How are toy cars manufactured?

06 May.,2024

 

How Are Toy Cars Made: From Concept To Creation

Diecast toy cars are a great way to collect and appreciate high-quality miniature replicas of famous vehicles including cars, bikes, trucks, racing cars, vintage cars, and your favorite action figures from film and TV.  

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Though diecast models have been around since the early 20th century, they remain a popular hobby for millions of collectors all over the world. With the look and feel of your favorite cars, trains, buses, and planes, an extensive diecast toy collection is a great addition to any home. 

And with a wide range of diecast model cars available, there is a model for every collector’s personal choice. Manufacturers work tirelessly to make diecast model cars near-perfect replicas on a small scale and they are intricately made with an amazing level of detail and accuracy. 

So, you might wonder how manufacturers can attain such accurate and stunning details on these incredibly small-sized cars. Here, we will be taking a look at what exactly is a diecast toy car, how toy cars are made, and the materials used in the production process. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Diecast Toy Cars?

A diecast toy car is a miniature replica of a real car that is made using a die-casting or metal-casting method. These scale models are usually made of a zinc or lead alloy and come fully formed as a single piece that generally portrays the real vehicle on a small scale. 

These diecast models are much more than simple toys, as they demonstrate a higher level of quality than plastic models, and they also have a greater shelf life. 

And it is a huge advantage for diecast model collectors, as it allows you to display and share them from generation to generation. Whether you are looking for a diecast car, plane, truck, bike, or tank, there is a diecast model out there for everyone. 

How Are Toy Cars Made?

As we have already mentioned, diecast toy cars are created using a technique called die-casting or metal casting. And this process is an effective and efficient way of mass-producing diecast models while also maintaining high consistency and quality.

Once you know more about the production process of these products, then you will better understand why high-quality diecast models can be quite expensive. Moreover, you will understand the care, effort, and attention that manufacturers put to create stunning models that amaze many car lovers. 

1. Die Casting

The die-casting process involves forcing or injecting molten metal into a highly-pressurized cast or die which holds the shape and form of the desired model to create the desired shape. And the mold or die will have two sides that must enclose together tightly so that the metal might cool into the correct desired shape. 

A hydraulic press will generally enclose it to create the pressurized environment into which the molten metal will enter. And high pressure means a fast fill of the die, which is extremely crucial as it ensures the entire cavity is filled before the cast solidifies. Generally, manufacturers will just diecast the casing of the car.

2. Plastic Injection

You should understand that the diecast process generally creates only one piece of a diecast model car. And a diecast toy car generally requires hundreds of pieces for assembly. But, manufacturers will not use the diecast process to create all those pieces, as that can be really costly. 

Instead of that, manufacturers will use the plastic injection method to create all the other parts such as tires, wheels, and grills. This process is almost similar to diecasting, however, it is done by injecting heated or molten plastic into a mold, usually with multiple parts to create a desired shape.   

3. Painting

Now, it is time to add some color to these pieces and there are different types of painting processes. These pieces will generally get spray-painted or airbrushed either mechanically or by hand. And this is usually done with a special paint that is designed to resist scratches and fading. 

However, you will only see hand-painted pieces in the case of small manufacturers, as it is usually time-consuming, but it also allows for finer details. And when the first layer of paint is done, then the pieces will generally bake to make the paint job more durable and long-lasting. 

After that, the pieces will dry and go to a silkscreen or pad printer to print designs, details, and any graphics on the car. However, pad printer machines can only apply one layer of color at a time, so if the designs on the car have more than one color, then they must go through that process again. 

4. Glass Pieces

Generally, manufacturers use various processes to create glass pieces, however, the main two ways are - plastic injection and vacuum forming. In most cases, manufacturers use plastic injection for mass production as it saves time and is cost-effective. 

Also, mass producers can cast each piece together, however, higher quality diecast toy cars would require casting each piece at a time. And in the case of vacuum forming, it stretches and heats the plastic until you can form it against the mold and it creates a crystal clear finish that adds a depth of realism and extra quality to diecast model cars. 

5. Headlights & Taillights

The headlights and taillights need a mold like every other piece in the model car. Generally, manufacturers will use the plastic injection method with the correct mold. However, you should remember that for high-quality diecast car models, usually, there will be separate molds for the marker, taillights, and turn signal. 

