Getting an invention made

Maccattack

Really putting Boards to the test here but...

Lets say one has an idea for a product. How does one go about getting a prototype built and then getting it manufactured in say... China.


A broad question I know but a broad answer will do.

Turbulent Bill

Maccattack wrote: »

Really putting Boards to the test here but...

Lets say one has an idea for a product. How does one go about getting a prototype built and then getting it manufactured in say... China.


A broad question I know but a broad answer will do.

I'll give an example of a mechanical product as I don't know what your field is. Generally you would make a few proof-of-concept prototypes to test if your idea works, refine your design etc. These would not necessarily look like the final product (could be rough 'n ready once they work) as they're only to check functionality - typically these would be hand-built.

Once you've verified the function you might use a rapid prototyping process (or something else) to make a few more advanced prototypes. These would be shown to the manufacturer (under NDA), who will probably recommend changes for volume production. After that, sit back and watch the cash roll in .

If you give an idea of your field (not the invention itself) people might be able to give more detail.

apeofsteel

Maccattack wrote: »

Really putting Boards to the test here but...

Lets say one has an idea for a product. How does one go about getting a prototype built and then getting it manufactured in say... China.

A broad question I know but a broad answer will do.

There are a few additional options. To do what you ask, you can get on to a site such as http://www.elancer.com.hk/main/index.html and pay someone to do a basic prototype based on your design. From this you can pimp it around manufacturers etc. I'd recommend www.alibaba.com as a good starting point for international manufacturers.


Now to do the typically Irish thing and answer questions you haven't asked:

1) If you have an idea, it's worth looking at getting it patented. An initial patent search usually costs around 1k, and a full patent application for the states/europe will cost roughly 10k. From this you can use the term "Patent pending" and you get protection on someone more experienced ripping off your design and killing any chances of you making money.

2) An alternative to producing the product yourself and getting it distributed is to create what's called a "sell sheet", which basically lists the benefits of your product that you show to manufacturers. You persuade them to license your idea and they handle the supply chain. You'll make less cash, but it's far far less work involved.

3) Find someone experienced who can introduce you to decent contacts in whatever industry you're looking at, and get them on board as a mentor. The main hassle of making money on a product isn't getting it manufactured, it's the marketing and branding - getting customers to want to buy it. This is also where you'd spend most of your money.

4) Finally, read "The four hour work week". The author probably got far richer from selling his book than his "automated business", but it has some great chapters on how to determine if there's a market for your product before you bother going through with heartbreaking work, and on how to craft a sell sheet.

Dave
www.apeofsteel.com

thewools

apeofsteel wrote: »

1) If you have an idea, it's worth looking at getting it patented. An initial patent search usually costs around 1k, and a full patent application for the states/europe will cost roughly 10k. From this you can use the term "Patent pending" and you get protection on someone more experienced ripping off your design and killing any chances of you making money.

I wouldnt reccommend this unless you reckon you have the cash to hopefully start up a business and protect your product. It takes alot of money to start with an idea and get it into production. The patent can take years for it to be approved and getting a worldwide patent costs a small fortune.

The competition can still make a similar product or exact same in some cases while your patent is pending. By patenting a product or idea it only gives you the power to sue any competitiors which infringe on your patent (once granted). So more money required. :mad:

Im a Product Development Engineer and see everyday how much tooling, design, marketing etc all cost. It aint cheap to get products from the idea stage to full production. And using China as manufacturer? Sure the costs of manufacturing over there are very low but transport of the product, factory visits etc all have to brought into consideration.

It all depends on what type of prototype you require? Electronics / programming / tooling etc involved? You need to expand more on what exactly what you need for prototyping.

If its a complex plastic housing or part you could consider designing the 3model or get it designed for you and get an SLA Prototype. We use them all the time but the costs are quite high but very quick.

Anyways you need to explain things a bit further for more advice...

Best of luck...

DublinDilbert

Maccattack wrote: »

Really putting Boards to the test here but...

Lets say one has an idea for a product. How does one go about getting a prototype built and then getting it manufactured in say... China.


A broad question I know but a broad answer will do.

As the guys above have said, your always best to do a proof of concept, you might have already done this.

You are best to refine the idea to exactly what you want and even start to manufacture it on a small scale, before sending it over seas. There are lots of places in low cost economies that will manufacture the product for you, but very few will take a real interest in your product and develop it to its full potential. Typically they will get it to what they see as a finished state, then want to run volume production.

what area is your product in? electronic / mechanical ?? or both?

One of the things you could do, which might or might not make sense, depending on what stage you are at, is try team up with people who have the relevant skills to make your idea into a product. You can pay these people or offer them a small stake in the eventual company. Just make sure all sign an NDA...

Offy

Maccattack wrote: »

Really putting Boards to the test here but...

Lets say one has an idea for a product. How does one go about getting a prototype built and then getting it manufactured in say... China.


A broad question I know but a broad answer will do.

