Ok, may be. Anyway, I am thinking about S2 miniatures from plastic less bad. (Even fine, but I don’t like radical changes) Ok, I am still skeptical! Not much changed, but I am used to new reality :)
We kind of are obliged to pay the price they ask if we buy what they sell, though, and this is kind of an avenue to express ourselves that they have provided, even if they aren't obliged to do so - and CB has kind of asked for our opinions and questions in this thread. Though so far there's very little questions and a lot of opinions... lots and lots of opinions. (And a few material experts who are the real MVP of the thread)
Out of curiosity and because cool werewolf sculpts (too small for Dog Warriors, unfortunately), I've purchased these Creature Caster's Siocast miniatures: https://creaturecaster.com/us/product/the-pack/ I have to say they are very impressive, no flash or mold lines to speak of, insane fur / scar / teeth details even though the minis are tiny (Infinity S2 sized). IF CB manage to get the same kind of results with their molds, I will not mind Siocast S2 minis at all. They cut great, scrape well enough. Very, very impressed. Wonder if @Muad'dib or @Koni can tell if this is the exact same stuff as CB will use?
In the interest of having some actual questions answered, here are a few to throw into the hat: Q: Will the availability of this new rapid technology change the release timing/volume/schedule going forward? Q: Will TAG raid be released using and/or Aristeia be updated with these new nylon figures? Q: If successful at large scale models (S3 and above?) would CB look to this as a solution for S1 and S2 models, too (like fiddler's jackbots)? Q: beyond models and bases, are other items being investigated - consoles, tokens, etc.?
We are entirely happy with constructive criticism that is polite and can accept different opinions in a discussion.
And some questions from me: Q: Is CB considering simultaneously releasing miniatures in metal and plastic, with different prices, like some other companies do? Also, along this line - are metal "skins" considered for Infinity miniatures, in the same way in which we see them for Aristeia? Q: Are we going to see kits which mix the two materials? Q: Are all new models with profiles of S3 and above now going to be plastic only? And is the delay in the release of models such as Long Ya and Shakush connected to the introduction of plastic infinity models?
Q: Will Aristeia move entirely in house minis rather than the plastic? Q: Even if core box isn't done over, possibly new thermo minis? Q: Will TAGRaid be entirely in house or at least in Spain or EU? Q: TAGRaid will be entirely thermo, right?
Q: Will the Siocast models have markings denoting themselves clearly on the new packaging? Q: Will any current S3+ models be updated to the new material? Q: Any plans for weapon sprues?
Skimming the top of the hot pot to remove slag is common procedure. That crap must come from somewhere. :) Spoiler: Deep pot if this is only 2% They have a big ring in the center and feeders to the parts. Sorry, unable to find the damn pictures, but there were some from CB itself in which the useless part was huge when compared to the tiny useful parts. Spoiler: Third party example Yes, I get that. Sometimes you can run worse quality batches because the part does not need to be as good looking, strongs and so on... but I do not think in this case it applies, it's all miniatures with same target of quality. So I would go for constant level of mixing. The sprues are not just 3% of the injected material. Maybe 25%, maybe even over 50%. Spoiler: Solid pipes Mixing is for the liquid silicone, used for typical drop cast of resin (or even metal). Two part silicone or one big part plus activator, then it cures in some minutes or hours. Vacuum and pressure are the methods used to make bubbles disappear so they do not become warts (bubble in mold) or holes (bubble in resin). Siocast molds (as ones for spin casting, just disc vs rectangle) use a rubberish block that is heated under pressure, like plain rubber for car tyres, to make it hard. That is what I wanted to know, how these rubbers flow before & in vulcanization (pressure and heat, neither vacuum nor vibration). Specially when you can see there are two colors (which may or may not mean different properties). Spoiler: Yellow and grey
My comments are less questions and more suggestions/wishes and are dependent on the assumption that material / manufacturing costs are reduced to support them. 1. I’d like to see sets with additional heads and load outs. I think this was resisted with metal costs but with plastic it’d be great for reducing sku’s while adding variety on the table. 2. I think it’d be cool if sets included faction / sectorial themed bases that fit the model. What I mean by fit the model is there are pegs on the feet that align with hole in the base and the tactical rock/debris fits into the base design. Theme packs of special bases can be created for NA2 armies. I know this would be longer term once everything is plastic.
Is the slag always generated during the casting process? I would have assumed that it would be skimmed well before it was sold to CB. Also surprised by the size of the casting ring. Looking at the sprues shown in Koni's original post, I think the sprue ratio on the large body molds are probably 25%. For S2 models, I would expect it to be much higher. 2 part silicone is what I've seen before (RTV). Not really sure the chemistry involved in the siocast mold image you have. I see how the fingerprints would end up in the part, but it also seems like a very imprecise process. I don't think Koni has confirmed that Siocast is the process they are using, but that may be something they could address in the update video.
Yeah, that slag always comes out during the smelting. It's from impurities and oxides that are naturally present in the metal ingots (tin readily oxidises, like a lot of metals).
Slag appears on the top of the melting pot every now and then. chromedog mentions oxides, but I think it also includes crap picked while casting (broken parts of mould, demoulder...). No that I have seen a chemical analysis. I guess you mean the bumps caused while manipulating the blocks, which help with the part aligning to each other. Miniature zone ends smooth, the rest of the surface not so much, as demoulder has to be applied there so the top and bottom parts do not fuse while vulcanizing. Spoiler: Rough vs smooth The hole of the square nut is really smooth, and tne miniature detail has been captured. Everything else keep the tool marks and a sandy surface. Some companies are secret, but Siocast confirmed it in a video, they worked with the Infinity people.
If and when the price of tin will stabilize, will siocast be abandoned to a return for metal for the s3 models?
Q: Will there be an information and perfectly a list of pieces in metal and Siocast on the boxes? Maybe a picture of what box contains added to CB online store products. GW does this, providing not only studio pics but also pics of sprues. This is very helpful in many ways. Like, I need a part so I purchase entire box, then it turns out the part is Siocast - I would be very unhappy about the purchase. Or I need to see if I have all the parts or if the box is mispacked.etc.
On the topic of slags - they happen, but they are also recyclable. Metallo-Chimique, the biggest European provider of tin, for example, works only scrap and by-products (slags, ashes, oxides and god knows what other ungodly substances)
The Store Description of Beyond Crimson Stone already lists the contents as 5 metal minis and a plastic Vostok.
