Quality new Candy Cab production in the states, Viable? Possible?

[Jonmkl]

Jeez, at this rate someone's going to have to go full on "The Impossible Project" and buy a bunch of old factories just to keep these things in existence. LCDs are great and all, but when it comes to arcade games they really just can't compare.. People 20 and 30 years from now should at least be able to see what these games were meant to look like..

Edit: The Impossible Project gathered funds to buy one of polaroid's old factories with all it's machinery and developed their own recipe for instant film just to keep that type of photography alive, just in case you were lost there.

 

[Jonmkl]

So from a manufacturing perspective, does anyone have any idea what it would cost, and what would be required to produce the metal parts for something like an aero table? Not bringing monitor, harnesses, pcb, coin mechs, or controls into the equation at all. Anyone ever worked with shops that can produce something like this?

 

[ReplicaX]

So from a manufacturing perspective, does anyone have any idea what it would cost, and what would be required to produce the metal parts for something like an aero table? Not bringing monitor, harnesses, pcb, coin mechs, or controls into the equation at all. Anyone ever worked with shops that can produce something like this?

Would depend on quantity and if you have a complete design ready to go.

Low quantity would be best sourced locally with the right Metal shop, you also need to factor in finish as well since most everything metal is powder coated.

 

[codecrank]

your first obstacle will be learning to design with a cad software. drasftsight is free and made by dassault. probably your best bet. Copying an existing unit is probably your best bet ( if possible ). you'll need cad drawings of the CRT you'll want to use so you can precisely design the cab. I'm not sure how you're planning on handling bezels as they are usually done with plastic injection molds.

next you'll need to find someone to take you drawings, "post" them ( post processing, aka CAD-> NC language ) and laser cut them. Volume is key, setting up the machines is 90% of the cost if you only make one part.

some parts need bent in a break, other pressed shaped ( like a hat shaped bracket ), you will have to work with the sheet metal shop to avoid designs that are costly to manufacture.

your first unit will be very expensive since it will be a prototype. 1 unit run. you may be able to make a deal to have it made cheaper in exchange for agreeing to buy 20-30 more afterwards.

if you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on this , stop now

anyways, best of luck !

 

[Stellarola]

if you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on this , stop now

anyways, best of luck !

^ This

 

[codecrank]

maybe a kickstarter for an Aero Table kit ? those things are in high demand.

basically everything but the Electronics. allowing people to install either a makvision or nieman display CRT , or an lcd panel.

 

[Electric Grave]

maybe a kickstarter for an Aero Table kit ? those things are in high demand.

basically everything but the Electronics. allowing people to install either a makvision or nieman display CRT , or an lcd panel.

I'm in with this plan. MDF CNC cut and go for broke at less we want to go with metal which will cost more but oh so sweet!

 

[theMot]

So from a manufacturing perspective, does anyone have any idea what it would cost, and what would be required to produce the metal parts for something like an aero table? Not bringing monitor, harnesses, pcb, coin mechs, or controls into the equation at all. Anyone ever worked with shops that can produce something like this?

If you had the drawings and did it in China it would be about $200-$300 each depending on quantity. Expect the sample to cost 3x-5x times that.

 

[Jonmkl]

A lot of really good info here, thanks guys.

$200 - $300 is actually really reasonable, but my head is spinning with all the logistics here. Developing and sourcing all the parts down to harnesses and such and working out all the pricing and manufacture stateside.. bit of a nightmare really. With everything I can't imagine these selling for less than $2000 - $2500.. unless it's just a kit. I do think it could make for an incredible product though, imagine having something like a RECO PCB built in as standard, controller ports for USB, Saturn, DC etc. and of course supporting low and high res games. I also think a super flat Makvision would look excellent in a cocktail.

Not to mention if you did it right you could work deals with shipping companies, most furniture you buy online nowadays has "free" shipping.

The biggest issue is finding development time though, I think I'd have to make some friends willing to work on this one. Anyone know any hip furniture-manufacturers/engineers haha.