Also, manufacturers generally use different colors of injectable plastic to get the desired finish for their lights. By using different colors, separate molds, and hand painting, you can add a certain level of detail that brings realism to a toy car model. 

6. Assembly

Now, all the pieces or parts are assembled together using screws and glue. You already know that each piece for a model car must be diecast or plastic injected separately. However, you might get surprised after knowing that assembly is the most labor-intensive aspect of the whole manufacturing process.  

Most manufacturers will generally use a conveyor belt system, however, one person can add a piece at a time and send it down the line. But, in the case of more limited production, the assembly process is more hands-on as a person will assemble parts on several cars before sending that bundle to the next station.

7. Quality Control

When the model is completely assembled, it is inspected for quality and any errors. And quality control is a really important part of the production process of diecast toy cars. Because it ensures that all of the models being made- bikes, cars, or action figures meet the required standards of quality and are free from any defects or errors. 

Also, quality control ensures that the whole production process can run smoothly and efficiently. And when the diecast models have gone through the quality control process, they will be completely safe and reliable to buy, and they will look exactly as expected.  

Finally, the model toy car is packaged for delivery to the customer and this entire process can create an amazing miniature replica of your favorite car, bike, truck, or action figure. Collecting diecast models is an excellent way to show your love and passion for vehicles and much more.

Materials Used In The Production Process

Diecast toy car models are generally made from a combination of metal and plastic. And metal alloys such as zinc and aluminum are mainly used for their strength, weight, and their ability to be molded and painted into realistic forms. 

Usually, plastic materials are used for the more intricate parts of a diecast model such as the wheels, doors, and windows. Also, rubber is generally used to provide the required grip and traction on a model's wheels.

So, the materials used in the production of diecast toy cars depend on the specific effect and purpose of the model.

How To Start A Diecast Collection

Now that you have a better idea of what diecast models are and how these models are made, you are probably ready to start your very own collection. But before you begin forming your own personal collection of models, here are a few things to consider. 

1. Model Size 

First, you should consider the diecast model scales. Diecast models come in a wide range of scales such as 1:12, 1:18, 1:32, 1:36, 1:43, 1:64, and more. So, you should think about how big you want your diecast model to be. Here, the rule is - the higher the scale, the smaller the model.

2. Model History And period

Next, you should think about whether you want something from the early 20th century, or something more modern. Because, focusing on certain eras can really help you refine your diecast collection, and can also make for some amazing historical displays too. 

3. Model Type

Also, if you don’t already have a clear idea in your mind of what you want to actually collect, then you should think about the type of model you are interested in. There are so many options from cars and bikes to aeroplanes and action figures. At TinyTown, we stock more than 5000 different types of diecast models, so there’s plenty of choice for you. 

4. Model Brand 

Finally, you need to familiarise yourself with the different brands that made diecast models, such as Majorette, Maisto, Matchbox, Oxford Diecast, Schuco, and Bburago, each with different collections to explore. 

Also, there are many other top brands offering lots of different models, so you can always check them out to get an idea of what is available for you. And if you are looking for high-quality miniature models, then check out our extensive collection. 

Buy Your Favorite Diecast Models Today

Whether you are just starting out, or you have been collecting for years- there is no denying the appeal of a diecast model collection. And after reading through the manufacturing process, you can surely feel confident that you picked the correct hobby. 

So, if you would like to buy a model, then TinyTown is the best online destination for you to visit. We have thousands of collectible diecast model toy cars, all created with incredible detail and care. So, do you want to add more exquisite cars to your collection? Shop with us and check out our exclusive collection. 

How toys are made: toy manufacturing process

Toys manufacturing process is one that is both fascinating and complex. In order to create a toy that is safe and fun for children to play with, a great deal of care and precision is required at every stage of production. At our toy factory, we take great care to ensure that each toy is made to the highest possible standards. To achieve this, we follow a strict toy manufacturing process that involves several key steps: design, prototyping, molding, production and assembly.

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Let's take a look at each of these steps and break them down into smaller stages which are necessary for achieving the best possible outcome. Before we start, please keep it in mind that the toy manufacturing process described below is simplified in order to make it easy to follow and understand.

