Processing methods of toy prototypes refer to the techniques used to transform design concepts into physical toy models—each method differs in cost, précision, and suitability for specific toy types (Par exemple, figurines, plush toys, or mechanical toys). Choosing the right method is critical for validating design feasibility, Fonctionnalité de test, et accélérer le temps de commercialisation. This article breaks down the core processing methods, leurs flux de travail, comparative strengths, troubleshooting tips, and real-world applications to help toy developers make informed decisions.
1. What Are the Core Processing Methods of Toy Prototypes?
Each method is tailored to different toy complexities, batch sizes, et les contraintes budgétaires. The table below details their key traits, flux de travail, et les cas d'utilisation idéaux.
| Méthode de traitement | Principe de base | Flux de travail étape par étape | Types de jouets idéaux | Avantages clés |
| 3D Impression | Layer-by-layer deposition of plastic (PLA, Abs) or resin to build 3D models from digital designs. | 1. Model Preparation: Export 3D CAD files (Format STL) and optimize for printing (Ajouter des supports pour les surplombs).2. Paramètre: Choose layer thickness (0.1–0.2mm for smooth surfaces), remplissage (10–30% for structural stability), et la vitesse d'impression (30–60 mm / s).3. Exécution d'impression: Load filament/resin into the printer (FDM for PLA/ABS; SLA for resin) and start printing.4. Post-traitement: Supprimer les supports avec des pinces, sand with 200–1000 grit sandpaper, and polish to remove layer lines. | Complex-shaped toys: Action figures with movable joints, puzzle toys with intricate grooves, or miniaturized models. | – Revirement rapide (4–24 hours per prototype).- No mold needed (low upfront cost for small batches: 1–10 unités).- Capture les bons détails (Par exemple, 0.5mm-thick facial features on a doll). |
| CNC Fine Carving | Computer-controlled cutting tools remove material from solid blocks (plastique, bois, ou métal) to shape toy parts. | 1. Design Import: Convertir des modèles 3D en G-code (machining instructions) using software like Mastercam.2. Fixation des matériaux: Secure the material block (Par exemple, POM plastic, acrylique, or aluminum alloy) au lit de la machine CNC.3. Optimisation du parcours d'outil: Set cutting depth (0.1–0,5 mm par passe) and tool speed (10,000–15,000 RPM) to avoid overheating.4. Sculpture & Finition: Machine the part, then sand (400–800 grain) or sandblast the surface to improve smoothness. | High-precision toys: Mechanical toy gears, wooden toy blocks, or metal toy components (Par exemple, hinges for a toy box). | – Précision ultra-élevée (±0.05mm for critical features like gear teeth).- Durable parts (suitable for load-testing, Par exemple, a toy car’s axle).- Works with rigid materials (Par exemple, POM for wear-resistant toy wheels). |
| Moulage en silicone & Replication | A master prototype (3D-printed or CNC-machined) is used to create a silicone mold, which is then filled with materials like PU resin to produce multiple copies. | 1. Master Prototype Making: Create a high-quality master (Par exemple, a 3D-printed resin toy figure).2. Silicone Mold Production: Encase the master in a mold box, pour liquid silicone (500–2000 cP viscosity), and cure at 25–80°C for 4–24 hours.3. Démêlé & Replication: Remove the master to reveal the mold, then inject PU resin/epoxy into the mold and cure.4. Garniture & Assemblée: Cut off excess material (marques de porte) and assemble multi-part toys (Par exemple, a toy robot’s body + bras). | Small-batch toy production: 10–50 units of a doll, toy animal, or decorative toy (Par exemple, Christmas ornaments). | – Cost-effective for batches (lower per-unit cost than 3D printing).- Preserves master details (Par exemple, texture on a toy’s fur or clothing).- Fast replication (3–5 days per batch). |
| Fabrication à la main | Manual shaping of materials (argile, bois, mousse, or fabric) using tools like carving knives, colle, and paint—ideal for artisanal or one-off toys. | 1. Sélection des matériaux: Choose clay (for sculpting), mousse (for soft toys), ou bois (for traditional toys like wooden trains).2. Mise en forme & Sculpture: Carve, moule, or sew the material into the toy’s shape (Par exemple, sculpt a clay doll’s face or sew a plush teddy bear).3. Finition: Sand wooden parts, paint details (Par exemple, eyes, motifs), and add accessories (Par exemple, a toy’s hat or scarf). | Artisanal toys: Custom plush toys, hand-painted ceramic figures, or traditional wooden toys (Par exemple, a hand-carved top). | – No specialized equipment needed (lowest upfront cost).- High customization (easy to adjust designs on the spot).- Suitable for unique, non-replicable toys (Par exemple, a one-of-a-kind art doll). |
2. How to Compare & Choose the Right Processing Method?
Use the following framework to select a method based on 5 facteurs critiques: taille de lot, toy complexity, budget, précision, et chronologie.
