Russia. And Ukraine has nothing to do with it.
Yes, by the way, the cost of delivery to Russia is also set by the Russian Post. And not in native rubles (300 rubles), but in the hated Pindos dolyars (already about 600 rubles) [what the hell??] such things are ...
rikardato,
we don’t touch other people’s whales, we saw them either from scratch or from industrial models.
Connection:
batman12345,
because the wages are low...
Zidane2012, we have a closed production, without visitors.)
Avertin the topic is infotainment. In no message do I urge anyone to buy models, there are enough customers, there are other places for sale.
As for the workshops, since the beginning of the 90s, it has become a tradition that most of the handmade models sold in Russia were from Ukraine.
Kherson-models, Vector, Cimmeria, EMC (Pivtorak), RTM and others, if that tells you something.
dragway,
another specialist showed up.)))
Toys for children are made simplified and at the same time stronger, so that the child does not break everything at once, so that he does not swallow small parts that have fallen away, they make simplified opening elements so that it is more interesting for him to play, and so on and so forth.
Here the approach is different - maximum detail, but the model does not need to be strong, metal, it needs to look good on the shelf, it will not be rolled in the sandbox. And the doors do not open so that there are no gaps that worsen the perception of the model.
In general, learn materiel.)
hzkak,
Tamiya is the 24th scale, and here the 43rd and only the first models of the workshop, it will be cooler further;)