low cost ways to prototype your invention

Copyright 2014 - All Rights Reserved August 25 th, 2014 www.inventorsworkshop.us

Low Cost Ways to Prototype your Invention


Prototype Options• Don’t spend much money on the prototype until you

have demonstrated that it works, is unique and is potentially marketable.

• Make as much as you can yourself to reduce costs in the early development stage.

• Use friends and family to help.• Make sure anyone that helps make the prototype

signs a non-disclosure agreement.


Low cost concept models• Hobby Shop products: Styrofoam, foam board,

plastic, balsa wood, glue, and metal parts, auto body bondo filler, plaster.


Buy off the shelf parts to build your prototype

• www.thomasnet.com Searchable database for products and companies.

• www.mcmaster.com McMASTER-CARR on-line industrial supply catalog to aid in prototype development.

• www.a-aelectric.com Electronic components (switches, lights, controllers, etc.)

• www.radioshack.com Electronic components• www.designnotes.com Electronic hardware• www.emachineshop.com Site where you can design, price

and order customer machined parts on-line. Free 3D modeling software.

• www.usplastics.com Plastic products and materials.


Photo Rendered CAD Model• Develop a photo rendered CAD model of your invention as a

low cost way to show potential licensees what your final product would look like.

Source: Models from www.alibre.com - Customer’s that have used their software


Machined Plastic Proto Models• Stock plastics are readily available in a wide

range of sizes: stock sheets of various thicknesses, bars and tubing of various diameters, and rectangular stock of various lengths and widths.

• Common plastics that are difficult to glue are: nylon, acetal, polyethylene, & polypropylene.

• Common plastics that are easy to glue are: acrylic, ABS, PVC and polycarbonate.

• PVC and polycarbonate are easy to machine utilizing common cutting tools such as a drill press, lathe, milling machine and CNC machining centers.


Options for plastic molded parts

• Rapid prototypes from 3D CAD models:– SLA (Stereolithography Apparatus)– SLS (Selective Laser sintering)– FDM (Fused Deposition Model)– 3D printing– LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing)

• Silicone mold (quantities of <50)• Aluminum single cavity prototype tool

(quantities up to 5,000)• Steel multi-cavity production tool

(quantities >5,000)


Source: Castle Island’s Worldwide Guide to Rapid Prototypinghttp://home.att.net/~castleisland/rp_int1.htm

Rapid Prototype Comparison


Silicone Rubber Prototypes

• How-to video: www.plasticprototypes.net

Process that utilizes silicone molds and 2-part resins that set up at room temperature. This can be done at home. You just need 1-model of your prototype that you cast in silicone, separate into two halves and then fill w/2-part resin to cast a part. Molds can be re-used for small quantity runs. Part cures over night.


Plastic Prototype Resources• www.3dsystems.com Rapid prototyping equipment.• www.spectrumplasticsgroup.com/ Full service prototype supplier.• www.3dimensional.com Full service prototype supplier.• www.auburnplastics.com Full service prototype supplier• www.quickparts.com Can download CAD files and get instant quotes on

rapid prototypes (SLA/SLS/Urethane or short run molds).• www.ems-usa.com Rapid prototype and 3D scanning services.• www.usplastics.com On-line catalog of off the shelf plastic parts.• www.protolabs.com Rapid injection molding. Instant quotes on-line.• www.plasticprototypes.net How to make low cost plastic prototypes using

silicone molds.• www.shapelock.com Low temp plastic for easy home modeling of

prototypes by hand.


Metal stamping options

• Complex parts can be made using sheet metal, bar stock that can be bent and/or joined to other parts by welding or screwing.

• Fabricators can sheer the metal and cut complex shapes utilizing wire EDM, laser cutters or water jet cutters.


Options for machined metal parts• Use of local machinists.• Use of www.emachineshop.com Site

has free downloadable 3D CAD software that lets you design your part and upload it directly to them for costing. They can CNC machine, screw machine, wire EDM, etc.


More details on this process are available in my Book

INVENTOR’S WORKSHOP – HOW TO DEVELOP AND MARKET YOUR INVENTIONS. $2.99 Kindle, $6.08 Audible, or $9.99 Paperback available on Amazon or www.inventorsworkshop.us Practical guide showing inventors how to develop, prototype, protect and market their inventions. Bob is an engineer with over 25 years experience developing and marketing products. He used his corporate and entrepreneurial experience to develop this step by step guide to help fellow inventors develop their products using a "boot strapping" approach. This helps inventors to successfully develop and market their inventions without breaking the bank. It includes several inventors resources as well as details on companies looking for new products. Inventor's Workshop is a "take action" guide to turning your ideas into successful products.


LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER!THIS INVENTORS WORKSHOP PACKAGE COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE!! Do you have an idea for an invention and want to know how to develop and market it to make money? I have put together a Special Inventor's Package available for a LIMITED TIME ONLY for $19.99 which includes my eBook “Inventor’s Workshop – How to Develop and Market your Inventions” as well as a 1hr. training video and 103 slides that support the eBook. These slides further clarify the process and provide additional tools and resources to help develop, market and make money from your invention. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT SATISFIED. http://inventorsworkshop.us/inventors-workshop


About the Author• Bob Schmidt has a BSME from Lawrence

Technological University, an MSA from Central Michigan University, and has over 25 years experience in development, sales and marketing of fuel & propulsion systems for powersports, automotive and military applications. He currently uses this experience to represent several companies to market their products and services in the US and Europe under Schmidt Products, LLC. Bob also develops new consumer products and has five patents, several patents pending and three trademarks. Products developed by Bob include: Hitch ‘N Plow®, Spot ‘N Hitch®, and PolarPint®.


Contact Details

Bob SchmidtEmail: [email protected]

Website: www.inventorsworkshop.us

low cost ways to prototype your invention

Business