"Nothing sells an invention faster than a working prototype."
Andrew T –inventor
Prototypes
A prototype is an original model of an idea and is generally used to provide a credible representation of your idea and its functioning. Building a prototype is an essential step in the inventing process. Serious inventors always build prototypes. A prototype will make it easier for prospective buyers, investors or manufacturers to quickly understand your idea and the benefits it provides. Prototypes are also used to resolve aesthetic and ergonomic issues and to prove an idea works. The price and benefits of each type of prototype varies from virtual prototypes to pre-production prototypes.
The Virtual Prototype
The Virtual Prototype is a 3D computer-generated representation of your invention. These are great, quick ways to "visualize" your invention in its early stages. These are great for making quick changes in design, color or size. We also offer the ability to show your invention assemble and rotate as well as demonstrate its functioning. These virtual prototypes can be sent via email to buyers, investors, and manufacturers for their reviews and consideration. These are included in our Virtual Package.
The Concept Prototype
The Concept Prototype or "model" is an actual plastic representation of your invention made from a CAD drawing. These are made from 3D printers using FDM (see below) and SLA (see below) equipment. The FDM models are generally used during the development stages to work out design issues. The SLA prototypes are typically much more detail oriented and are typically used for the "final" design. This is included in the Professional package.
The Working Prototype or "Mockup"
The Working Prototype or "Mockup" is a functioning (working) representation of your invention. It is designed to prove your invention works as described and will be an invaluable tool for working out the "bugs" that are inherent in any new invention. To keep costs down, these prototypes will often employ "off the shelf" parts in some type of housing therefore they may not look like the final product. Proving the invention functions as described ALWAYS adds credibility to an invention and is the goal of any inventor. The final design (form) will typically fall into place once you can work out the "bugs."
Pre-Production Prototype
Pre-Production Prototype is an actual, full-scale, working prototype of your new invention. There is no better sales tool than this. It will look and function almost like a production unit. These types of prototypes usually require custom machine work and one-up fabrications and can be quite expensive, however, they always cost less than tooling up for an item and having to buy a minimum quantity of product.
Following are descriptions of some common prototyping technologies that we employ at Develop Your Idea to create your prototypes:
RTV Mold Casting
(Room Temperature Vulcanization)
Silicone rubber is poured over a model and cured. The model is cut out of the hardened silicone rubber, leaving behind an exact impression - a mold. The mold can then be filled with plastic resins or wax to create final plastic parts or wax sider forms for investment casting. Good for some short production runs
CNC Machining
Machining creates a part by removing material. The material may be rigid foam, metal, plastic or wood. Lathes, milling machines and grinders are all used in machining operations.
Metal Fabricating
Bending, cutting and folding of metal is performed in our shop. The shop will also perform simple assembly operations.
Plastic Fabricating
Sheets of plastic can be cut, bent and vacuum formed as per design requirements.
Stereolithography (SLA)
A model is created one layer at a time as a laser beam moves across a bath of liquid resin. The laser's movements are guided by a 3D CAD program. SLA enables a model to be made with high resolution because each layer can be very thin. This means that handwork to finish the part is less than with other rapid prototyping technologies. SLA parts are not used directly as working prototypes because SLA resins are relatively brittle and weak. To make a working prototype, often an RTV mold is made from the SLA model and then plastic or metal copies (investment casting) are produced.
Fused Deposition Molding (FDM)
Instead of using liquid resin, FDM uses liquid material - plastics. Extremely small layers of ABS plastic are fused, one on top of the other, to create a prototype part. A prototype part created with FDM can be made stronger since materials closer to actual production materials can be used. FDM parts are less accurate than SLA parts, however, they are less expensive and are good for reviewing concepts.