2.1 Comparative Table of Key Factors
| Facteur | 3D Impression | CNC Fine Carving | Moulage en silicone | Fabrication à la main |
| Taille de lot | 1–10 unités | 1–20 unités | 10–50 unités | 1–5 unités |
| Toy Complexity | Haut (supports undercuts, structures creuses) | Moyen (best for rigid, Formes simples) | Haut (replicates complex master details) | Moyen (limited by manual skill) |
| Coût (Par unité) | \(5- )30 (PLA / ABS); \(15- )50 (résine) | \(20- )100 (plastic/wood); \(50- )200 (métal) | \(3- )15 (PU resin copies) | \(10- )100 (depends on material/skill) |
| Précision | ± 0,1 à 0,5 mm (layer lines affect smoothness) | ± 0,05–0,1 mm (highest for rigid parts) | ± 0,1 à 0,3 mm (matches master precision) | ±1 à 5 mm (le plus bas, skill-dependent) |
| Production Timeline | 4–24 heures par pièce | 1–3 jours par partie | 3–5 days per batch (moule + copies) | 1–7 days per part (skill-dependent) |
| Mieux pour | Rapid iteration of complex toys | High-precision mechanical toy parts | Small-batch replication of detailed toys | Custom artisanal or one-off toys |
2.2 Decision-Making Example Scenarios
- Scénario 1: Une startup a besoin 5 prototypes of a complex action figure (avec 3 movable joints and textured armor) dans 3 jours.
- Choice: 3D Impression (resin SLA). It captures fine details (armor texture) quickly and avoids mold costs.
- Scénario 2: A toy manufacturer wants 30 copies of a simple wooden toy car (no moving parts) for market testing.
- Choice: Moulage en silicone. Make a CNC-machined wooden master, then replicate 30 PU resin copies at low cost.
- Scénario 3: An artist wants a one-of-a-kind plush toy with custom embroidery and fabric details.
- Choice: Fabrication à la main. It allows full customization (embroidery, fabric selection) without equipment constraints.
3. What Are the Critical Post-Processing Steps for Toy Prototypes?
Post-processing enhances appearance, fonctionnalité, and safety—critical for toy prototypes (especially those for children).
3.1 Finition de surface
| Étape | But | Méthode & Outils | Exemple |
| Ponçage & Polissage | Remove processing marks (lignes, tool scratches) and create smooth surfaces (avoids sharp edges). | – Sand with 200→400→800→1000 grit sandpaper (grossier à fin).- Polish with polishing paste (oxyde de cérium) and a soft cloth for a glossy finish. | Sanding a 3D-printed doll’s face to eliminate layer lines; polishing a CNC-machined wooden toy car to a smooth shine. |
| Coloration & Décoration | Match design aesthetics (couleurs, motifs) and add brand identity (logos, safety labels). | – Spray Coating: Apply primer (pour l'adhérence), base color (acrylic/model paint), and protective paint (mat/brillant).- Water Transfer Printing: Add complex patterns (Par exemple, cartoon skin, camouflage) to curved surfaces (Par exemple, a toy truck’s body).- Dépistage de la soie: Print small details (Par exemple, “Ages 3+” labels, Logos de marque) on flat surfaces. | Spraying a toy robot’s body blue; using water transfer to add tiger stripes to a plush toy’s fabric. |
3.2 Assemblée & Tests fonctionnels
| Étape | But | Méthode & Outils | Exemple |
| Assemblage des composants | Join multiple parts (Par exemple, a toy’s head + corps + limbs) securely and safely. | – Glue: Use non-toxic instant glue (pour les pièces en plastique) or fabric glue (for plush toys).- Attaches: Use small screws (M2-M3) pour les pièces mécaniques (Par exemple, Toy Gears) or snaps for easy disassembly. | Gluing a doll’s arm to its body; using snaps to attach a toy’s removable hat. |
| Validation fonctionnelle | Ensure moving parts work smoothly and safely (no jamming or breakage). | – Test joint mobility (Par exemple, bend a toy’s leg 100 times to check for durability).- Verify electronic features (Par exemple, a toy’s sound module plays the correct “beep” when a button is pressed). | Testing a toy car’s wheels to ensure they spin freely; checking a light-up toy’s battery life (≥8 hours of use). |
3.3 Safety Compliance
| Étape | But | Méthode & Normes | Exemple |
| Edge Blunting | Eliminate sharp edges (hazard for children under 3). | File or sand edges to a radius of ≥0.5mm; use a deburring tool for CNC-machined parts. | Blunting the edges of a wooden toy block to avoid splinters. |
| Small Part Check | Ensure no detachable parts (≤3cm) pose choking hazards (per ASTM F963 or EN 71 normes). | Use a “choking hazard tester” (a 31.75mm diameter cylinder) to check if parts fit inside—if they do, secure them with glue. | Gluing a toy’s small button eyes to its face to prevent detachment. |
4. What Are Common Problems & Troubleshooting Tips?
Even with careful processing, issues can arise—here’s how to fix them.
