Naked Science Forum
General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: newline on 23/04/2009 17:08:23
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Has anyone had a prototype made using a protoype company?
I have an idea I want to materialise, I am trying to get a handle on how much it will cost me.
How do these companies work? what sort of budget will I need
All help appreciated
R
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You will have to either submit more details or talk to one of those companies. Have them sign a lawyer-developed non-disclosure form. If they refuse - hands off! A patent may be better. A real patent, not a design patent. No way of telling how much it costs with the details you submitted. But you can start small. Talk to a product designer or industrial designer. Talk to an engineer (or let the designer do it). You can discuss a limited number of working hours and see where it goes. If you don't like the results, go somewhere else. Don't forget the non-disclosure form. Your budget depends on the sophistication of your prototype. The definition of that term allows room for play as well. Is it supposed to be the true first of a kind of a production run (identical to the product to be found in the store) or it is merely a visualization or the final product with more or less functionality? The latter is less pricey. Can still be expensive if it is, e.g. a car. Much also depends on the manufacturing method. Injection molding is inexpensive per part during production, but rather expensive during prototyping (or small production runs). There are some cool methods that allow the making of those parts while not having to make the tools though. A lot of variables.
Let's say $50,000 until you give more details.
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This is more Chat than a question - perhaps you could move it to just chat please?
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A) Don't know how to do move it.
B) Person who asked original question has not responded or returned. This one is dead in the water I would say.