Transporter ramp update....
Well, I'm finally done....finished some of the last piece last night. Over the years (wow...how time flies!) I've, on several occasions, discussed the differences between male mold and female molds. Sometimes you simply have no choice but to form a new ramp the same way as the original, simply due to the design...Space Station for example was formed on a female mold and cannot possible be formed on a male mold. Whenever I can I opt to form on male molds. The reason is it simply puts more plastic at the bottom of the ramp where it is needed for strength (thicker!)
The Transporter upper left and the right ramp were formed on female molds. I converted both of these to male molds. When formed as female molds as I mentioned, the plastic thins incredibly as it is pulled down into the form. If you look at the thickness of the plastic at the drop hole on the right ramp for example, you will see that the plastic there is only about 1/32" thick and as shown in the photos below, where that ramp is failing. The side by side photos of both the entrance and exit to that ramp demonstrate the improvement by forming on a male mold. Both the upper left ramp and the right ramp had portions of the top edge "rolled over". This is difficult to reproduce when forming on a male mold. I was successful in "pulling" this off on the upper left ramp, but the right ramp fought me every step of the way. The right ramp has some of these rolled over edges, but I simply had too many failures to continue to make them exactly as the original. This was compounded by the fact that I chose a thicker plastic than the originals as well. So, I simply eliminated the rolled over parts of the right ramp....this is how I would have designed this ramp. The result is simply better all around.
I will announce pricing shortly and begin shipping tomorrow.
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