Why is it extremely Essential to have a Prototype? - Startup Knowledge | Starting a Startup - Entrepreneurship PDF Download

Creating a Prototype

What Should a Prototype Look Like?

So what exactly should a prototype look like? First, it depends on your idea. Second, it depends on your budget and your goals.

• If possible, it's great to start with a handmade prototype, no matter how rudimentary. For example, I've seen prototypes made from the simplest of household items: socks, diaper tabs, household glue, empty milk containers--you name it. If it works for your initial demonstration purposes, it's as good as the most expensive materials.
• Eventually, if you decide to move forward with your invention, you'll probably need what's known as a "pre-production" prototype--especially if you plan to manufacture it yourself rather than license it. But as a first step, a homemade "presentation" prototype can give you a good running start.

A Prototype Provides Other Advantages, as Well

• It enables you to test and refine the functionality of your design.
• It makes it possible to test the performance of various materials.
• It'll help you describe your product more effectively with your team, including your attorney, packaging or marketing expert, engineers, and potential business partners.
• It will encourage others to take you more seriously.

Developing Your Prototype

Making a prototype by hand is a great way to start bringing your product to life.

• Give yourself permission to experiment.
• Look around the house and select materials that you can use to test to see if your idea works.
• If you anticipate your product will be made from plastic, there's a great product ideal for creating home prototypes called Shapelock.
• Be open to alternatives you may not have originally considered.

Bringing It to the Pros

Once you've developed your prototype as far as you reasonably can, it's time to consider hiring a professional to help you with the next steps.

• You may wish to hire professional prototype developers, engineers, and designers.
• Others may be able to help you as well, including a handyman, a machinist or a student from a local industrial design college.
• The complexity and materials to be used in your specific product will help drive this decision.
• Your budget may also be a consideration.

Finding a Prototype Developer

Finding the right prototype developer can be a crucial step in bringing your product idea to life. Here are some effective strategies to help you find a professional prototype developer.

Traditional and Online Resources

• Initially, I discovered a prototype developer using the Yellow Pages, which was the primary resource available to me at the time.
• Later, I learned about www.thomasnet.com, an invaluable free resource that provides a database of over 650,000 manufacturers, distributors, and service providers, including prototype developers.
• This platform is especially helpful as it allows you to search for experts by state, making it easier to find the right expertise quickly.

Research and Emerging Technologies

• It's important to conduct thorough research and stay informed about new and emerging technologies in the field of prototype development.
• For instance, in developing my own plastic products, I discovered rapid prototyping, a cost-effective and efficient method using stereolithography technology.
• Rapid prototyping allows for quick creation of plastic prototypes from computer-aided drawings (CAD) by a large tooling machine, bypassing the need for expensive injection molds.
• The cost of rapid prototypes can be significantly lower, sometimes as little as a few hundred dollars, depending on the complexity of the product.
• Considering the alternatives, creating an injection mold in the United States can cost between $10,000 to $100,000, making rapid prototyping an attractive option.

Exploring Creative Possibilities

• The prototyping stage is an excellent opportunity to utilize all your untapped creative ability.
• Don't limit yourself with preconceived notions about material use or the types of professionals you can consult.
• Explore as much as you can to bring your product idea to life, examining all the possibilities on the market.