Bronco Model Kit

[Pflyboy]

What about using a female mold? All the details would remain, but I'm not a vaccuum bagger, so I don't know if it's doable. What would I use to make a mold off of the plug? Plaster? Silicon seems like the vaccuum would crush it.

Nick

 

[Kurt]

Even while using a 5th axis machining center, or cutters with cutting profiles used specifically for undercuts, it is more difficult to add the necessary detail to a female mold. The material draw ratio is also a challenge, even while using a contoured plug assist.

A male mold will have better draw, and allows for easier access to add the required detail. Ejecting the plastic off the mold would be quite a challenge, especially in the grill region. As stated, a multiple piece mold alleviates this issue to an extent, but adds a parting line. Some of the lexan bodies with detailed grills are a good example.

 

[Pflyboy]

The grill will most likely be resin, but will surely be a seperate peice. The interior and floor will be seperately molded from the exterior. The exterior body will be molded without a top, requiring the area above the bed (from the top of one quarter to the other) to be cut out after assembly. Hopefully that will reduce the amount of undercuts. A top (either half-cab or a full-top) can then be installed.

It's looking like the hood and doors will be fixed shut for simplicity's sake, though the tailgate will be seperate, and might be resin. A good modeller will be able to cut out the hood and doors to open them up. Thanks for all your suggestions. It really helps with this project and everybody's input is taken into consideration.

Nick