Just curious as to why plastic ramps are used in many games rather than a wireform ramp? Is it cheaper to make the plastic ramps? Are they easier to reproduce? I am just trying to understand why some games have plastic, while others use wire?
I just played PRED and wonder why they chose plastic?
Any ideas or actual answers I would love to hear.
Depending on title and layout, maybe they chose clear for better sight lines. Budget is probably a huge factor as well. Depending on era, plastic was only choice until someone thought of wire form ramps. Also too, you have to remember, pinballs weren't made to last more than x amount of years, they were built to take a beating, make their money so ops would buy new titles for their routes and arcades. No manufacturer was thinking to build them for the long hall so eventually pinholics like all of us would collect them for home use.
Quoted from hollywood:Just curious as to why plastic ramps are used in many games rather than a wireform ramp?
It's the same reason why car, appliance and various other machine parts are made in plastic instead of metal. 
I can imagine wireform to be quite expensive compared to plastic. Layout and bend the wire, weld up, clean, plate. Quite a process compared to building a form and vacuum forming to it.
Quoted from Gnatty:Depending on era, plastic was only choice until someone thought of wire form ramps.
While not exactly wire form, metals ramps have been around since the 30's:
http://www.sandsmuseum.com/coinop/games/chicago/chicago.html
So I don't think it was a matter of available technology...simply cost and ease of manufacture.
I like a nice quality plastic ramp since you can see through it. However, when they look bad they definitely look bad. A dirty plastic ramp is definitely way worse than any dirty or worn wireform.
Also easier to clean metal ramps and wire forms.
Quoted from CaptainNeo:Metal doesn't crack at the entrance. But welds can be broken if not made well.
Truth. DE:SW....
My favorite are the combos. CV being the one I like the most.
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