Why We Continue to Make Metal Models

## Why We Continue to Make Metal Models

BLDB 3D Metal Model 'Mechanical Dragon'

In an era of transformation, the values of manufacturing are beginning to shift.

The rapid spread of digital technology has significantly changed modern production structures and lifestyles. AI-driven design generation, the evolution of 3D printing technology, and the automation of various production processes have increased the number of cases where design and prototyping tasks, which previously took days to weeks, are now completed in hours or minutes. Improved production efficiency has led to reduced manufacturing costs and shorter product cycles, forming a foundation for the stable supply of diverse products to the market and greatly enhancing consumer convenience.

On the other hand, as efficiency reaches its limits, new social trends are also emerging. The shortening and summarization of information, watching video content at double speed, and the automation of work and daily life have become established, making 'quick results' the mainstream value standard in society. Along with this trend, the actual experience of people moving their own hands, going through trial and error, and creating results is decreasing. As the consumption of ready-made products becomes widespread, involvement in the process of how things are made diminishes, and the sense of accomplishment derived from the time spent on work, the accumulation of thought, and the creative process is becoming increasingly rare in modern society.

Against this backdrop, fields such as time-consuming manual crafts, DIY projects, and precision assembly models are regaining attention. The 3D metal assembly model brand BLDB is responding to this change in social needs by developing and deploying products across multiple genres, including steampunk creatures, mechanical engines, mythical beasts, and architectural art. The brand currently offers a lineup of 349 products, ranging from beginner models with around 200 parts to large precision models exceeding 1,300 parts, and operational aircraft engine models with over 600 parts. High-grade metals such as 304 stainless steel and brass are used as materials, and a glue-free snap-fit assembly structure is the standard.

From the perspective of mass production efficiency, the production and assembly processes of precision metal models are complex, requiring several to over ten hours of work to complete. However, BLDB does not position these products merely as hobby goods, but as content that supplements the experiences lacking in modern society, and continues its manufacturing activities on a long-term basis.

The Objective Value of Time-Consuming Creation: A Complement to Modern Lifestyles

In modern society permeated by digitalization, people's hands-on creative experiences are decreasing, and prolonged connection to digital devices has become the norm. The spread of remote work has extended time spent at home, blurring the boundaries between work and private life, creating situations where mental switching is difficult. This has led to modern life challenges such as decreased concentration, chronic stress, and scattered thinking, spreading across all age groups.

One of the social functions of BLDB's 3D metal models is their effect in regulating digitally dependent lifestyles. The series of tasks involved in sorting, shaping, and fitting laser-cut precision metal parts demands sustained concentration from the user. During the creation process, users step away from digital devices and focus their attention on the physical task at hand. Through a series of experiences—correcting assembly errors, understanding structural principles, and grasping changes as the work progresses—users gain a sense of mental stability not obtainable from short-term entertainment.

According to various mental health studies, focused manual work activates the parasympathetic nervous system and has been recognized to alleviate daily stress. The properties of metal materials reinforce this effect. Compared to plastic models, metal parts require precise force and positioning, where even minor errors directly affect the assembly result, creating a moderate level of difficulty that naturally leads to an immersive experience. Additionally, the unique weight and texture of metal give the finished product a strong sense of reality, allowing users to clearly feel the results of their own work.

Furthermore, metal models are highly durable and can be preserved semi-permanently. Unlike ready-made products that are consumed in the short term, they can be owned and displayed for a long time, meaning the value of the creation experience lasts for an extended period.

Precision BLDB 3D Metal Model 'Mechanical Engine'

Creating Shared Generational Experiences: A Complementary Tool for Family Communication

In Japan, which is facing a declining birthrate and an aging population, the lack of high-quality shared experiences among family members is a widely recognized social issue. With the spread of digital content, the situation of 'living together separately'—where family members are in the same space but each using their own digital device—is increasing, reducing opportunities for substantive interaction. Not just verbal conversation, but quiet collaborative time spent working towards a common goal is an important element for strengthening family bonds.

BLDB's metal models are used as tools to provide collaborative experiences that transcend generations. Through divided tasks, such as children sorting parts and parents assisting with the assembly of complex structures, natural communication and knowledge sharing occur. Mechanical engine models offer opportunities to learn the basics of internal combustion engines, Dragon Palace architectural models provide insights into the characteristics of Eastern architecture, and steampunk models offer a chance to learn about the historical background of industrial technology, providing educational benefits through play.

The brand recommends the product for ages 14 and up, and requires parental supervision for children under 12. This design standard includes not only safety considerations but also the aim of promoting parent-child collaborative creation experiences. Additionally, older generations with experience in manual work can pass on crafting tips, while younger generations can share how to read blueprints and new production techniques, contributing to the transmission of experience and culture between generations. Physical shared experiences, which are hard to come by in digital interactions, play a complementary role in modern family relationships.

Completed BLDB Precision Metal Model 'Mechanical Wing Dragon'

Inheriting the Culture of Manufacturing: Promoting Engineering Literacy and Craft Culture

Japan has a manufacturing culture based on precision processing and handicrafts, but in recent years, the decline in young people's interest in the manufacturing industry and the decline of handicraft culture have become issues for the industrial sector. Creating opportunities to engage with precision manufacturing through hobbies is an effective means of improving the public's engineering literacy and passing on traditional craft culture.

BLDB's product lineup includes many models that faithfully reproduce real mechanical structures in miniature, such as V2 and V8 engines, inline 4-cylinder diesel engines, and aircraft turbofan engines. Each part is designed based on the structural principles of the actual machine, allowing users to naturally acquire basic knowledge of mechanical structures and dynamics through the assembly process. This experience broadens the base of young people interested in science and engineering, indirectly contributing to the development of human resources in manufacturing.

Furthermore, products that blend art and culture, such as steampunk-style creature models, a 3D metal model of Van Gogh's 'Starry Night', and Eastern-style architectural models, provide users with opportunities to engage with art, history, and diverse regional cultures, contributing to the improvement of artistic literacy. Completed models are not only displayed as interior decorations but are also increasingly presented as works at craft exhibitions and hobby circles, leading to the revitalization of amateur craft culture.

Moreover, because users invest time and effort in creating metal models, they tend to be kept for a longer period compared to mass-produced, mass-consumed ready-made products. This characteristic helps curb disposable consumption styles and contributes to the spread of sustainable consumption habits. Additionally, as they become popular as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and year-end holidays, they offer an alternative to uniform ready-made gifts.