1) You have an idea.
2) Do a patent search to determine if anyone else has had the same idea (this can often surprise and disappoint).
3) Market research time. You might have the best idea in the world but if people are not willing to buy it then whats the point in investing tens of thousands (thats what it costs for prototypes and patents) in bringing it to the market? If there is something similar on the market find out how much the market is worth, that will give you some idea of what you can get for it. If there are a lot of companies in the market your idea had better be good. More companies means more competition and less profits. Investors and VC like niche markets so if you are going to require finance it had better be something very original.
4) Put the idea down on paper. If your an engineer you would use 3d models to test your idea (ProE, SolidWorks, AutoCAD Inventor, etc.) and run FEA to find any design flaws before you build a prototype. Next you would do 2d detailed drawing so someone can make a prototype of send the 3d files to someone that has a rapid prototyping machine. At the same time if the product has electric parts you would use electronic software (PCAD, PCB123, etc.) to design the electric system. Start with schematics and then PCB layouts. These also have to be manufactured. If your not an engineer you better find one and if you have to hire a design consultancy expect to pay thousands. Designing a product can often take 2-3 years and involve a team of engineers, programmers, etc. Most of the design costs are associated with whats called 'time to market', once its on the market the design costs fall as very little design is needed any more. Chemical products require a similar approach, drugs are a different ball game, its takes years for a new drug to get through human trials and costs €€€€€€€€ ie lots.
5) Have prototypes build and make sure you get whoever is building them to sign a NDA. These have to be tested to prove your idea works. Debug time. If the product does what you think it will do you have to patent it. The first year costs around €3.5k (minimum) for coverage in Ireland alone. You have to decide what countries you want patents in and they all cost. You cannot get a single patent to cover everywhere, each country requires a separate patent.In year two you apply for whatever countries you want protection in.
6) If you get this far look up Enterprise Ireland. Look for a program like the MWEP. It will teach you how to set up a company to put your product on the market. DO NOT depend on Enterprise Ireland to finance your idea, they will if its good BUT they will want a large part of it at this stage. Write a business plan. No bank or VC will entertain you without one.
7) Find a manufacturer in China if you like, India cost about 1/2 the price though. Sounds easy, its not. Find a distributor or set up a distribution network. Sounds easy, its not. Set up a sales team. Thats easy. Set up logistics, easy but costly. Set up premises, depending on the size it can be costly. Advertise and sell your product.

I design products. The project Im working on since December started two years previously. We hope to have it on the market this year. don't expect things to happen over night. Do expect it to have delays and cost money. Points 1-5 are required before investors will get on board. You might attract private investors at any of these stages but a business plan is required for business loans. Good luck with it.

Maccattack

Thanks for the great replies. The 'product' or idea is for a musical application. It would be electronically/battery operated. It would be something along the lines of a small guitar tuner or metronome/ drum machine (im reffering to the size, not the application ) type thing so there would be a need for a programme to be written.


I have done zilch on it. I just had the idea the other day and obviously dont know how to go about moving the idea forward.

DublinDilbert

Maccattack wrote: »

Thanks for the great replies. The 'product' or idea is for a musical application. It would be electronically/battery operated. It would be something along the lines of a small guitar tuner or metronome/ drum machine (im reffering to the size, not the application ) type thing so there would be a need for a programme to be written.


I have done zilch on it. I just had the idea the other day and obviously dont know how to go about moving the idea forward.

It would probably help to get a prototype made at this stage, based on what you said, you need an electronic engineer to help progress this and make up a prototype....

Offy

I'd do a patent search before making a prototype. To make a prototype you have to have 3d models for the polymer parts, electrical schematics for the electrical and electronic parts and a program to run it. That all costs money and its possible that someone has a patent on something similar enough to ruin any chance of commercialisation. Do you want to spend thousands if there will be no return?

MrPreachan

Offy wrote: »

I'd do a patent search before making a prototype.

Try www.delphion.com for patent search. Its a very basic search without subscribing, but you will see if there is any similar products already patented. As for getting a model drawn up, maybe contact info@3dcadsolutions.net. I'm sure the helpful people there can help!!!!
Seriously though if I can offer any assistance getting a quick cad model drawn up for prototyping I will free of charge, within reason!

Mr. Preachan

Turbulent Bill

Offy wrote: »

I'd do a patent search before making a prototype. To make a prototype you have to have 3d models for the polymer parts, electrical schematics for the electrical and electronic parts and a program to run it. That all costs money and its possible that someone has a patent on something similar enough to ruin any chance of commercialisation. Do you want to spend thousands if there will be no return?

I agree on doing a patent search, but from experience I know that you really need legal opinion to see if your claims are unique. Remember that you can't patent an idea, only an implementation of it, so if the OP has found a better way of doing something that an existing product does then that should be ok. As far as I remember the only restriction is that the invention should be non-obvious to someone in the field, i.e., a minor incremental improvement on an existing device isn't patentable. I'd advise doing a quick patent search of related inventions, but don't rely on the results until you have legal advice.

For a proof-of-concept prototype you could use as many off-the-shelf products as possible to keep the costs down (depending on the complexity) - it doesn't matter if it looks like a box of bits provided it works! The early-stage prototypes are likely to change a lot in the early stage, so I wouldn't bother with proper packaging - just stick it in a standard box. Simulation is generally cheaper than hardware builds, so maybe build a basic program in LabVIEW to show how your concept works?