How Goblins RND Goblintechkeys x Highway Cafe x Trap Nation world first collectible music fidget toy(The process)

Hi, this is John from Goblintechkeys. Here's the story of a fidget toy design newbie creating a ABS Fidget toy from A to Z. I hope the process brings value and knowledge to anyone who wants to design their own fidget toy.

Step 1: Concept Development

During an in-house meeting focused on collaborating for Highway Cafe and Trap Nation, we brainstormed ideas for keycap designs and decided to explore creating an extra fidget clicker. Our initial plan was to develop a standard keycap fidget, but inspiration struck when we noticed a "Pop Mart" figure and a banana fidget toy on a colleague's desk. Is it possible for us to create a highway cafe girl fidget toy?

Step 2: Fidget 3D designing process

Our inhouse artist(ig: @shades.rachel) began by sketching a figure based on highway cafe girl, the dancing girl associated with Highway Cafe, incorporating her distinctive outfit into the design. Our idea was to use the figure's head as the trigger mechanism for the fidget, with a classic "ka-ching" sound for a single click and an Astro slide(LXNGVX - Montagem Mysterious Game) soundtrack for a long press.

 

Step 3: Concept proven process on social media

We posted the some teaser on Goblintechkeys Instagram and received a very good response and engagement.

Highway cafe girl fidget 3D photos(21k views with 200 likes)

Highway cafe girl fidget chrome 3D photos(144k views with 5.7k likes)

 Highway cafe Girl 3d reel(820k views with 14k likes) 

Step 4: 3D printing prototyping

Since we had no prior experience with 3D printing, our first 3D model took 2.5 weeks to complete, which was challenging given our tight timeline. We then sent the design to Pantoxe 3D @ Pantoxe Art & Craft for prototype printing. Eric, the business owner, was incredibly supportive, providing valuable advice and making adjustments to improve the prototype.  

Resin 3d printing(First Attempt)

However, we initially made the head too large (1.6 kg), causing the switches to be unable to support the weight, even after upgrading the springs to 150g ones. We resized the head to better match the body proportions and improved the prototype accordingly.

Step 5: PCB board design and coding

Upon receiving the prototype, we identified a few issues. The surface finishing needed enhancement, and the body was difficult to disassemble, which raised concerns about battery replacement. We switched to a screw-fastened body instead of a clip design and replaced the lithium battery with a more common CR2032 battery. Additionally, we modified thev figure by applying the switch's stem support directly to the head for better finishing, as opposed to gluing a keycap to the head. 

And we coded the pcb board with classic "ka-ching" sound for a single click and an Astro slide(LXNGVX - Montagem Mysterious Game) soundtrack for a long press.

We also faced challenges fitting the circuit board and speaker into the body, requiring several attempts to achieve the perfect alignment. Finally, we added the finishing touches, including the lips and blushes, and decided to transform the figure from a keychain to a desk display figure!

 

Step 6: Choosing the right material for mass production(ABS vs RESIN)

Choosing the right material for collectible toys is crucial because it affects the toy's durability, appearance, manufacturing process, and overall cost. The material determines how well the toy can capture intricate details, how it feels in hand, and how it stands up to wear and tear. For collectors, these factors are essential as they impact the toy's long-term value and appeal. Understanding the differences between common materials like ABS and resin can help in making an informed decision that aligns with the desired quality and production requirements.

ABS(Pop Mart Collectible quality)

Advantages: ABS injection molding can produce toys with 98% accuracy. It has a short repeat order cycle, and the molds last a very long time. Made from cast steel, these molds can weigh around 800 pounds and produce hundreds of thousands of units before needing replacement. The mold development takes about 30 days and is highly precise. ABS is used for most high-quality figurines and is very versatile. Compared to resin, ABS toys are lighter, hollow, and can have glossy or spray-painted finishes with exquisite coloring.

Disadvantages: The initial cost for mold development is high, the development time is long, and the minimum order quantity is high. (Minimum order quantity: 5000 units)

Resin:

Screenshot from youtube video

Advantages: Resin can produce highly detailed toys with over 95% accuracy to the original design. It uses natural resin mixed with eco-friendly pigments and silicone molds, which are very flexible. Resin toys can have gradient colors, transparency, electroplating, flocking, temperature-sensitive paint, and meet high standards for animation figures. The texture is smooth and detailed. The production process includes machine molding, hand sanding, air drying, painting, and printing, resulting in a very refined product.

Disadvantages: Resin is brittle and can break easily. The costing for single unit is about 5 times from ABS. The production process is slightly longer, and the molds cannot be reused. (Minimum order quantity: 1000 units)

 

 

Choosing the Right Material for Mass Production

ABS vs. Resin

When it comes to mass production, ABS  are generally preferred due to their durability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of production. Resin, while excellent for detailed and high-quality collectibles, is less ideal for mass production due to its higher cost and fragility.

• ABS is ideal for toys that require durability and impact resistance, such as action figures that will be played with frequently. It is also cost-effective and offers consistent quality.
• Resin should be reserved for limited edition collectibles where detail and finish are prioritized over cost and durability. It is best used for smaller production runs where the higher cost can be justified by the superior quality.

To offer high-quality collectibles at an affordable price range similar to Pop Mart blind boxes ($25-$35), we choose ABS material for our Highway Cafe Girl fidget toy.

Step 7: Factory sampling prototyping

First attempt at the sampling prototype from the factory!

While the overall finish was smoother than anticipated, there are areas that still require further improvement, particularly in the finer details. One critical issue we identified is the slot for switches, the switches are only glued in place for the photography session. Additionally, upon inspection, we found that the screw slots were not perfectly aligned. As a result, we have decided to deepen the screw slots to achieve a neater appearance. We then appointed the same manufacturer to proceed on building the amended version and we just can't wait for the improved prototype to be sent to us!

Ladies and gentlemen, here's the second attempt prototype from the factory!

Step 8: Sales and marketing

ABS injection molding will incur significant costs, we will require a 1-month pre-order period, followed by an additional 2 months for production. Customers are estimated to receive their orders before Christmas. Goblintechkeys is committed to ensuring the fidget toy is of the highest quality when it reaches you. If sales quantities allow, we plan to include some secret version fidgets, such as silver chrome(10% Rarity) and gold chrome(10% Rarity) editions.

Additionally, we have an idea to include a super-secret model with a 1% rarity, but we won’t reveal much about it here. Stay tuned!

Step 9: Please support us!

We hope you enjoyed our post on how a team of beginners designed a fidget toy from A to Z. Your support means the world to us and helps us turn our dreams into reality.

For the first batch, we will be producing 5,000 units. Pre-order supporters will be offered a price of $24.99 per piece. The price will increase to $34.99 for retail.

For toy retailers interested in carrying the fidget, please email us at sales@goblintechkeys.com. We will limit it to a maximum of 5 retailers per country.

Designing toys has always been our passion, and with your backing, we hope to bring the Highway Cafe girl fidget toy to life. Our team received a sample, and we can't stop pressing the head to hear the Astro slide song. It’s so cute and so addictive!

Thanks for sticking with us through this long post. Here’s a potato for your patience. 🥔