How are trophies manufactured?

Trophies are synonymous with accomplishments, but do they come to be?

Trophies are built of numerous different parts, all of which are produced in varying ways. Each component are moulded through the processes of steel dies, or using both pressure and high levels of heat. Many of the parts, with the inclusion of the base, risers and its own figurine, are all injection moulded. In order to mould a plastic part, a system feeder is fed a stream of continuous plastic pellets, a process which is automatic. All parts of the trophy are moulded using extraordinary pressure, which is put against a die in a process known as extrusion. This includes the bases, rises and figure parts of the trophies.

Machines are loaded with millions of pounds of plastic pellets year on year, in order to make the various parts of the trophies.

Moulding machines are fitted with incredibly expensive steel dies that are specially designed for the given machines. These machines all melt the number of pellets into a liquid, using extraordinary pressure against the expensive dies, forming the trophies’ base, riser and figure. The dies will eventually form up to 12 components of a single design (this number can vary, depending on the size of the components and the end product). Workers will operate the machines, overseeing the general aspects of the production. A metal stud is carefully inserted into the body of each individual figure, ensuring strength of the components. Each part of the figure (the ankle, the wrist and the neck) may all be a level of thin plastic, which is subject to breakage.

The manufacture of trophies are very intricate

The process continues with the base of all trophies being filled with gypsum, adding a high amount of weight to the plastic. Figurines that don’t essentially have a silver or gold tone finish are effectively now done, being pushed through the machine and out to the other side. This allows for the assembly to be continued at the retailers.

Figures which are set to receive a metallic finish will now be operated on the stamp foil machine. These plastic figures are washed with first a top coat, then a metallic foil. It is then heated and pressed onto the each individual component. The parts are set to be coloured, as well as their metallic decoration. This will be decorated in a similar fashion. Each figures is now moved away from the machine, with the preparation to be boxed and shipped to the specific assemblers.

The columns of the trophies are formed from plastic pellets, which go into a machine. These will then be melted, extruded and formed through a die. As they go through the die, they will be cut to a required length. These are then moved away from the machine, ready for the boxing part of the construction. This will be made from extruded plastic.

Each component will now be bagged through an automatic process, then boxed by a machine, ready for shipment to the assemblers.

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