What do we know about the manufacturing of G1s?

[Starfall]

I would love to know more about the manufacturing process of G1 ponies.

Does anyone have any interesting facts or stories to share?

I'm especially interested about how the hair was stitched in - was it one long piece that was threaded in, then cut?

How were the symbols painted or printed on?

Let's share what we know, and muse on what we don't.

[Lady.Arachnia]

Interest post! Sadly I have no clue either...so I stalk this tread to learn more!

[daffodil101]

I'm pretty sure symbols were somehow stamped on, I've only heard of prototype ponies with hand-painted symbols.

Some ponies have variations in their symbols-- for instance I think Moonstone has versions with a larger and smaller symbol.  So there might have been more than one stamp made per pony character.

Also some ponies of the same character have slightly different bodies dimensions depending which country/factory they were produced in (i don't mean nirvanas-- just Hong Kong/China releases).  Like flutters and wingers, one might stand a little taller or have a slightly wider face than another factory.


I'd love to know everything about G1 production-- there are some super-knowledgeable collectors out there!  Links to old threads would be great too I'm sure there must have been discussions in the past.  Totally stalking this thread too 

[thecakeissisley]

Great topic! There was also one a few weeks ago called "What happened to the G1 prototype head mold?" http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,367442.0.html

There was also a quote from a thread on MLPTP (link to that is on page 2 of the thread above) regarding the use of the G1 pony molds.

This is an original factory mold used for the very first of the My Little Ponies ever made. The head is made of copper, which you can see in a few places as well as the green bettina it has obtained over the past 30+ years.

The way these were used, is that molten plastic was injected into the mold, and the mold was spun to create a layer of plastic around the inside of the mold. They were then pulled from the molds before completely solidified, and that's how pony parts were made.

[Ember1]

I would love to know more about this. 
I have a few prototypes in my collection with hand painted symbols.
Both have factory weaved hair and plastic holders for their tails. It seems they were probably prepared as pre-production mockups. Showing off the designers ideas to get approval for factory production.
I would love to know more about the prototype process and  factory production process.

[Starfall]

Thanks for responding Ember1!  What do you think about hair weaves? Are they as neat inside the proto ponies as mass production?

Does anyone know why Sprinkles is so ugly?

[Ember1]

Yes - perfect neat factory weave inside the prototype heads but no glue is used on either pony.

[gabumon]

I always share this toy factor tour link because it shows how injection-mold toys and made painted and stamped.  Just like MLP!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp9yEV7pjmY

interesting stuff, I'm sure it hasn't changed much since 1980s

[CloudyGlow]

I always share this toy factor tour link because it shows how injection-mold toys and made painted and stamped.  Just like MLP!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp9yEV7pjmY

interesting stuff, I'm sure it hasn't changed much since 1980s

Thanks for the video, I loved it!  It is really interesting.  Also, LOL that was Simon not Alvin.

[gabumon]

Just found this new one that shows a "haring machine"!
brace yourself for the EYES at  3:00  (sorry in advance)  I bet they use that same tool for the G4 heads though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYIKkqzF_GE

[pinkkittywinks]

Ponies were first made using clay to create a pattern or wax The method used to create a mould which can be reused is lost wax casting.

There are examples of clay patterns, pilot skins and wax models in the nirvana gallery:

http://mlparena.com/archive/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=472237

Love pkw xxx