Hi Fastlaners,
QUESTIONS:
Does anyone here have expertise on elastomer materials, or know where to find some? Which plastic/silicone should I use for a product, based on its application? Are there any US-based manufacturers you would recommend for prototyping and manufacture?
I have some ideas about Shore Hardness (A, 20-30ish), but I don't know what other factors I should be concerned with (durability, color possibilities, temp. range, conductivity, etc).
I'm happy to pay for consultation, but don't know who/where else to ask.
I used the Forum search, but didn't find any discussion of materials, Shore Hardness, etc.
I've called manufacturers and offered to pay for a consultation with their engineers, but I'm either in limbo waiting for a response or they've said flat-out that they focus on manufacturing/distributing and don't do any materials advising. In the meantime, I figure maybe someone here would be happy to trade expertise for value vouchers.
BACKGROUND:
I'm Dean, and I'm developing a product for professional musicians (I've worked full-time as a musician for over a decade). The product is validated — it has a handful of existing competitors, but none have the value skews that I'm envisioning. I've made a clay mock-up and have a Step file drafted; now, I'm looking to pay to have some prototypes made but don't know what specific material should be used.
Also, since this is my first real post here, I just want to mention how grateful I am to MJ and the posters here in the Forum. Being a successful working musician can look surprisingly like being a successful corporate employee, and I've drawn a lot of wisdom and encouragement from the Forum over the years.
Thanks for any pointers you can share! I've been a lurker on the forum while building up my music career; now, I'm excited to pour energy into a product that I think others will find valuable.
QUESTIONS:
Does anyone here have expertise on elastomer materials, or know where to find some? Which plastic/silicone should I use for a product, based on its application? Are there any US-based manufacturers you would recommend for prototyping and manufacture?
I have some ideas about Shore Hardness (A, 20-30ish), but I don't know what other factors I should be concerned with (durability, color possibilities, temp. range, conductivity, etc).
I'm happy to pay for consultation, but don't know who/where else to ask.
I used the Forum search, but didn't find any discussion of materials, Shore Hardness, etc.
I've called manufacturers and offered to pay for a consultation with their engineers, but I'm either in limbo waiting for a response or they've said flat-out that they focus on manufacturing/distributing and don't do any materials advising. In the meantime, I figure maybe someone here would be happy to trade expertise for value vouchers.
BACKGROUND:
I'm Dean, and I'm developing a product for professional musicians (I've worked full-time as a musician for over a decade). The product is validated — it has a handful of existing competitors, but none have the value skews that I'm envisioning. I've made a clay mock-up and have a Step file drafted; now, I'm looking to pay to have some prototypes made but don't know what specific material should be used.
Also, since this is my first real post here, I just want to mention how grateful I am to MJ and the posters here in the Forum. Being a successful working musician can look surprisingly like being a successful corporate employee, and I've drawn a lot of wisdom and encouragement from the Forum over the years.
Thanks for any pointers you can share! I've been a lurker on the forum while building up my music career; now, I'm excited to pour energy into a product that I think others will find valuable.
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