Prototype manufacturing

[Briansol]

Anyone have any leads on a place that can build a prototype (read: not 999 min qty) run of a product? Medium would be mostly plastic and cottons/fibers.

 

[|Chaz|]

D'ug?

 

[totalburnout]

I was with you until the fibers and cotton. None of my shops do that sort of work.

By build you a prototype are you expectations that you give them an idea and they build it for you or that you give them a design, a drawing, and ask them to build it?

 

[CRX-YEM]

For the plastics if you can generate a 3D model in Solidworks/ProE etc.. you can use a rapid prototyper like Proto Labs : Fastest Provider of CNC Machined and Injection Molded Parts they have capabilities to mold plastics and rapid CNC

 

[Briansol]

The fibrous material will be more of an 'insert' inside the plastic container.

The idea is to have a physical item so that it can be shown/pitched at trade shows, etc.

 

[totalburnout]

The fibrous material will be more of an 'insert' inside the plastic container.

The idea is to have a physical item so that it can be shown/pitched at trade shows, etc.

Understood on the second part, but the question is are you doing the design work or is the shop.

There's generally two types of shops out there;

Design work shops that have engineers on staff that will draft whatever you would like them to draft

or

Made to spec shops. They take your (or your engineer's) drawing and make that exact item to the specs that you provide them.


Most made to spec shops will be capable of making whatever your heart desires - but you would have to have the design work completed for them.

 

[Briansol]

I'll try to cad it, but I doubt my skills in it... so we'll see what comes up.

This is all just posturing for now.... trying to figure out if its worth the time

 

[Matts96HB]

I'll try to cad it, but I doubt my skills in it... so we'll see what comes up.

This is all just posturing for now.... trying to figure out if its worth the time

If you have measurements, I can model it in SolidWorks for you and create some technical drawings.

 

[awptickes]

And I can probably print it.

Let me know.

 

[newb]

I highly suggest you present your idea on proprietary drawing, if you deal with any shops. Not sure if you already knew that, but thought Id throw it out there.

Vague, napkin drawings can put you in a Winklevoss boat in a hurry.

 

[Briansol]

Yup, i'm aware of people stealing ideas.

The idea actually isn't even mine... the new girl i'm seeing has a pretty solid idea that I think has potential but don't know much about the market. It's at the point now where one needs to 'exist' to go any further with the idea.

 

[Jeef]

Can you make a crude prototype on your own to test the idea? Like using some thick paper or cardboard to get you a basic design, then glue your fabric to it. You should watch Everyday Edisons to get some ideas of the process. I haven't watched a full season of it but it gives some ideas of the process of getting an idea to market. I would have a nondisclosure agreement signed with anyone you bring the idea to.

 

[Briansol]

Yeah, she hasn't even told me all the details yet! ha! She's looking into a patent right now

 

[awptickes]

I'll sign an NDA. I can't afford to lose my business to an NDA violation.

 

[Briansol]

non-compete would be the better form.

 

[awptickes]

Whatever you want/need.

 

[Briansol]

We're planning to meet up after the holiday for a scrum session i'll see what more details i can get you

 

[phunky.buddha]

Produktworks Design