Last weekend I visited a vintage market. My attention was drawn to the interest of collectors in these small plastics figurines molded in the 50’s. I asked myself what could be the sources of this enthusiasm for these plastic souvenirs that I think are simply a reflection of a period full of optimism for industrial progress. By doing some research, I found the dream of making on-demand …
The molding vending machine Mold-O-Rama is able to produce on-demand and within minutes a custom figurine chosen by a visitor (the machines were located mostly in tourist or leisure places). The fact is that looking at the process of making his own thermoplastic figurine was so successful that there are still avid collectors of these products: :
on-demand plastic figurines
All this to say, that to be able to live the dream of mass customization, optimism and enthusiasm are components that must integrate into its business plan, even if it takes probably a little « crazy » to imagine a molding machine in the hands of the public.
But it’s worth it: 50 years later, the machines are still alive in the minds of technology lovers but also in the economic reality as the owners of the latest machines in operation (about 130 machines in the United States) still sell 1 figure of every 10 visitors and generate directly to the Mold-O-Rama manufacturer’s son an income of $ 800 000 per year (maintenance + new custom molds). A dream that has something to do even run manufacturers and collectors of a product manufactured in real time and involving the client in its manufacturing process.
Hope this video demonstration can create vocations or manufacturing inspiration:
