What are they? I often hear DML bragging about them.
A new technology in molds that allows parts to have more detail molded in along the lengthwise access such as the hollow bore on weapon muzzles, etc.
Not so much new technology as very expensive technology for mold making. I believe Tamiya was the first to begin making some of their molds in this manner when they released the 1/48 Skyraider with hollowed out cannon barrels a few years ago. It’s becoming more common in high end kits, but we pay for the conveinence.
Regards, Rick
They are not really new. Slide-molding has been around a long time. It has recently been used more to give better details though. It has been in use since Tamiya started making one-piece lower hulls. It is more expensive to machine the molds, so it was not used as much in the past. I don’t know if has become cheaper to make them, or it is being used to justify more expensive kits, but it is being used more and more.
OK, but does anybody know how it actually works???
(why do I suspect that wbill76 is gonna know this answer? [swg] )
Ok think of it this way. A hull for a tank, all side details are glued on. The mold is made from two parts, top and bottom. Well with the slide molding, there is top and bottom and then side parts that slide in so you can have details on the sides molded in, and they can be removed from the molds. It’s a bit more complicated obviously, but thats the basics of it.
All I never needed to know…
Those links are perfect Ron. [tup]
Jeez, the name of the process alone is worth about an 8+ on the pucker-factor scale. [:O][(-D]
Ah, I think I get it now. Thanks for your help and the information.