Idea for a product (Engineering needed) - No experience.

fatboypee

Hi,

I've had an idea for a good while for something that needs designing and engineering but (though I'm technical in a software way) I have no great engineering experience.

I know this would need to be designed, prototyped and patented but even getting off the ground would be interesting, any advice on finding someone with the relevant skills who could collaborate?


Thanks

FBP.

Peterdalkey

It now needs to go through the steps of design/ commercialisation. It will need to be designed to meet the following criteria, assuming it has market appeal.

You need to consider protecting your design and Intellectual Property.See http://www.patentsoffice.ie and look at tabs for Patents, Design, Trade Marks etc... loads of great info there.

Other considerations include:
Price point in market, wholesale price and so on.
Specify performance criteria, for strength, appearance, durability etc etc.
Aesthetic design
Material selection to suit above and appropriate production methodologies for the desired production volumes.

I would suggest you approach your local County Enterprise Board and see if they can introduce you to a Product Design Engineer and perhaps a Mentor. You may qualify for a €5000 Innovation Voucher.

fatboypee

Hello Peter,

Thanks very much for your your reply. I'll follow up on this. Thing is I've the idea of possible engineering and design but overall its simply a paper exercise so far..

Will definitely follow up tho.

Thanks

FBP.

Buttercake

Could you get your prototype 3D Printed?

lucky john

fatboypee wrote: »

Hi,

I've had an idea for a good while for something that needs designing and engineering but (though I'm technical in a software way) I have no great engineering experience.

I know this would need to be designed, prototyped and patented but even getting off the ground would be interesting, any advice on finding someone with the relevant skills who could collaborate?


Thanks

FBP.

If your handy with tech stuff then maybe as a first step you might be able to get access to solidworks software. It would allow you to do a basis 3D model of your idea. You will be able to play around with it a bit and see if the idea in your head makes sense.

If you approach the enterprise board then you will then be able to explain your idea to them much better. Enterprise boards are really fantastic to train you in all aspects of business but don't have a huge amount to offer in product design. They may put you in contact with a designer but don't cover any costs for one. A reasonable designer will charge around €50 per hour.

Enterprise ireland oversee the innovation voucher scheme mentioned by Peter. If your idea is reasonable in their eyes it is straight forward enough to apply for the €5000. The only snag is you need to be a Ltd company to apply. Unless you are Ltd already setting up as a company at your stage of development just to apply for €5000 is a big decision and should not be taken lightly.

Take it in small steps. Don't try to make it perfect to start with. The first aim is to get to a stage where you have a very basic prototype of your product which proves to you that your idea works.

Good luck with it.

fatboypee

lucky john wrote: »

If your handy with tech stuff then maybe as a first step you might be able to get access to solidworks software. It would allow you to do a basis 3D model of your idea. You will be able to play around with it a bit and see if the idea in your head makes sense.

If you approach the enterprise board then you will then be able to explain your idea to them much better. Enterprise boards are really fantastic to train you in all aspects of business but don't have a huge amount to offer in product design. They may put you in contact with a designer but don't cover any costs for one. A reasonable designer will charge around €50 per hour.

Enterprise ireland oversee the innovation voucher scheme mentioned by Peter. If your idea is reasonable in their eyes it is straight forward enough to apply for the €5000. The only snag is you need to be a Ltd company to apply. Unless you are Ltd already setting up as a company at your stage of development just to apply for €5000 is a big decision and should not be taken lightly.

Take it in small steps. Don't try to make it perfect to start with. The first aim is to get to a stage where you have a very basic prototype of your product which proves to you that your idea works.

Good luck with it.

Such great feedback, thanks. I've the outline of what I want the product to be / do and some ideas on design but need to sit with someone to flesh out the pitfalls of design and get a prototype going. The unit is mechanical and really at paper stage (about 3/4 different possible designs) so a designer would be very useful..

again, really appreciate you taking the time to reply, I'll look at the 3D printing but in reality the unit needs to be extremely safe (under pressure) so would really need thorough design and build.

Thanks again, I'll update with progress.

FBP.

Nuttzz

Get an innovation voucher and team up with one of the colleges, a friend of mine did that with Athlone IT they have a good plastics section up there

suevic

try downloading google sketchup. I learned how to do a 3d design of my prototype in less than a week its that simple, just follow the instruction videos.