| Problème | Cause première | Solution |
| 3D Printing Layer Lines Visible on Toy Surfaces | Layer thickness too high (≥0.2mm); insufficient post-processing. | – Reduce layer thickness to 0.1–0.15mm during printing.- Sand with 800→1000→2000 grit sandpaper, then polish with paste. |
| CNC-Machined Toy Parts Have Rough Surfaces | Cutting tool dull; feed rate too high. | – Replace the cutting tool with a sharpened one (Par exemple, carbide end mill).- Reduce feed rate by 20–30% (Par exemple, from 1000mm/min to 700mm/min).- Sandblast the surface for a uniform matte finish. |
| Silicone Mold Deforms During Replication | Silicone hardness too low (<50UN); no release agent used. | – Use higher-hardness silicone (70A - 80A) for the mold.- Apply a silicone-compatible release agent (Par exemple, vaseline) to the master before mold making. |
| Handcrafted Toy Has Uneven Paint Coverage | Paint applied too thick; brush strokes visible. | – Apply 2–3 thin coats of paint (allow 30 minutes drying time between coats).- Use an airbrush for large surfaces (Par exemple, a plush toy’s body) or a fine-tip brush for details (Par exemple, eyes). |
5. What Are Real-World Application Examples?
5.1 Prototype de figure d'action (3D Impression + Moulage en silicone)
- But: Créer 20 prototypes of a 15cm-tall action figure with 4 movable joints and a textured cape.
- Processus:
- 3D print a resin master (Sla, 0.1épaisseur de couche mm) to capture joint details and cape texture.
- Make a 70A silicone mold from the master.
- Inject PU resin into the mold to produce 20 copies.
- Sable, peinture (metallic silver for armor), and assemble joints with small metal pins.
- Résultat: 20 durable prototypes ready for user testing, coût du coût \(12 par unité (contre. \)35 for 3D-printed copies).
5.2 Wooden Toy Train (Usinage CNC + Fabrication à la main)
- But: Make 5 high-precision wooden toy train cars (with interlocking couplings) for a boutique toy brand.
- Processus:
- CNC machine the train body and wheels from maple wood (±0.05mm precision for coupling holes).
- Hand-sand the surfaces to 800 grit and apply non-toxic wood stain.
- Handcraft the couplings (small wooden pins) and attach them to the train cars with glue.
- Résultat: Durable, safe toy trains that meet ASTM F963 standards for children under 3.
Perspective de la technologie Yigu
À la technologie Yigu, we see choosing the right toy prototype processing method as a “cost-time-quality balance act.” Too many clients overspend on CNC machining for simple toys or rely on 3D printing for large batches—wasting time and money. Notre approche: We analyze toy complexity (Par exemple, “Does it have moving parts?») and batch size to recommend the best method. Par exemple, we helped a toy startup cut costs by 40% by switching from 3D printing 50 doll prototypes to silicone molding (using a 3D-printed master). We also prioritize safety: We ensure post-processing removes all sharp edges and use non-toxic paints for children’s toys. For toy developers, the right method isn’t just about making a prototype—it’s about validating designs efficiently while keeping kids safe.
FAQ
- Can I combine multiple processing methods for a single toy prototype?
Yes—hybrid approaches are common. Par exemple: 3D print a toy’s complex head (with facial details), CNC machine its rigid body (pour la durabilité), and handcraft its soft fabric clothes. This balances precision, coût, et personnalisation.
- What’s the most cost-effective method for 10–15 units of a detailed toy (Par exemple, a doll with painted features)?
Silicone molding is best. Make a single 3D-printed resin master (captures painted details via texture), then produce 10–15 PU resin copies. Total cost is 30–50% lower than 3D printing each unit separately.
- How do I ensure a CNC-machined toy part meets safety standards (Par exemple, pas de bords tranchants)?
- Design parts with ≥0.5mm edge radii in the 3D model (avoids sharp corners during machining).
- Post-process with a deburring tool to remove burrs, then sand edges with 400+ papier de verre de grain.
- Test edges with a “choking hazard tester” and a soft cloth (no snags or sharp points).