Friday, February 20, 2009

Disney Pixar Cars - Frank's Progression and the Drop Test

Here are the latest Pictures of Frank in a Progression from Raw to Painted. In addition to these great pics, I'm going to discuss the "Drop Test" that toys must go through, and how it applies to Frank.

Frank Painted and Nearly Ready for Production

A Look at Frank from the Top

Even Frank Has a Rear End

Take a Look at Frank's Under Carriage

Frank Has Dirt in His Eyes in This Prototype


Prototypes are done to arrive at the best execution of the product. Paint schemes, color variations, scale, and materials are some of the details designers consider when using prototypes.

I was talking to Martin from Mattel about the plastic parts on Frank. I mentioned it would be cool if Frank had aluminum smoke stacks. He brought up the fact that all toys have to pass a "Drop Test." The "Drop Test" is done by dropping a standard toy from a height of 36 inches to see how it holds up. Thirty six inches is the average height of a table a child would play on. To pass the test, a toy's parts must be able to stay on, or be put back on, and not suffer damage where jagged edges or sharp points result from the drop. With toys that fly or simulate flight, the height of the drop is 96 inches. If Frank had aluminum smoke stacks, they may look cool, but they'd get bent up and damaged in the "Drop Test." Therefore, they have to be done in a hard plastic.

NEW Cryptic Shout Outs! Good evening to my readers in London, England! Say Hello when you have a chance.

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