Following a great deal of interaction with the WARMACHINE community over the past week, we wanted to provide more visibility over our manufacturing process and discuss the safe handling of our products. We also have an important update on how magnets will be supplied for the MKIV models in the future.

3D-Printed Resin

Though mass-production using 3D printing is a new process for us, we have been using 3D printing in our manufacturing for over a decade to create the masters for our traditionally cast miniatures. Our team has produced thousands of prints on a variety of printers and understands the process very well. Thanks to that experience and knowledge, we were able to make the jump from traditional metal and resin casting to 3D-printed resin production for the new edition of WARMACHINE, allowing us to realize several goals we had for MKIV, like warjack customization.

While the manufacturing process differs, there is fundamentally very little difference between our 3D-printed resin miniatures and the hand-poured resin miniatures we have been providing for years. Both start life by being scooped from a vat of liquid resin that must go through a curing process before they are hardened and ready to pack and ship. In the case of the hand-poured resin, we use pressure and vacuum chambers to eliminate bubbles from the resin, and a chemical reaction when the resin is mixed heats up and hardens the miniature. The 3D-printed resin, on the other hand, is reactive to ultraviolet light, and the miniatures are fully hardened after printing by exposing them to additional UV light during the curing process.

Our 3D-printing process involves multiple phases. First, the digital file is sent to the 3D printer, where, layer by layer, the print is extruded from a vat of liquid resin. While the manufacturer of our resin recommends washing completed prints for about 30 seconds to eliminate any liquid resin clinging to the print, our prints are actually sent through two separate cleaning cycles: one by hand and another in an ultrasonic cleaner for thirty minutes to ensure all liquid resin is removed. After the prints are washed, they are allowed to air dry and are then carefully placed in a UV chamber to be cured. The amount of curing time depends on the size of the piece, so we group similarly sized pieces together and meticulously monitor their curing time to achieve just the right amount of rigidity without turning brittle. We chose the specific resin we use based on safety, its ability to achieve detail, and its structural stability. Finding the resin that met our requirements in all three categories was difficult, but we’re satisfied we found the right mix to achieve all our goals. We knew from experience we could make parts to a high enough quality standard, but we also knew if we did this process on an industrial mass-production scale, we’d have to rethink our materials and processes for employee and consumer safety and product satisfaction. Because of this, we went with a water-soluble resin for the safest, easiest, and most accessible cleaning. We also had to evolve a lot of methodology to accommodate the difference between printing one instance of a model and printing thousands of a model.

Uncured resin is toxic. Thankfully, it is almost impossible for us to ship ‘uncured resin’; uncured resin is, literally, liquid resin. Thanks to our extensive cleaning process as well as the post-printing curing process, liquid resin is highly unlikely to find its way into any final product. But more important, every single part in our model kits is packed by hand—by a human being. Each piece has been touched multiple times before it is wrapped in protective bubble wrap to go into the box. If uncured resin were still present on a part, it would appear sticky, and the part itself might be unusually rubbery. These are obvious signs that our team members watch for at each step of the process, and naturally, if they spot such an issue with a part, it would be disposed of and not packed into a kit. Fortunately, we have had no issues with things slipping past any stages that would make them unsafe.

While we do our best to prevent any less-than-perfect parts from getting packed, it is possible for an under-cured part to get through. An under-cured part would appear a little more rubbery and slightly bendy. This could mean the part didn’t get enough time in the curing station, but it does not present a danger like raw resin would. If the part appears formed correctly but is more flexible than you prefer, you can simply set it out in direct sunlight, periodically checking the rigidity, and it should stiffen up. However, if you don’t wish to do so or you aren’t able to achieve a satisfactory level of rigidity, simply contact us at frontdesk@privateerpress.com,  and we will be happy to replace the part, just as we always have with any miscast pieces in the past.

In the extremely unlikely event that you receive a model part that is sticky and malleable, dispose of the part and wash your hands. Although resin can be toxic, washing your hands thoroughly after contact should prevent any contamination.

We do our best to inspect each part for cleanliness, but occasionally you might note a bit of white residue on a part, usually around a crevasse. This is not uncured resin, but rather, detritus buildup from the ultrasonic cleaning process. This can be easily removed with a light application of isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab or brush, and it also covers easily with a primer coat. Again, however, if you do not wish to clean this yourself and find it problematic or are unable to remove the residue, contact us at frontdesk@privateerpress.com, and we will be happy to replace the part.

When it comes to working with our 3D-printed resin models, the same rules apply as we have always had for our hand-poured resin: use a respirator when sanding and a wet sanding technique to avoid any particle inhalation; wash your hands and clean your work area after handling bare resin. And although fully cured resin is safe to handle, always avoid getting it into your mouth or eye.

One of the many benefits of 3D-printed resin is that it does not need to be washed before priming. The outdated practice of washing parts comes from the need to remove the mold-release agent from the model, which could interfere with paint adhering perfectly to the model. But where there are no molds, there is no release agent. So, no washing necessary!

Magnets

Our warjacks have been designed for customizable loadouts by creating sockets in the arms, heads, and bodies of the warjacks where small magnets can be easily glued. Our original intention was that these magnets would be included in all starter and warjack model kits. However, we have recently learned that in many countries outside of the United States, there are consumer protection laws that prohibit the inclusion of small, high-powered magnets in toys and model kits because of the dangers the magnets pose to small children in the event they are swallowed. In compliance with these laws and out of an abundance of caution, we will not be including the magnets in the kits but will instead offer them as a separate, paired product, with the magnets contained in child-resistant bottles for an increased measure of safety.

It is paramount that we make the magnets as accessible as possible for our players. Your warjacks depend on it! To ensure their availability, all starters and warjack model kits will be ordered as a bundle of two separate SKUs: the model kit and the magnet pack. We have adjusted the pricing on the kits so that there is no additional cost. The starters that were previously advertised as $199.99, for instance, have been reduced to $192.99 in order to make room for the Starter Magnet Pack, which will be priced at $6.99 and contains all the magnets needed to magnetize both warjacks in any starter set. We will make sure retailers and distributors order the model kits and magnets in pairs, ensuring that even though they are offered as two different products, they will always receive them in the same numbers, and their customers will not have to look elsewhere for the magnets.

For those who have ordered the preview battle boxes, whether you are ordering internationally or are in the U.S., your order will arrive with the magnets packaged separately from the model kits and in the child-resistant containers. While magnets can be fun to play with, it is important to handle the magnets with care and ensure they are safely out of reach of small children at all times.

Making this adjustment to our packing process has required sourcing new packaging and printing labels, which has added a few days to our production of the preview battlegroups. They should start shipping later this week.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding any Privateer Press products, please contact frontdesk@privateerpress.com, and we will reply at our earliest opportunity.