Creating a Prototype

[Coppock]

Hi guys, I had a "eureka" moment at 4 in the morning...

I still need to do some market research but think it might be a go-er providing I can get a prototype to work. I'm not an inventor at heart, and providing there's nothing else on the market and I can make them cheap enough I'd expect it to do well.

How do people go about making prototypes? I can draw up diagrams of how it works etc - but would need to make one to actually see if it would perform the way i'd expect it too... its quite a simple idea but would need to be made out of pvc rubber stuff (soooo technical lol).

Whats' the cheapest way of making a quick prototype? other than doing it yourself?

Thanks everyone
Jen

 

[CLK]

Hi Jen,

Although I can't offer you much useful advice I've done a bit a searching and the following article on Business Link may be of use to you:

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1074299367

I've also done a quick search through old threads which you may find useful:

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=32273&highlight=prototype

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=46181&highlight=prototype

I believe that Calibre Designs, who are members on this forum, have a product design and development arm to their business so maybe worth getting in touch.

Hope this helps, sorry I couldn't be of any more use, good luck with the product might see you on the next series of Dragons Den!

Craig.

 

[Coppock]

hi! Thanks for the links, Ill have a good read

I just made the suggestion to my dad. He's very pesimistic and destroys any idea with 100 excuses, but he's also very scientific and knows the market inside and out... and low and behold he's impressed with it!

It needs a lot of thought and designing, but the general principle is there. So we're both going to do our sketches and ideas etc - meet up on tuesday and discuss them

I'm very surprised he thinks its a go-er, very rare! Just need to come up with the design, make sure it overcomes the obstacles that all the other products available haven't, and ensure its cost effective to manufacture for a decent profit....

If I can do all that along with a working prototype and possible small maunfacturing run then I might be on the dragons den next time lol!

Cheers
Jen

 

[Moneyman]

try these guys. however go speak to a patent lawyer first. it should be free for first advice.
http://www.workingmodel.co.uk/

 

[ProductDeveloper]

Hi Jen,

Patents and market research aside...once you have your sketches you could get these turned into some basic technical drawings and 3D model (CAD). Apart from saving you time and money,from this you can;

1. See if your product can be manufactured under the selling price -including your profit!!
2. See it in 3D.
3. Be able to approach prototype model makers.
4. Be credible to manufacturers.
5. Be in control of the design.

PM me as I run a freelance product design company (Aximo Limited) and would be able to help in the design to manufacture side of things.

Thanks - Kevin

 

[Calibre Designs]

Hi Jen,

Like all "eureka" moments, its best to rest on it and really think through.

Do your patent searches thoroughly to see if your idea breaches any similar designs.

Let us know how we can help (not with searches but with product design, prototyping and manufacturing).

Thanks

 

[Coppock]

Hi, still been mulling over the design... my dad wants to complicate it whereas I'm sticking by the "keep it simple" logic.

In truth I still see heaps of potential... providing it works!
If it works and we can make it cheap enough then it will sell... I guess I sound confident, but my dad's been one of the target audience for 40+years and if he thinks it has merit then it must be a go-er!

I know this is going to be a stupid question - but how much do prototypes normally cost? Even just as a range from £x to £xxxxxxxxxx?

I wouldn't have a clue... we can probably jerry-rig one up as a tester and modify until its almost right...

Thanks
Jen

 

[scologic]

Watch out with patient Lawyers there have been cases of them copying and registerign them to themself.....

get a sound confidential clause doc setup and make anyone sign that you are going to hint to.

If it involves plastics etc you will need lots of money even our friends at calabre for a basic designed casing can cost 2k and thats just the case. Elsewhere casing costs for protoypes can cost double that. 3d modelling design can also cost 1000's. So make sure the eureka moment on the Loo was worthwhile and not .... justa a flash in the pan. Self patienting isnt that difficult.

Also world wide patient costs almost 10k when you add all the geographic areas.

nice to know Eureka has hit - now you need to prove it's design and concept..

Our tiny project took us almost 13 months to design and prototype so good luck..

 

[Calibre Designs]

Depends on size and complexity really. One offs made on a 3D printer (we use Z-corps in our workshop) can cost between £100 to £350.

Assuming its made out of plastic, getting a mould made in Asia can cost anywhere between £600 to £3000. You then have a mould to use to produce a few thousand samples.

The price range is broad as I don't know enough about the product to accurately quote.

Very happy to help and will sign an NDA prior to receiving any information.

Thanks

 

[scologic]

Calibre - you also have the 3d design to do you forgot that fee...(hes says being nice not nasty). Plus first tiem isnt always 100% correct.

 

[Moneyman]

You can upload your 3d designs to a website and they will make it in any material you like.

If it is a working product you need to concentrate on the working bit...not the design side. a wooden box with a few wires out of it are better initially than wasting time on the shape etc. The materials needed often dictate the shape and you will need somone with experience to work on it once you are happy it does what they say. Costs can be reduced by making the mouldings simple and fewer and if you can find a device that has roughly the same look as you want you can use their box (normally the patent is not in the box itself although that can be copywrite). I know of a case where a guy did his calibration device and it was going to cost £30k to make the moulds. His kid had a handheld fishing game that was just the right size. The manufacturer was only too happy to sell him the fishing rod handle box as the stamping runs were bigger. it was cheaper to make for both and they all lived happily ever after.

The moral is: get it to work. then get an expert to make it pretty. But get an engineer before a design consultant. Different and groundbreaking design is very hard to sell. unless you have millions.

 

[ProductDeveloper]

Monyman It really depends on the product!

Engineering and design come hand in hand and the word design is very ambiguous...A industrial designer will produce the concept sketches. A Design engineer work with the industrial designer to develope CAD models and drawings (this is a engineering phase) and Engineering covers a multitude of things ie electronics, testing, analysis.......

 

[Calibre Designs]

Calibre - you also have the 3d design to do you forgot that fee...(hes says being nice not nasty). Plus first tiem isnt always 100% correct.

Our product design rates are much lower than normal company rates coming in at around £35-£45/hr. It all depends on how extensive the project is. We are a small(ish) company compared to many which helps us keep our rates fairly low.

Our workshop comprises of milling, grinding, drilling, moulding and CNC. We have laser cutters and rapid prototyping 3D Z-corp machines.

I personally have launched products for Avon, Boots and L'Oreal using our existing resources.

As ProductDeveloper has stated, the term "designer" is very ambiguous. One can design for eyecandy. Others can design within manufacturing limitations. We do both hehe...

Hope this clarifies things.

All the best with your product development! It's a looooooong learning curve.