When our 3D files are sent to the manufacturer they must complete the tedious and time consuming process of reviewing the files and making revisions. This can take up to a month as they must ensure the drawings represent parts that can be made in the next step of production which is tooling.
Once the drawings are reviewed and approved they are used to make the tooling and from that tooling comes our first hand sample. Depending on the end product, that sample could be a resin rapid prototype printed on a 3D printer, a “first shot” in die-cast metal or a completed model in brass. At this stage the sample is usually not painted to allow us a closer examination of the overall quality. At this point, we check to make sure pistons hold position, wheels or tracks turn smoothly and the overall appearance of the model is correct.
Given the complexity of our models, it’s not uncommon to find that something has been overlooked or misinterpreted at this time. Above is a photo of the 992C Wheel Loader hand sample. You’ll notice the first version of the handrails in plastic that were later changed to metal because they didn’t meet our standards. If you look closely you’ll also see the winged foot in the Good Year logo on the tires is missing. When our review is complete we send our comments back to the manufacturer and wait for them to make the changes and send us another sample.
In the picture above you can see how the cylinders were painted along with the rest of the machine. Obviously not acceptable. Other changes required on these models included adjusting the hinge mechanisms on the bucket and filling a hole on the stick of the front shovel that was in the drawings but not on the real machine.
When the second sample arrives we again conduct a very rigorous and thorough inspection. This model will have full paint and markings which must be inspected and reviewed and at this point little things like the silver paint on the model above get noted and corrected. At this time, we typically receive a sample of the packaging to ensure it meets the required standards.
We understand the time line for the completion of a model is a long one—up to year in most cases—and although we wish it could be shorter, the reality of the work required to make a high-quality, limited edition model is always going to be laborious. Despite the challenges, we are addicted to the reward that comes when you tell us all our work was worth the effort as you simply love your CCM models.
In our next “Behind the Scenes” we’ll take a look at getting the machine markings on the models