How toys are made? The process starts with market research

Before a factory begins manufacturing a new toy, product development team should determine whether there is a market for the product idea. This process is known as market research. In general, market research helps a toy manufacturer to assess consumer demand, identify potential competitors, set the best price point for the new toy, and determine most suitable new toy supply chain. Although market research is time-consuming and expensive, it is essential for making informed decisions about which toys to produce. By conducting thorough market research, toy manufacturer minimizes a risk of costly mistakes and maximizes the chances of a particular venture.

But since Double E toys are sold internationally, we as toy manufacturer often take more flexible approach and some of remote control trucks are developed and manufactured in ventures with our toys distributors operating in different countries or geographical areas and sold under double brand. This kind of business venture may take different forms depending on negotiations between both parties. The Ursus-360 remote control tractor model, which was developed together with our Polish toy distributor Ata Swiat Modeli i Zabawek has been one of the most recent and successful toy manufacturing ventures.

Toy manufacturing - design and prototyping

Toy prototype design and making

The first step in the process of designing toys starts with 3D modelling. This allows for virtual model creation and visualization that can be explored from all angles before any prototype is build.

After the 3D toy model is finalized, it's time for prototype building. The goal of toy prototyping is to produce a working sample of the toy that can be used for testing and evaluation to identify potential problems during toy manufacturing process or problems with the final product. Once the prototype is printed, it's time to assemble it and test if the construction of the toy is suitable for the mass production.

At Double E this typically involves putting together the different parts of a RC toy trucks, such as the chassis, wheels, electric board and truck's body.

RC construction vehicles prototyping - E579 RC Bulldozer model

Toy prototype durability and safety tests - quality control

By running a series of durability and safety tests on a prototype, R&D (research and development) team can identify any potential problems and make the necessary changes before the prototype is approved and toy manufacturing moves down the process ladder. That's why regular toy prototype testing consists of three intense scrutiny rounds. In the first stage, the toy's functionality is tested to make sure that toy works as it is expected. In the second stage, the toy goes through a series durability tests to make sure it can withstand rough play over time. And in the third and final stage, a series of safety tests is conducted, including physical and mechanical hazards, to ensure that the toy is safe for use by children.

Double E Toys team is always mindful of the safety precautions we need to take when designing and manufacturing toy for our little customers. We have a separate post that covers this topic including RC toy safety guidelines and advice for parents, so be sure not miss out on this valuable resource!

Toy manufacturing - legal protection

In most of cases, before moving on to the following toy manufacturing phase, the final toy prototype is reviewed by international lawyers for pattern and copyrighting protection, to ensure that the toy does not infringe any existing patents or trademarks. It also may include toy licensing agreements that are usually checked by lawyers to make sure they are fair and legal. This process is important to protect the interests of both the toy manufacturer and the licensor. The agreement usually stipulates how many toys can be manufactured, what geographical area they can be distributed, and how long the toy licensing agreement will last.

License not only makes Double E remote control trucks more realistic, but it also allows for better advertising and higher sales volume. Successful toy license approval, requires the toy to meet certain toy manufacturing quality standards and safety requirements set forth by the licensor.

Wide assortment of licensed remote control toy trucks and vehicles

At Double E Toys, we are always looking to expand our licensed toy collection. We work with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry to bring our customers the latest and greatest licensed remote control trucks and cars. Double E group is a licensee for many famous names, including: Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, JCB, Humvee, Jeep, Citroen, Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki, Mack, Lotus and others.

Toy manufacturing -mold production

Injection molding is one of the most popular toy manufacturing solutions. Mold production begins with a 3D mold completed by a skilled design engineer. After, the testing mold sample is made in order to test the quality and dimensions of the toy component. The molding parts are usually made from aluminum, steel, or alloy. It is a very slow and meticulous process, often taking weeks or even months to complete. Injection molding is in high toy production demand because the same toy can be reproduced thousands of times. The injection molding process is also relatively quick and requires little manual labor, which makes toy manufacturing cost-effective.

Double E group has established its mold production department 30 years ago. Since then the  department grew to 34 professional mold engineers and 31 mold production machines with production capacity of 10 new molds every month. The department is big enough to solely produce all molds needed to expand selection of products to keep up with the latest trends in the toy industry.

Toy manufacturing - packaging design

Designing the packaging for toys can be quite a challenge. This is because there are four major factors that need to be taken into account - material, function, size and messaging.

