Would there be interest in producing generic blank figures?

Would there be interest in producing generic blank figures?
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Custom WorkstationWould there be interest in producing generic blank figures? I've been looking into rapid prototyper machines over the last year for making a series of generic blank figures. We are looking at 4 inch, 6 inch, and 12 inch figures. It is possible to produce them at least as cheap as store figures. I was thinking that the older figures become, the more expensive it will be to search down figures that have already been produced to use as a basic figure to make a custom from. The list so far is:
1) basic human female, 2) basic human male, 3) basic male child, 4) basic female child, 5) basic teenage male, 6) basic teenage female, 7) superhero male,
superhero female, 9) massive superhero male (Hulk size), 10) massive superhero female. Using the rapid prototyper any could be produced on demand when an order comes in. We are also discussing producing other body types like very thin, heavyweight, overweight, etc. Let me know your thoughts. The material used will be ABS plastic. We could also discuss producing just parts and sell the figures unassembled. This is just a discussion to find out everyone's thoughts on the idea and suggestions for figures that might be offered. I may take the idea and 3D computer files to the local Fab Lab (Fabrication Lab) and see how feasible it is to produce figures on demand as ordered. The startup cost would be more but the production and material would be less. No mould cost all 3D computer generated.
Thanks for your thoughts and input.
Clif

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Posted by
Clif52 on Sunday, December 4, 2011
User Comments
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Clif
Second area that I could see being a problem would be assembly. Marvel legends style articulation would require a ton of pins. Would those be included along with the pieces you'd offer? Also, joints such as the hips and shoulders may require that the torso pieces be put together after the shoulder and hip balls are assembled and put into place. Whenever assembling parts like this is needed, the put together figure sometimes has extremely loose joints that don't allow it to hold poses. I could see this being a problem with 3D printed parts.
And this other thing isn't really a problem but more of a comment. I sense that you are trying to focus on way to many different items. Since this would be a very complicated process to go through, I'd say to just pick one item and focus on that exclusively (for now at least). Then once you got the hang of it and you've worked out any problems, broaden your scope and offer different items. Look at what GoNativeToys is doing for instance. They're selling only the 4" scale male blank body now and are gauging interest for what other 4" scale bodies people would want next.
Sorry, didn't want to sound like I'm being a mood kill but I was looking into doing something similar once upon a time. Found out just how complicated it was and it made me run away as fast as I could! There was a lot of work (not to mention time) involved in the process and it didn't seem economically profitable at all. Instead of 3D printing as a means of production, getting molds made of a prototype sound like it's much more economically friendly and easier to work with in the grand scheme of things. I'm actually still working on a well articulated sculpt of a 6" scale female body in hopes that eventually I'll have the funds to pay someone to make molds and cast multiples. (I'm talking high quality molds. Like the metal master molds that actual toy companies use.) Like 3D printing, theres a huge upfront cost that is into the thousands. Best of luck to you!
http://www.firebox.com/product/5300/Per ... on-Figures
From there we also have lots of mask types: full head, full with visible hair, visible mouth (Captain America), visible hair and mouth (Captain Marvel), visible hair and face (Gambit, Angel), domino (maybe even different designs - classic, tied like Golden Age Robin, Nightwing, Kyle Rayner, Ms. Marvel's and Black Cat's wider masks with visible eyes), full mask similiar to Deadpool's - with the "drop" on the back of the head.
And for articulation, TB style is great to hear, though I prefer the Mattel WWE Elite style hip joints. I think they're the best looking, though their range of movement is limited.
I like that idea. You could have ready sets or a step by step shopping - first choose the body(bodies), then head(s), hair, accessories etc.
Clif
I think there should be at least three body types for each gender and child: standard superhero buck, lean (Spider-Man) and extra muscular. You should be able to resize them as you want, so either of them could be a Hulk or a Puck, right? For women I'd go with: supermodel (pretty much no muscle definition), fitness instructor (think Ms. Marvel, Wonder Woman, so muscular but not overly) and again extra buff (She-Hulk).
But that's not all, we could use figures in looser clothes, but still muscular, like Deadpool and Fantomex in the current X-Force series; fat, thin, without visible muscles, rock skin, metal skin, scales, with and without wrinkled fabric.
