Where do you have your invention made? Resources

[OddJack]

Hello everyone, new member and happy to be here.

Let's jump in right into the topic: You have an idea of a new product. Like the piece of plastic that you put under your feet when in the toilet, or the paint brush cover, or a new baby stroller design...where do you take it? What are some of the resources that you use to have it made or help you through the process?

Thanks,

JJ

 

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[iizu]

Hello everyone, new member and happy to be here.

Let's jump in right into the topic: You have an idea of a new product. Like the piece of plastic that you put under your feet when in the toilet, or the paint brush cover, or a new baby stroller design...where do you take it? What are some of the resources that you use to have it made or help you through the process?

Thanks,

JJ

Most of the stuff can be prototyped by 3D-printing and/or CNC-machining. These are manufacturing methods that don't require high upfront payments for molds/dies, because the parts are made by adding or removing existing material.

Get a designer how can tweak your design to suit the chosen manufacturing method.

Unit cost can get very high when doing small batches, but it is still gonna be alot cheaper than dropping 15-30k on a mold.

Edit: It can be convenient to do the prototype locally. So for Americans there is a dictionary of manufacturers:
www.thomasnet.com

Designers can be found via upwork.com.

 

[jesset17]

I ageee with iizu, the best way is to find a local manufacturing shop that is willing to do a one-off job. A google search for custom manufacturing or new product development (NPD) should point you in the right direction. There are multiple NPD labs in the city I live in, some I have worked for and with, but if you are able to find an individual running his own tools or shop would be the best bargain.

Depending on the complexity of your idea I could possibly help you out as I have experience with 3D CAD design and machining. Also have a friend who built his own 3D printer and is only using for fun/hobbies right now. Good luck with the new product!

 

[Paul Thomas]

From my small experience so far, 3D printing is "easy" and relatively inexpensive (depending on design, complex designs may just not be suitable for it).

 

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[Spikeroo]

Im currently in the process of getting my invention out. I downloaded the software Blender and modeled it myself. Gotta have a built PC to run it though. Message me if you need help

 

[nradam123]

First thing you need is an MVP (Minimum viable product)
In its simplest form an MVP can be a rough sketch on paper, a wireframe or any representation of your product.
A little more advanced form of a physical MVP is to build it from everyday materials.
I am a mechanical engineer (Although I am doing internet for biz now lol) and we used to do this all the time in college.

You can sculpt wood, use nail and hammer .etc to make a good MVP. You can get help from a carpenter. You can use 3D printing if you want. Or you can use something like Instamorph.

A great course that I recommend is the book "Product Design and Development" by Karl Ulrich from UPenn. He also has an amazing video course on coursera. Here is a link -

Ofcourse once you have an MVP you need to pitch it to market and investors (if you need them). Market is the final jury (Not your investors lol).

Another thing you can do is find a close enough product in Alibaba or a local manufacturer. This can also be used as an MVP or directly sold to the market.

What else? Hmm...
If you want to manufacture it in bulk then you need to talk to manufacturers around your area first. Get a measure of things. What material to use, what process to use .etc. You can use injection molding for plastic products, but if you have some more elements like springs, gaskets and what not you need to talk to people what the best manufacturing process and assembly will be. They are the experts, they will guide you a lot more than most of us.

 

[OldFaithful]

Hey @OddJack any progress on your project? Do you have an MVP, or have you located any manufacturers?

 

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