Here's the response from Ricks:

This is the kind of badges Rick's produce:

 

Ra Eight & Raz,
Did Maurovella get the required info needed to have some samples made while in Columbia? If not, we are going to miss out on a good opportunity for a good quality at a reduced price product........

 

I'm thinking of joining.

Yes, I do this for a living. If you're a phantoms fan and go to any of the games, you'll see my work on the Jumbotron screen. I'm a 3D & Motion Graphics artist working for Comcast Spectacor at the Wachovia Center. We do all the in-house game graphics, as well as corporate videos, commercials, etc. I've been working in 3D for about 6 years now, with computers for about 13 or 14 years.

Checking out the new post now... :-D

 

The DXF is available in the zip - I dunno if he took it or not. If other formats are needed people can let me know.

 

I Just got it. Like I said, I'm going to Colombia next week, as soon as I get there I'll give it to one of the engineers and tell him to quote around our providers. I think I can get something 2 to 3 days after that.

I read people talking about curvatures and stuff and if that it the case I have to know that too. IMO I don't see any need for that, but I'm no expert.

Let me know, and again, PLEASE PM me also.

 

I made an R, X, -, and 8 in a font program that I feel is pretty darn near accurate, if it would be of help to anyone for this project.

 

OK, Maurovella I am glad you got it in time. I am sure that you will be able to get a better price in Columbia!

I have requested production price quotes from 3 different manufactures. Each offer different "deals"; one requires a min of 500 for 1st run production, while one other will do 1 & 2 at a time. When I get back the price quotes from the 3 companies I will post the info that i found so we can compare it with any other price quotes that are obtained.
I attached a pic of a sample from one of the companies I am talking to to show the quality of work. Let me know what you think.

 

Thanks for your hard work!
The sample you provided looks pretty rough (don't you think?).
"I think" most of us would like "at least OEM" quality...

Once again, thanks for your help!
Al

 

EyeBall Fixer,
The photo was re-sized and degraded from the original file in order to get it below the 100kb max size a lowed. I can e-mail you a better quality pic if you like. With that being said I am sold on that manufacture by no means, but they can do the beveled look that I think most everyone would appreciate. I am with you when it come to quality- the closer we can come to the OEM likeness the better.
Just providing some info on my part and I thank you for your feedback.

Regards

 

damn thats awesome sample of work there!!!

In response to the curvature thing, the emblem needs to lie flat on a curved surface. This involves it being warped to a degree. I don't know how much though, since I haven't had a chance to make measurments. Also, the final size of the emblem would depend on the scale at which it needs to be produced to cover the holes. If anyone has debadged their car and has their old emblems still, easieast thing to do would be to put a ruler accross the back, and measure the height of the gap between the ruler and the emblem at the highest point of the curve. That combined with the actual height of the emblem will give me all that I need to know to warp the model sufficiently for the end result to rest nicely on the surface of the nose or tail. I'm guessing by looking at the hood of my car that the curvature is about 1/16 or more at the maximum in the approxiamately 3 1/2 inches of height the emblem covers. Thats enough of a curve to make it so if the emblem is machined flat, it will stick up almost 1/8 at one end when its flush the other end. I don't think too many people will want that. If the curvature is similar on front and rear then one emblem should be enough to replace both. Otherwise, probably two versions are necessary.

 

Of course if its flexible enough I guess that wouldn't be a problem, but I can't see a metal emblem flexing that much. If its plastic, and thin, maybe, but the bevel is going to add a lot of rigidity even to a thin molded plastic piece.

 

Where are the debadged guys/gals at? Is the front and read flying W the same emblem, are they curved or do they lay flat, etc...? Please do not make me go buy a set just to get the info.....with 2,188 views of this thread we are still lacking some info. Come on folks help us to help you!

 

Hey Folks
I just did a quick measurement...and it appears that the front and rear badges are the same size....approx 3" x 4".....front one looks like it might even be laying flat......I think they are interchangeable...but if someone could actually look the parts up from Mazda we would actually see if they are...hope this helps!!! I definitely like the 3D look.....something flat wouldnt suit the car at all....

 

Rear flying M emblem debadge here so I'll describe mine.
From left to right (side to side) of the emblem, it seems to lay flat.
However from the top to the bottom there is slight curve, it does not lay flat. The center bows out a bit from the top and bottom of the emblem.

Are you aware of where the pegs are located on the rear flying M? Also there are numbers on the back of it so I'm going to type those here. I have no idea what they mean but here goes:
F152 51 731 on one side, then >ABS< on the other side and the numeral 1 to the right of that.

 

We should make a list of everyone who will buy one, might help when talking to the manufacturers.

 

sign me up

 

Depending on cost and final result, sign me up!

 

I think these two threads should be merged together...

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...d=1#post913181

 

man that's nice.

 

I was just thinking....
What about a solid design with the 8 etched out of the center of the rotor shape? That would eliminate the problem with resizing the logo to fit the mounting holes, and I'd think it would be a bit easier to machine.
I'm still in either way.

 

I got another response from Rick Hesel himself. As you can see, we'll need at least 100 folks to commit, but we'll take names as soon as designs are finalized. Rick's is still an option. Maybe if we can get a solid quote from our other resources, we can compare, and make a decision.

Cheers!
Ra

 

I have been in contact with the following 3 companies in order to obtain price quotes and additional details:
http://www.miladisplays.com/autonameplates.htm
http://www.motorheadjewelry.com/customtg.html
http://think3d.biz/index.php

I have received the first price quote from www.think3d.biz who supplied the following price quote:

"Thanks for your inquiry about producing the RX8 emblem.
My pricing is on the Info page at http://think3d.biz in your case $40.00 each plus $200.00 CND Set-up. If I'm the low bidder then I'd be able to deliver the first 100 in 8 to 12 weeks.

Regards, Tom"

Guys and Gals, take a look at each of the companies who offer sample pics, pricing and additional info and let us know what you think. I will provide the feedback info once I have received it.

Cheers!
RX8Pusher

 

I'd have to say that

http://think3d.biz/index.php looks like a good bet, what do the rest of you think?

 

yup think3d looks good just let me know when to give up the MONEY :D

 

I have to agree. I'm in as long as there would be a gold plated version available. :D