Shalom.
How to Turn Your Ideas into A Product Prototype
One of the important steps in inventing process is to create the prototype—that, defined, is the 3-dimensional version of your vision. Creating the prototype also can be the rewarding and fun steps that you will take. That is because developing the prototype will give you an opportunity to tap into your creativity, and using these skills that inspired the invention idea in the first place. Whether you are making a prototype in the home or hiring services of the engineer, seamstress, and machinist, it is very exciting to see that your idea transformed into something real and tangible.
Thus, what What exactly the prototype must look like? Firstly, this depends on the idea. Secondly, this depends on the budget and goals. Suppose possible, it is good to start with the handmade prototype, doesn’t matter how rudimentary. For example, I have seen prototypes that are made from the simplest of household items: diaper tabs, socks, empty milk containers, household glue, you name it. Suppose it works for initial demonstration purposes, then it is as good as most costly materials. Eventually, suppose you choose to move ahead with your invention, probably you will need what is called a "pre-production" prototype—particularly if you are planning to manufacture this yourself rather than license it.
The prototype provides some other benefits, also:
1. You have a chance to refine your design. Definite, your idea works rightly in the theory. It is not till you start creating this physically that you will encounter some flaws in the thinking. That is why another good reason to develop the prototype is testing the functionality of an idea. You will not know any design issues or challenges till you start taking the idea from theory and reality.
2. This can encourage people to take you seriously. you will get viewed as the professional with purpose when opposed to the inventor with the potentially good idea. You should have a clear idea in mind. Once you do that then things will be much easier.
3. It makes this possible to test the performance of different materials. For instance, your heart might be set in using metal—till you test this and realize, for example, plastic performs better at a lower cost for the particular application. The prototype stage can help you to determine the best materials.
4. This can help you to describe the product very effectively with the team, including your packaging and marketing expert, attorney, engineers, or potential business partners.
Developing Your Own Prototype
Now you know that creating a prototype is the important step in the invention process, how do you move ahead and do it? The stage in inventing process is a period of higher learning...and also is my favorite one. I love the creative exploration that the prototyping inspires! It is where your thoughts and words change from " I Can?" to "How I will?"
Making the prototype is a great way you can start bringing the product to life. Keep in mind, they're not any rules! You need to give yourself a little permission to experiment. You can look over your house and select the materials that you may use and test to see in case your idea works out. Suppose you anticipate the product can be made from plastic, there is a great product I discovered that is perfect for creating home prototypes. It is named Shapelock, and this was released in the US market. While heated in a microwave or hairdryer, it gets pliable, type like clay, thus you may mold this any way you want. When dry, this becomes hard plastic. The best part is it is just around $14.95 for a container, and one can reheat this and reuse it again and again. This is something that you want.
Obviously, your product can be made from many materials and range from chemicals or metals to textiles. While using any of the material, open to the alternatives you might not have considered originally. For instance, you are convinced that you would like to use cotton. Suppose it is a case, then challenge yourself "Why?" Perhaps other material may work better, like stretch material Lycra. And how about using canvas, mesh, nylon, and leather, or what about taking the leap and trying a Neoprene? It is a time to allow yourself complete freedom to explore everything. Put aside the original thoughts--you might end up coming to them, at least then you will know you have made the best decision.
Bringing this to Pros
When you have developed the prototype, it is time to think of hiring a professional who will help you with the next steps. They're a lot of avenues you may take at this stage. Complexity & materials used in the specific product can help to drive this decision. The budget may be the consideration-- handyman and machinist, for instance, will charge very little for an hour than an engineer, and the services might be sufficient if the design is straightforward.
Suppose you decide to go with the professional prototype developer, then there are some ways you can find them. I have found a prototype developer at Yellow Pages or the internet because at that time I did not know what resources were accessible. You must also do your own research and consider some new technologies. For instance, when prototyping my plastic products, I have discovered a new method of prototype production, which saved me plenty of dollars. It is the process named rapid prototyping that uses a technology named stereolithography. This allows you to have the plastic prototypes made fast from the computer-aided drawings by a large tooling machine, instead of from the expensive injection mold. Fast prototypes will cost some hundred dollars (depending on the complexity), but they are often the bargain considering alternatives. For instance, creating the injection mold for the product in the United States will cost $10,000 - $100,000.
The prototyping stage is the best time you can use all the untapped creative ability as well as to explore all possibilities available in the market. Never limit yourself to any preconceived notions—no matter whether this comes to the material use or types of the professionals that you may consult—or explore a lot you can when you start bringing the product idea.
Ensure You're The invention isn’t Patented
Because you have never heard about your invention ideas earlier, it doesn’t mean that you are the first person to come up with them. Thus, you must first conduct the patent search. Suppose somebody else may lay claim of coming up with the idea before you, then they will lay claim to money from sales.
* Carry preliminary patent search. You can visit the Patent & Trademark Office site and search if anybody else has patented your idea. Also, you must do it without a lawyer.
* Look for prior art. Although no patent is filed, if any design or artwork illustrations related to your invention exists, then you likely cannot patent it.
Do Research to Ensure Your Idea Has Market
It is simple to like invention ideas or just assume that other people will fall in love too. However, the only way you will know this is by doing thorough research on the market. You can ask what the potential customers want & LISTEN. Knowing what people are keen to spend their money on can give you the confidence to move ahead with the idea. This is a very good option. Once you research well things will be very easy.
Make Prototype (prove your idea will work in the real-life
To next step is to complete the working model of a product. The process is essential to work out flaws or come up with new features. Do not file the patent till you have completed the prototype, says Gibbs. Also, you will not own rights for any changes that you make in your invention just after filing the patent, thus it is very important to ensure you have got the product that you are very happy with.
· Sketch. In order, to start the prototyping phase, illustrate your ideas in the inventor’s journal.
· Model. Create a full-working model.
· Mock-up. Build a 3D model of the design using any of the materials.
File Patent
There’re 2 main types of patents: utility patent (for the new processes and machines) or design patent (manufacturing new and non-obvious designs). Whereas you can start a patent application yourself, don’t file this without the help of the patent lawyer with the right technical expertise. Suppose your invention is worth money, then others eventually will infringe upon the patent. Hiring a proper attorney helps to ensure that your patent is completely protected and you can avoid costly legal battles. When you are sure there is the market, you have built the prototype and filed a patent, next step will be fleshing out the business plan. So if you have a good product, get yourself protected by filing a patent. Once you do that then there will be no problem.
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