Vinyl Figure Production: Process and Trends The term "vinyl" is not a material, but rather a process used to manufacture toys. However, the design of vinyl figure is characterised by exaggerated, abstract, unconstrained and individualistic features, which aligns with the concept of modernity. Consequently, vinyl figure such as Tug, Baby Milo and others will become a prevalent trend. The vinyl figure can be defined as a three-dimensional representation of a comic image, with a narrative background. It is notable that there are numerous examples of these representations, which are often presented as sets or series. Each vinyl doll is assigned a unique name, and many young people consider purchasing these vinyl dolls to be a form of collecting. The term "vinyl figurine" is primarily used to refer to dolls crafted from PVC materials. It is a common misconception that collectible vinyl toys are simply made of the material vinyl. In fact, the term 'vinyl' is used to describe a specific production process, rather than the material itself. The term 'vinyl' is used to describe a range of manufacturing processes, including injection moulding, micro injection and drip. However, the material used in these processes is not necessarily vinyl in its traditional sense. In fact, the source material is often PVC-based, which is poured into a liquid state and then heated uniformly in a vinyl furnace to form a solid paste on the side of the mould. The vinyl process utilises PVC as the raw material, resulting in the production of two distinct types of vinyl: hard and soft. The term 'sofubi' is the Japanese phonetic translation of 'soft vinyl'. It is also known as 'soft vinyl' or 'Japanese soft vinyl'. The question thus arises as to the manner in which a vinyl toys manufacturer produces vinyl dolls. The following is a description of the production process for custom vinyl toys in a toy factory. The paste PVC solution is then added to the mould, which is subsequently closed. Subsequently, the mould is positioned within a high-temperature vinyl oven and rotated at a low speed along two vertical axes. In this manner, the molten plastic material is uniformly coated on the interior of the mold under the influence of gravity. Once cooled, the mould is opened and the finished product is extracted. Due to the fact that it is formed in a rotating mould, the material is also referred to as 'rotomoulding', which is a specific type of rotational moulding process. The question thus arises as to the manner in which vinyl moulds are manufactured. Moulds are an indispensable tool in the context of mass production. The production of vinyl moulds necessitates the utilisation of elevated temperatures, consequently rendering metal moulds, predominantly copper, an indispensable component. In conjunction with the growing prevalence of 3D printing technology, a considerable number of contemporary toy designs employ computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques, culminating in the direct 3D printing of the master mould (mould type). However, the traditional vinyl process requires a more intricate and time-consuming master mould production process, typically involving two steps: the creation of a clay sample and a wax sample. The initial stage is the creation of a clay sample, whereby the design prototype is sculpted manually and with the aid of machinery. The question thus arises as to why wax moulds are employed. From a technical standpoint, the surface of the wax pattern is relatively straightforward to polish, thereby ensuring a high degree of flatness for the mould surface. Conversely, the subsequent phase is analogous to the 'lost wax method' employed in ancient China for the casting of bronzes. Subsequently, the wax sample is positioned within an electroplating tank, whereby the bronze mould is subsequently cast through the electrolytic reaction of electroplating. Subsequently, the wax is subjected to a heating process until it melts into a liquid. Once the wax has melted, a hollow copper mould is formed, which is then shaped to match the original wax sample. This copper mould is referred to as a 'seed mould'. In the context of mass production, even metal moulds are susceptible to wear and tear. Consequently, a number of production moulds are typically created from the seed moulds. Subsequently, the production moulds are affixed to a steel frame, thereby rendering them suitable for mass production. The use of vinyl moulds, copper moulds, complex moulding processes and a certain scrap rate inevitably entails significant costs. The following section will present an overview of the features and bugs associated with vinyl toys. As the mould is a single-piece construction, the finished product can be produced without the need for a parting line. Furthermore, the centrifugal force exerted during the rotation process results in the formation of a hollow interior within vinyl toys. The material is lightweight and elastic, which makes it difficult for the toy to fall. It is easy to play with, carry, and use in various activities, such as shooting outside or collecting items in a station cabinet. These features contribute to the toy's ability to provide companionship and social functions. This may be the reason why a considerable number of contemporary toys have adopted the vinyl process. What are the inherent limitations of this material? Firstly, it should be noted that there are inherent limitations to the design of vinyl. The presence of numerous sharp bumps and indentations in the shape of the object to be manufactured will inevitably impede the flow of the glue paste within the mould, resulting in the formation of bubbles, raw glue, and other defects. This is the reason why the majority of vinyl toys that are manufactured have a relatively simple shape, with no sharp corners or indentations. Secondly, with the exception of the copper mould plating process, each stage of the process is conducted manually. To illustrate, the time control of the moulding process differs depending on whether the mould is manually pulled out of the mould or not. Additionally, the finished shape of soft vinyl toys can vary significantly, which in turn affects the feasibility of batch machining painting, necessitating manual colouring instead. Consequently, the potential for inconsistencies in the final product is considerable, the scrap rate is elevated, and the cost of labour for production is significant. Additionally, due to the nature of the material, PVC plastic, vinyl toys are susceptible to deformation, cracking, and oiling. This is a common challenge associated with PVC materials.How to Make Vinyl Toys?
What is Vinyl Toy?
The process of vinyl mold making