Manufactoring and Engineering

**Doodyps** · 07-14-2008 01:41 AM

So one of my ideas is a sort of "as seen on tv" type gadget. I like the idea alot, but it would be a small plastic and metal contraption, of which I have no idea how to produce. I would need an engineer to really come up with the best configuration, and even then, I don't know how I would get a prototype. Does anyone here have experience with manufacturing a new product or any advie on how to get started with something like this? At least what is the first step or what kind of costs would this entail?

**Doodyps** · 07-15-2008 11:34 AM

Anything? I realize most people on the site are probably more into web/internet business models. Surely someone here has had to deal with engineering a new product?

**jasaunders** · 07-15-2008 12:44 PM

Sure. As you mentioned, your first step is in finding an engineer to develop the product and get a prototype created. This is assuming you have done all the business work behind it and determined its a feasible product that may have some potential.

Find a mechanical engineer. The best source would be from people you know. If you have to, you could use a source like guru.com or another freelancing site. Prototypes will depend on the device and could cost as little as $50 or as much as $100,000.

**roger** · 05-24-2009 07:53 AM

If you finish the drawing, it is much better to get the prototypes first. You can source oversea suppliers to do that. It's much cheaper.

**csahlhoff** · 05-25-2009 10:15 PM

PM me if you need some help experienced in this field of work

**SCJeff** · 05-25-2009 10:28 PM

I'm basically doing what your doing, I created my own prototype though through research and with the help of a student, who was in the mechanical engineering field.

Best advice is to try to create the prototype by yourself, you will save a whole lot of money this way. You need to create more than one however, so you can test them under many different conditions, temperature, breaking point, etc.

How difficult of a product are we talking here, most of the stuff you do see on tv are fairly simple ideas, that you could probably get the materials from lowes or something TBH.