I would suggest learning how to build your own prototypes. Especially if you are going to be doing the inventing thing for a while. If it is anything structural, mechanical, or even a combination of the 2, you should be able to build it yourself. You will get better and better doing it with each new invention. Not only will this save you money, and less people seeing your invention, but you will come to understand your invention even better. Nearly always, as you build your invention, you will (during the process) see many ways to improve such.

Unless it is electronic, you should be able to build a working prototype yourself. Most of the world renowned inventors like Edison, the Wright brothers, Kearns, Graham, have built their own prototypes.

It helps keep your invention secret longer, saves cash, helps you to better understand and teach your invention better to your patent attorney (if your have one).

cody

yes i built my own for the Atlanta auditions . it is electronic . and it worked i was looking for someone who has had one made professorially. and who they used and an idea of price.
i`m able to mold and make really just about anything i need. i`m able to draw seeing how i had mechanical drawing in school

i was just looking for something better to send out to companies.

thanks for the input

I see. For the most part though, when you get to that stage, you are not talking about prototypes anymore. You are talking about the actual product. Many times, the cost of tooling alone keeps many inventions off the market. Thus, generally, if you want the real product, you may as well consider selling the invention yourself rather than licensing it….

Hope that helps.

yea your right it would seem that it would be more of a finished product.

no i dont have the scope of selling it myself.lol

My group is using Mark Deadrick of 3dyn for our prototypes on 2 of our products. He has done CAD drawings of them so far and he will then use injection molding to create one of them.

We just had a Webinar conference with Mark and Eva and Mark gave us detailed explanations of the designs that he came up with and the adjustments that he made.

Mark Deadrick is a really nice guy and I’m sure he’d be able to give you a free quote for a prototype.

Mark and Eva will be taking our products to a trade show in a week from now!

Patrice

did you have him sign anything up front? if you dont mind could you send me a link or site to contact him?

thanks ..by the way are you hiding these days ? have not seen you around much?

Robert,

Just type in Mark Deadrick in the “people & groups” section and send him an email. I am using Mark and Eva’s services combined so we did sign a contract that they will get a % of our licensing deal provided we land one because of Eva’s networking skills. If they don’t land us a deal then they don’t get paid.

Now, that is our deal with them and they might work differently with different people. It’s all on a case by case situation.

You’d have to just talk to Mark about it. He’s very nice and very professional.

I have been laying low lately and trying to avoid the gun fire. It seems like it’s clearing out now, hopefully.

Patrice:

Gunfire is a gracious way of putting it.

Take care.

Good Luck To All!

I too have used Mark Deadrick at 3dyn.com to make my prototypes of my second invention for sleep apnea.
He is very professional, had all my prototypes done and
sent to me within one week.

Mark is also very reasonable in his prices.
A very nice person. I peronally recommend 3dyn.

First question:

Do you own a lot of tools? If so, get cracken.

I got a bench grinder for christmas 41 years ago when I was nine so tools are a part of my life, but I still wanted to make a functioning prototype for a complex shape. I found a number of prototype companies on the web that I have requested quotes for Stereolithography. One was Fineline Prototyping in Raleigh, NC and the other was Solid Concepts in Valencia,Ca.

Remember to get a Non-Disclosure Agreement from them first. Both had no problem signing my agreement.

I uplaoded slt. files to them that I converted from AutoCAD 3D drawings. They reviewed and provided quotes. If you can provide your own 3D computer models I am sure you can keep the fees down.

The cost (a couple of years ago) was around $1800 for a item that had an inside and outside and would fit in a 12"x 12"x 12" box (limit for most Stereolithography models).

The finish and materials make a difference. I requested a clear material with a nice finish so it cost more.

I wound up building non-functioning, non-clear prototypes myself for I had several models to build and $1800 each adds up fast.

If you have a small simple item and can provide a AutoCAD model I image you could get something decent for less than a thousand dollars.

maybe i`m used prototype instead of finished product. i had a prototype at the Atlanta audition , it worked and showed what i wanted but i think it could be better by a professional thats all.
i`m just not sure how or what to do to keep them from running with the idea.
also i dont want to spend 10 grand on a 5 dollar item.

Robert,

You need to have them sign an Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA.
I beleive there are some links to examples if you search this forum for Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA.

If you come up empty let me know.

Robert,
I did a quick search and found some sound advice in one of Sir Edward’s posts. If you are unsure of the language within some examples you obtain, his advise is prudent.

“For NDAs, your safest bet is to have them written by an attorney or at least proofread by an attorney. Your best bet might be the same as your safest bet, or not. There are a number of actual NDA/Confidentiality Agreements available online, and if you find one you like you can always edit the relevant details. Here’s a little something to assist -

http://tr.im/FreeForms"

mark thanks for the info ttyl

Robert, you can also try protomold, you can upload a file in .IGES format and they will give you a quote, it is for injection molding. the molds run as little as i believe 1500 dollars or so(not exactly sure on the figure but less than 2000. The cost depends on the size of the part, the materials needed, and the initial number of parts needed. It doesnt cost anything to get a quote and can give you a good idea. once you have the quote you can price for any number of pieces, the more the cheaper so initially if you only need a few it might cost a few grand, but if you then want more the cost per piece goes down. try protomold.com.

Shawn

thanks i`ll check into it

F.y.i.

No spamming. Do not use the forums to promote your invention services. If you have invented a product, it is OK to promote that.

Do not post requests for technical support. Visit http://support.edisonnation.com for support requests.

sebastion

i could be wrong but its not spamming if i “ask” for the info!

sebastion

though you might have me on the posting of a tech question.. but this came before the rules and it would be grandfathered in i would think

Regardless of the relatives, the new policy is not without merit.

I don’t care to ‘have you’ on anything.

Are you sure it’s badone, and not dabone?

Seb, are you the same Seb that posts on Inventright?

sebation

maybe its me , but i think i take your last post wrong? expain then i will decide. after all i did start this post and ask for info not a hard tme or to have someone who gave me info a hard time.
if this post was not fitting “per” the new rules i`m sure it would be deleted and i would have no problem with that, if in deed that was EN`s stand on it

Good Morning Robert. Let’s stay positive and ignore the
negative. Have a great day. :))

I wish you good work Robert.

I think I called you a bone, is that so bad?

Hi Toni, what-what?

Seb, I was asking if you were the same Seb that posts
on the Inventright Forum?

seb

its all good.

have a great day and good luck with the searches .ttyl

Yes Toni.

Thanks Seb, I do read your posts over at Inventright, that
is why I asked. :)

Infamy.

Not you Seb…lol

Seb is right… Robert, you can ask for advice and resources. And other inventors are more than welcome to recommend resources they’ve used. Where we draw the line is when you promote your service or the service of a business partner, which is what the poster in question did. I just removed it.

Hey Robert,
Assuming that your idea is a tangible part, you could start with clay, wood, metal etc. from the convenience and privacy of your own home. Doing so is often a more affordable, although sometimes time consuming approach. Should you later want to make multiple samples of your idea, you might end up having to make each one from scratch if you can not mold them.

If you decide to set a budget aside for a 3d print aka rapid prototype, you will need to have an industrial designer/mechanical engineer create 3d CAD which will then be sent off to a 3d printer. The beauty of having CAD is that you can then create multiples of your part on demand. If you need more info, feel free to msg me. Good luck!