The process of manufacturing Oxford Diecast Vehicles

Drawing and Pattern Making

Firstly our draughtsmen break the model down in all its component parts. To do this we will use as much source material as is available either from actual vehicles if available or old working drawings. These initial drawings will determine the final look of the product so as much time as is possible is spent in getting this stage correct. Many considerations are taken into account including the look and feel of the item e.g. is it a scale or stylised model. A copy of these details will go to the pattern maker who will create a prototype model normally at three times the intended size. This will be a fully accurate model that can be assembled and will ensure that the fit of the parts and the detail of the model are correct.

Tooling

Moulds are then created that will produce the end components. This can take many weeks and it is a highly skilled process and much thought has to be given not only to the shape off the item, but also how the metal or plastic will be formed within the die. Once the moulds have been completed the ‘first shots’ are produced and fitted together to ensure that there is an accurate fit between parts.

Manufacture

All of the components that are required need manufacturing in either metal or plastic. The metal components are formed out of a Zinc Alloy which melts at around 400°C, various plastics are used depending on the use of the item – e.g. windows from High Impact Styrene, Wheel Hubs from ABS. Generally the plastic components are moulded in their final colour by the addition of colorant at the moulding process. The metal items are then sprayed with their base colour. Masks can be used to overlay secondary colours by hands-praying e.g. split colours on buses. The silver parts of the model (such as wheel hubs) are either chrome plated (chemical dipping) or vacuum metalised (the vaporisation under vacuum of aluminium pellets). Detailed decoration of the product then takes place through pad printing. In this process a steel plate is etched to form an image, ink is then screened onto this plate and a silicon pad removes the image and applies it to the component. Various colours and images are then used to build up the sometimes complex images that can be seen on the product.

Assembly

This is the final process where all of the components are brought together and assembled and staked together to form the final vehicle