Need helping with material for my invention.

[Spikeroo]

Hey guys, Brad here. I'm in the process of inventing something and currently in the prototyping phase right now. The quickest and most effective way I could think of was using tin foil and molding my invention just to get the ball rolling for scaling and modeling purposes. I'm just stuck at a material aspect. I need a hose that is flexible, but will stay its shape when bent. So just a question, where or who do you guys go or talk to to find different materials for your inventions?

 

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[jon.a]

what size hose?

 

[Spikeroo]

maybe a half inch bore. its for drinking out of.

 

[jon.a]

maybe a half inch bore. its for drinking out of.

Try Flexible Aluminum Conduit for a mock up.

 

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[Spikeroo]

I tried that but unfortunately it doesn't support itself. I used a fire sprinkler hose called a "flex head" its the perfect material and strength, but its too thick. its an inch bore and i need a smaller one

 

[jon.a]

I tried that but unfortunately it doesn't support itself. I used a fire sprinkler hose called a "flex head" its the perfect material and strength, but its too thick. its an inch bore and i need a smaller one

gas flex pipe

 

[Spikeroo]

thank god man! omg thank you, im going to lowes and find it. thanks!

 

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[OldFaithful]

@jon.a gave you a great suggestion, and I'll add...simple copper or aluminum tubing. Available anywhere, flexible, and in a variety of sizes. Also check out "flexible machine coolant hose" made with plastic snap fit pieces.

So just a question, where or who do you guys go or talk to to find different materials for your inventions?

I would speak with the company/person that is going to supply you with the item. In another thread you mentioned a "bite valve" and in this one you mention a "flexible drinking hose". It sounds like you are looking at various plastic parts, so you might start contacting manufacturers of plastic parts to discuss possible materials. There are many different methods used to produce plastic parts, but you've got to start somewhere. I would start with good drawings and 3D models of your parts. Get them in front of the manufacturers and see if they can make the parts for you. You will learn a lot from your discussions with them.

You might also look at the materials used in other "food grade" products to build on known technology. You don't want to go through the approval process for a material that isn't currently used in a "food grade" application if you can avoid it...trust me it's neither fun nor cheap. You also want to pick materials that will fit your criteria (admittedly, I don't know what your criteria might be) such as resistance to staining from use, resistance to cracking when exposed to the sun, affect on taste, etc. etc.

 

[MitchC]

If its plastic hire a CAD modeller on Upwork and have them design it, then get it 3d printed using Shapeways.

I had a really good designer who knew all the manufacturing methods and their limitations and how to design for them which wasn't something I'd considered at the time so look into that too.

 

[Walter Hay]

Silicone rubber is available in many types, and semi-rigid yet flexible should not be difficult for a specialist silicone product producer.

A hose or tube such as described by the OP can be made of silicone rubber using a mandril, but for some types of silicone it could even be extruded.

A mandril in this context is a steel rod around which the rubber will be shaped.

Walter

 

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[oldirty]

Check out milling machine coolant hoses. They are rigid plastic, come in sizes aroun 1/2" and can be arranged in different shapes and hold that shape.


Amazon.com: Leadingstar GEN09015 Plastic Flexible Water Oil Coolant Pipe Hose, 6-Pack: Home Improvement

 

[ExaltedLife]

To add to Jon's suggestion you can also get water flex pipe for plumbing. Great stuff btw, eventually it's going to replace copper in every house in the world.

To that effect I actually have a business idea involving that - pseudo-revolutionizing the residential plumbing industry. Sorta. It would be cool but I don't have the time right now. Ah it's so good though...hahaha!

 

[Walter Hay]

Check out milling machine coolant hoses. They are rigid plastic, come in sizes aroun 1/2" and can be arranged in different shapes and hold that shape.


Amazon.com: Leadingstar GEN09015 Plastic Flexible Water Oil Coolant Pipe Hose, 6-Pack: Home Improvement

Might be just what @Spikeroo needs, but he should first check out what kind of plastic it is, because that is not mentioned in the Amazon listing, and it might not be approved for contact with food or whatever liquid is being drunk through it.

Walter

 

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[oldirty]

Might be just what @Spikeroo needs, but he should first check out what kind of plastic it is, because that is not mentioned in the Amazon listing, and it might not be approved for contact with food or whatever liquid is being drunk through it.

Walter

Agreed, this would serve a good proof of concept. I have some of those and they seem like ABS.

 

[oldirty]

Hey guys, Brad here. I'm in the process of inventing something and currently in the prototyping phase right now. The quickest and most effective way I could think of was using tin foil and molding my invention just to get the ball rolling for scaling and modeling purposes. I'm just stuck at a material aspect. I need a hose that is flexible, but will stay its shape when bent. So just a question, where or who do you guys go or talk to to find different materials for your inventions?

To actually answer your question, a very good resource for materials is McMaster-Carr. They have a vast variety of raw material and are very good at listing material properties.