The ride-on toy manufacturing process
Manufacturing a ride-on toy is an intricate process that requires careful attention to detail. From deciding the appearance of a toy to executing the whole process, toy manufacturing is a highly complex feat.
To get everything done right and to ease the journey, importers must hire a professional and highly-trained manufacturing company that helps them launch their product in the market.
In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to the ride-on toy manufacturing process so that you can understand everything from start to finish.
Appearance design
On the journey of manufacturing a toy, the first thing to do is select the appearance and design of a ride-on toy. An idea well explained is a product half-developed, which means that the clearer you know what your idea is, the more efficiently you can take it to the market.
Remember to come up with a design that is unique and marketable.
The toy market is quite expansive; hence manufacturers need something out-of-the-box to survive the competition. There are plenty of ways to decide on a toy’s appearance and design. It may be predicted by the idea of helping children learn or improving the biodegradability of a certain toy line.
Do not forget to carry out the market research and opt for the design based on the kind of audience you hope to pursue. Without investing in this, you’re just flying blind.
When designing a new ride-on toy, it’s important to have a prototype made as soon as possible in order to test the design and make any necessary changes. A ride-on toy manufacturer will typically use a 3D printer to create a toy prototype.
This allows them to test the design and ensure that it is accurate before beginning production. Additionally, it can help manufacturers to gauge how much material they will need to produce the toy and plan their manufacturing schedule accordingly.
The three factors that play a great role when building a prototype are:
- Determining the mode of production of the ride-on toy
- Creating a mold
- Deciding the materials.
3D structure design
Once the prototype is ready, it’s time to create a 3D structure. Ride-on toy manufacturers can create 3D depictions by using software and tools available on the internet. The structure gives a realistic portrayal of what the toy will look like once manufactured.
Since creating 3D design is an integral part of the manufacturing process, manufacturers can also consider hiring professionals who will produce a more polished model for presentation.
Mold opening
The next is to determine whether the toy should be manufactured in just one piece or many of them. For each one of the parts, the manufacturer or toy factor creates a silicone mold to make multiple copies of toys in hard plastic.
To create a mold, a metal box is filled with silicone that takes around 12 hours to set. It is important to note that silicone molds cannot endure extensive production; hence some toy factory workers create the production molds.
The hard plastic or prototypes goes to a metal form which is then filled with plaster at the midpoint. It can then be removed when the plaster cures, leaving a cavity.
This cavity will be then filled with a mix of metals, like molten zinc, copper, magnesium, and aluminum. The plaster is broken when the mixture cools and solidifies and the metal production mold is now ready. The molds created using these metals are long-lasting and can be used to manufacture hundreds of toys at a time.
Mold sample
Since the shape and quality of the mold outline, the final look and feel of a toy, a manufacturer first creates a mold sample and sent it to the importer or client for verification. The buyer will then highlight the changes if required to proceed further.
Package design
When it comes to package design for ride-on toys, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the package should be easy to open without any fuss. This means that the packaging should be simple and easy to navigate, with clear labeling and graphics.
While the package should be durable enough to withstand a bit of wear and tear, it also looks stylish enough to attract customers. There are a number of different styles that can be used for packaging, ranging from fun and colorful designs to sleek and modern patterns.
It’s important to find a style that matches the overall personality of the toy brand, and also fits in with the aesthetic of the online store or retailer where it will be sold.
Final sample
Final samples are the culmination of a toy’s manufacturing process. These samples are designed to show off the toy’s quality and to ensure that it meets all the specifications set by the importer.
Buyers/ Importers will then check the sample toy thoroughly and decide whether the manufacturer is worth investing in or not. They also outline the necessary changes that need to be done in the final product. Manufacturers should keep those changes and guidelines into concern when producing the products in bulk.
Apply certificate
Once the sample gets approved, manufacturers should apply for a certification process, based on the toys’ industry standards. This process can vary depending on the country or region in which you want to operate your business.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers certificates of compliance to manufacturers of ride-on toys. The toys must be designed according to the ASTM F963-17 safety standard. Manufacturers can view a summary of this standard on the ASTM’s international website.
To apply for a certificate, you first need to submit an application. After the application is completed, the CPSC will review it and may request additional information. If all the requirements are met, the CPSC will issue a certificate.
The certifications might vary from one international market to another. Manufacturers are required to obtain a certificate, depending on the client and the market.
Order
The final production of ride-on toys will begin only when the manufacturer receives the order details from the importer. Importers can place an order either through their official website or by calling the company directly.
Once the order is placed, the manufacturer will then contact buyers/ importers to let them know when their products are ready to be delivered. Importers should line up all instructions and requirements before placing their order, as no changes can be done once the manufacturer begins the final production.
Injection molding
Injection molding works by injecting molten materials into a mold, and then cooling and solidifying them. It is extremely efficient and is ideal for the mass production of products with complicated shapes.
The process begins with resin pellets, which will be heated and melted inside the cylinder in preparation for injection. It is then forced through the nozzle of the injection unit and then passed via branched runners into the mold cavity.
The mold will be opened to eject the molded part once the material cools and solidifies. Injection Molding is a cost-effective way of producing plastic parts with high precision.
Assembly
Once the manufacturer is done producing multiple toy parts with injection molding, it’s time to assemble them to come up with a final product. Assembling a Ride-on toy requires the careful placement of various parts. Pay attention while assembling different parts as one wrong joint can spoil the overall functioning of a toy, thus making it useless.
Packaging
When it comes to packaging ride-on toys, it is crucial to make sure that the toy is safe and stays in good condition. It should be done in a way that prevents the toy from becoming damaged.
Use outer boxes that are sturdy enough to protect the toy from damage in shipping. Keep the packaging clean and free of tears or marks. Manufacturers can also use bubble wrap or some other type of packaging that will protect the toy from being crushed.
The length of the box should also be about twice the width of the toy. If possible, the box should have a foam core to give the toy added protection.
Inspection
Inspection is one of the most important aspects of ensuring quality products. It helps to identify any defects in the product before it reaches the importer/ buyer.
The process includes checking for defects or flaws in the product, such as misaligned parts, improperly manufactured parts, or faulty components. Quality Inspection ensures that the product meets the specifications that were set during its design phase.
Importers should always opt for a company that believes in carrying out the final inspection before dispatching the shipment.
Shipment
It is the final step of a ride-on toy manufacturing process. Once you are satisfied with the quality of the manufacturer’s product and its packaging, inform the importers about the product shipment so that they can collect their order at the designated port or warehouse.
That concludes with the toy manufacturing process. Remember that the ride-on toy industry is quite expansive and choosing among the sheet number of manufacturers can be overwhelming even for the most proficient of importers. That’s where zhxtoys comes into the role.
We streamline the entire process of toy manufacturing while offering consistent support to the importers. Our experts rigorously monitor the toy manufacturing process to avoid common mistakes. We assure you to create a product worth investing in and will get them delivered in time.