Interest check: reproduction PGM cartridge shells

[plasticfactory]

I'm converting this post into a soft interest check for reproduction PGM shells.

This sub-forum doesn't seem to get a lot of traffic, so I'm not sure if there will be any traction here, nor if anyone actually has interest in these. However, given Fluffy's work and the potential for a multi (one day), replacements for OEM shells seem like something that could be useful. Plus, I really like the idea of a special color run for the Cave games...

Regardless, my other arcade-related injection molding project was wrapped up today and there is a good chance I'll go ahead with this, anyway.

The shells would feature:
- manufactured with production injection molds
- comparable or identical material to originals
- color matched to originals, with potential for limited run colors
- potential, minor design tweaks to account for modern manufacturing sensibilities

Price would probably be $15-25/set, with quantity breaks.

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Original post:
I am looking for NOS shells to model and potentially repro (injection molding). Is that a thing, anywhere? I'm interested in purchasing or borrowing. I have some well worn shells, but the less used the better.

Any help or information is appreciated

 

[Fluffy]

I think people use mostly 3D printed cases. You could ask one of the Chinese sellers if they have a game in good condition if you want to scan/measure it, but does it make a difference if you model it instead of making a cast?

 

[plasticfactory]

Yeah, I saw another user's excellent work on the 3D printed cases. Honestly, used cases will be fine but mine are mostly very beat up, and the closer to NOS the closer you're going to get to original design intent. You can also more easily see things like mold witness marks that help with reverse engineering,

I do need a model as my intent was to injection mold reproductions, if it gets to that point.

Good call on reaching out to the Chinese sellers. Combining your PCB work with repro shells could spare a lot of original hardware.

 

[plasticfactory]

Original post edited, consider this thread a soft interest check.

 

[astro_zombie138]

I would definitely be down for 3 to replace my conversion shells. It would be really cool if it was possible to bundle the labels with them.

 

[kikaso]

Yeah, I’d be down for a few. The original shells are brittle by now.

 

[GC8TECH]

I'd be keen for sure You might want to join my Discord PGM server ?

 

[plasticfactory]

Done, thank you.

 

[raynex]

I'd be down for a couple as I have a few fluffy PCBs left to make some carts.

 

[Chrone]

I'd be in 20 or so. Do you still need a case to model? I'll have to check but I think I have a couple that are very lightly used but still pretty mint.

 

[XtraSmiley]

I'd be down for 3 or 4, but only if not in red. I'd like the repro carts to stand out. Yellow? Green? Purple?

 

[AlxUnderBase]

Interested too in few shells ! Maybe for another printed project (for nvs psu) if you can chime

 

[plasticfactory]

I'd be down for 3 or 4, but only if not in red. I'd like the repro carts to stand out. Yellow? Green? Purple?

Agreed. I specifically want to do a special color/run for the Cave games. Because these would be made in-house, I have a lot of flexibility to do fun stuff with the molds. We have ~200 different colorants in inventory.

I'd be in 20 or so. Do you still need a case to model? I'll have to check but I think I have a couple that are very lightly used but still pretty mint.

Sweet! I'll send you a PM when I get settled back in this weekend.

Interested too in few shells ! Maybe for another printed project (for nvs psu) if you can chime

Could you PM details? I'm not really sure what you're looking for.

 

[kazuo]

If you need clean shells, there are a few sitting in the glass case at Mak Japan. They have tons of those image matching games, look new, haven't sold for years.

 

[plasticfactory]

This is very soft for now, but I thought people may be interested in an update. The original shells have been 3D scanned, and modeled exactly to original specifications. I will (after first sale) post the 3D files on Printables.

We built the mold base, designed the tooling, and have mold insert stock. Tool build will come as actual business activity allows. An interest check will come after we begin EDM machining the mold cavities. Hopefully all will be ready sometime this year.

 

[twistedsymphony]

Man, how am I just seeing this thread for the first time now?!

I have a bunch of original carts with badly cracked cases and would love a set of these for the Fuffy boards as well.

 

[plasticfactory]

The Fluffy stuff is what prompted this I doubt we will ever get an official Cave PGM release, but if everything is done professionally... Who knows?

In any case, this will keep the awesome Fluffy stuff from sacrificing original shells.

 

[GC8TECH]

I would been keen for sure You might want to join and do a post on my PGM Discord server

I use 3D prints at the moment.

Its probably to late to point out there is small differences in the 3 types of PGM shells. SOLID red is different to the clear red, and that's different to the latter clear red cases Like what "Happy 6 in 1" carts come in (Carts that were made late in the PGMs life.). Plus the old and new clear red cases are different colour of red.. its only slight.. but its there.