Toy packaging materials challenge

In the toy manufacturing industry, there are a variety of different packaging materials that can be used. However, in recent years there have been a few additional considerations that need to be taken into account. In addition to toxic-free material an eco-friendly packaging is becoming increasingly popular as consumers become more conscientious not only about kids safety but also about the environment protection. As a result, toy packaging materials should be durable, safe for children and the environment.

Toy packaging function - transport, stack and re-use

The major role of packaging is to protect toys during transportation and stacking but also the packaging should help to keep a toy clean. In addition, it is very important that the box is reusable because many parents may want use it for toy storage or potentially re-gift once children forget about the toy.

Toy packaging size matters

With transportation costs getting high and buyers wanting more compact packaging that can be shipped easily across countries - packaging size needs much more attention and creative mind. But at same time having too small box might have negative effects on direct sales through vendor or supermarket shops as younger kids often like bigger things as they get more exciting about what's inside the box. Right toy packaging should balance between transportation cost and attractive appeal that will boost kids' interest in a toy.

Toy packaging message - getting kids excited

The colors and images on toy packaging play a significant role in the purchasing decisions of parents and children. Bright colors are often associated with fun and excitement, while soft colors can convey a feeling of safety and comfort. Images of appealing scene with the toy also help to grab attention and create an emotional connection between potential customers and a toy. In many cases, the colors and images on toy packaging are the first things that a child will notice.

Interested in a new RC excavator? Check out our dedicated post.

The Double E design team is a group of highly dedicated and experienced toy packaging designers that are committed to creating the best possible packaging for our clients' products.

Toy manufacturing - production phase

Toy parts and components production

The process of toy production begins with selection of well examined and toxic free ABS plastic materials. Before molding process begins, ABS pellets are dried in special machines. The ABS is then transferred to the molding machines and the pellets are heated until they become liquid, then injected into a mold where it's forced out through tiny holes. The plastic cools and solidifies, taking on the shape of the mold cavity. The mold is then opened and perfectly formed toy part is ejected.

The amazing thing about ABS material is that it can be melted down and reshaped over again without significant chemical degradation, making it recyclable. ABS plastic material offers a great balance of dimensional stability, tensile strength and electrical characteristics which makes it strong.  

All of Double E toys are manufactured from tested and certified raw materials.

Shenzhen Toy Fair has become on of the most important events in China. This year China Toy Association has nominated Double E products for our commitment to quality and authenticity. Read more - Shenzhen Toy Fair Awards.

Toy assembly

As anyone who has ever put together a toy knows, the assembly is critical to the success of the toy manufacturing process. Any mishandling of the toy parts can result in defects what will ultimately be passed on to the end-users. To prevent this, toys are assembled according to tested instructions which guide the assembly lines. In addition, it is important that workers who are assembling toys are properly trained and strictly follow the rules.

The Quality Check department is responsible for testing toys after they are assembled. This important task helps to ensure that products meet safety standards and are free of defects. The department typically consists of professionals with extensive knowledge of toy manufacturing process. In order to test toys, the QC team uses a variety of methods, including visual inspection and functional testing.

After that, assembled toys are sent down to the packaging department. The packaging team makes sure each toy is securely packed in the appropriate box with all the needed manuals and instructions.

The products are stored at the warehouse until they'll be distributed between toy retailers.

Double E toys manufacturing capability

As one of the most well-known toy manufacturers in mainland China, Double Toys has been providing high-quality plastic toys to consumers around the world for over three decades. Today, Double E Group has 3 toy manufacturing facilities which cover 50 000 square meters and employs over 1000 employees. Manufacturing facilities are equipped with 228 injection molding machines which allows Double E toy manufacturing capacity to go over 1 million toys per year. In April 2022, CaDA Bricks first fully automated warehouse system has been successfully launched and within next 3 years the company plans to automate whole warehouse facilities.

Double E Toys can be found on each commercial B2C platform and our toys are exported to more than 50 countries around the world. In the last 10 years we have served over 1 thousand B2B customers and sold over 10 million toys. Double E has has thriving partnerships with well known toy companies, including brands like Jamar, Carlson, Smith Toys, Carrefour and Lidl.

‍We're proud that our high standards, expertise and experience in the toy industry has made us one of most often chosen toy manufacturers for OEM products.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Electric Toy Car Manufacturers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.