Self assembly is a must in my oppinion, we won't have to damage the figures opening them ourselves. Is the material flexible enough to assemble and disassemble them at will, with or without heating? More like a typical action figure forearm or more like a torso?
I'm working on an idea for making replacement joints using the 3D printer. I wonder if that would sell for customizers? You make a cut and drill a hole in each part of the limb, glue in the replacement joint, and paint. I'm also looking at making custom figures in a variety of body types and sizes.
I want to throw out some ideas and maybe do a limited run at the FabLab to see if its worth buying a 3D printer later this year. I've been looking at different body types for male, female, child, and teenager, maybe creature types too. What sizes and types of figures would you like to see available. What color plastic would be best since most of you would be sculpting and painting? Would flexable coats and jackets be of interest?
So far in my research I think figures sizes could be done for 4 inch, 6 inch, 12 inch, and I've got access to a 30" Superman figure that I think can be re-engineered for more articulation and produced as a generic figure. The 3D printer I'm looking at will produce 9 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches in hollow or solid plastic parts. Weapons, accessories, vehicles, and diorama parts could also be produced. Since its a 3D printer I would produce a single prototype of each as a test and for photography, then produce on demand when the item is ordered. I'm working on the 3D models now and checking into a 3D scanner. If all works out I may also be able to reproduce copies from your original sculpted figure. Once scanned the figure could be scaled to different sizes to be printed out. I wouldn't do any assembly or painting, just the generic figures, parts, or copies. I wouldn't be able to reproduce copyrighted mass produced figures, but maybe a generic form of them. I won't know prices until we are farther down the line in the research. But unassembled figures will be cheaper than trying to find some of the discontinued figures that we are using now, plus you don't have to take them apart to get started. Its kind of like an action figure model kit. I would love to be able to create a blank 30" figure that we could make a Galactus, Giantman, X-Men Sentinel, or something else from. I think once the bugs are worked out any of the smaller figures could be scaled up to 30" or maybe larger and just printed out. I'm open to all comments. Good idea or bad? This would eliminate some moulding and casting and probably come out cheaper in the long run.
Thanks for your input and comments.
Clif
Clif
I'm looking into a 3D rapid prototyper machine that would print action figures out of plastic from a 3D computer file. Since the machine prints solid figures or hollow figures it would be possible to create action figures in pieces at any size or shape needed. I would create parts one at a time so a single figure could be created on demand. A customer wants a superhuman male, a normal female, and a fat figure all in 1/12 scale or 6 to 7 inches tall. We pull up the computer file, print to plastic, ziplock bag the figure and ship it out to the customer. Then someone else needs a meta human size male like the Hulk, and a normal size teenager like Rick Jones. We pull up the 3D file, print out the parts and ship them out to the customer.
So far its just an idea we are kicking around to see if there is an interest. The machine is over $2,000 dollars and I'm working on getting enough working capital to buy one. I would also have to create all the computer files to make each action figure. I think it could be a possibility in the next year. We could not only make the figures, but also accessories, vehicles, and maybe diorama parts.
Thanks
Clif
Thanks
Clif
Clif
I agree with the idea of the figures being offered in parts. And I agree with the idea of manufacturing parts, accessories, vehicles and playsets. Honestly, not too long ago I came up with an idea on an idea on a DIY Action Figure kit that sort of mimicked the model kits that are out (with a basic kit which has some pre-fabbed items, the "Skill 2" has parts that allow for more complex articulation and painting and "Skill 3" would come with casting materials and a DVD with instruction on how to sculpt and cast your own figure parts). But I think there's a big area that can be helpful in expanding customizing. I mean, for example, there are some figures that aren't as readily available anymore or of vintage styles isn't done anymore. Let's say I wanted to make a Devon Miles and Bonnie Barstow action figures to go along with my Michael Knight and KITT vehicle. Short of disassembling actual vintage figures from 1982, the odds of finding figures that old and same style as used by Kenner at that time are pretty slim. Another good thing about pre-fabbing like what you're suggesting is that people can be able to put together the figures they want and it be correct. No more having to guess on if you got the head with the face you're wanting at the correct size. Before people disagree with me on this, keep in mind, there are people who sort of do this on eBay already, where they make replacement heads for the 1/6 scale (12 inch figures). So, I think it's a great idea to do so.
Clif