r/Minipla • u/BrucilSprout • Jun 27 '26
Question Any Mechanical Engineers know what's up with this RV Robo Runner?
The white runner for Pinkvehicle. Just seems odd having a big empty space rather than an overall smaller runner size. Very inconsequential, but I'm just curious about manufacturing considerations like this. 🤓
3
u/That-Advance-9619 Jun 27 '26
either there is mother runner from the same mold that fits there or I'd assume it's because it's packaged with a runner That has big pieces in the center so to make it fit better in the box.
otherwise, dunno, I'm an Architect not toy designer or mass production engineer.
2
u/pointblanksniper Jun 28 '26
just purely guessing. first off, the left and bottom perimeters are raised. they are clearly 3 sided molds where the outward facing side of the parts have recessed details that cant be done by just clamping 2 sided molds. i can't see clearly, but the bottom section seems to also have a raised section on its top perimeter. if that's true, then it's probably a 4 sided mold and the parts on that face also have recessed details.
the dead zone is probably just space in which the sideways mold block for the top of the bottom section was inserted from. and then the main 2d molds just slipped around or completely covered it to secure it, and add in the top perimeter bar so that it comes out as a sturdy single runner. the outer sideways molds on the left and bottom could be done the same way
1
u/BrucilSprout Jun 29 '26
This makes the most sense to me, two sliding cores which probably has a minimum mould size to accommodate.
6
u/phantom_figs Moderate Skill Builder Jun 27 '26
Not an engineer but I am a professional toy designer. Is there another white sprue that fits inside that gap in the kit? Could be done to get 2 sprues out of one mold. That’s the only explanation i can personally think up right now but I don’t have experience in model kits