Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Maniac on 30 August 2024, 05:51:53 PM
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This may seem like a bit of a weird question, but I'm working on some 3D printed Battletech minis for my son for Christmas. I was thinking I might try and make fake packaging and I'm curious if anyone has tried doing that before?
The box is easy enough as is the clear plastic front, but the clamshell plastic support has me stumped. I could just carve it out of foam, but that is opaque.
Essentially I'm trying to think of a way to spoof something like this and am looking for suggestions for supporting material.:
(https://c.media-amazon.com/images/I/61ze7IWr6ZL.__AC_SX300_SY300_QL70_FMwebp_.jpg)
It will be 5 3d printed mechs in Ghost Bear colors with a tin of Ghost Bear dice (which may or may not go in the box)
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Back in the 70's and 80's we used to make canopies and replacement pieces for vacform aircraft and rocket kits using a home made vacuum table (or downdraft table as the cool kids call them today).
Pretty simple to build with basic diy tools, a few clamps and a "bin" style vacuum cleaner. Use thin plastic sheet and a decent hair dryer.
Plenty of articles around the web showing how to do it.
This kind of thing:
https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/716353884494092506/ (https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/716353884494092506/)
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That would be best with a vacuum machine, like the Formbox by Mayku (expensive though if you only need 1 piece and depend on the size). Might be worth checking local make labs those might have those machine for rent at their location or maybe contact a company such as Amera Plastic Moulding maybe they do custom jobs.
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You could make a rough approximation of vac form packaging inserts by as you say carving the shape out of something semi rigid, then taking a piece of heated clear plastic and pushing it over the form you've made.
Equally if you have access to a vac former or know someone that works in a school/workshop that does, you could do it the proper industrial way.
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My mother suggested just using hot glue and some posts under the mechs. I think it's shaping up pretty well. They have an illusion of floating in the box.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2024/10/29/1200597_sm-.jpg) (https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/1200597-.html)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2024/10/29/1200596_sm-.jpg) (https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/1200596-.html)
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That looks nicer than the real one! Great job!
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That looks very sharp! An inspired solution using hot glue to hold them in place, too.