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Prototyping Your Invention Ideas Into Products

Prototyping means to make a model or sample of your product or invention idea.

If you have an invention idea that you hope to bring to market, eventually it will need to be prototyped as an essential part of the product development process. A prototype is a model of the invention idea (or part of it) that allows the inventor to validate and “prove” their concept. The prototype will allow the inventor to test and refine its functionality, appearance and production methods.  

- See more at: http://inventorspot.com/articles/turning_ideas_products_expert_tips_invention_prototypes_part_1_3#sthash.85DfsIfg.dpuf

If you have an idea that you want to produce and sell in the marketplace, you will first need to create a prototype or sample of the product. It is a critical part of the whole product development process.

Creating one or more prototypes gives an inventor the opportunity to make sure that their product works as expected. It gives the inventor the chance to create the product and tweak it as necessary to make sure that it functions as it should and that the appearance, ingredients for manufacture and the methods for producing the product will all work as needed.

A prototype can mean many different things.
There are a wide range of different types of prototypes, from the simplest line drawing to virtually production ready products that could be sold in the marketplace.

Depending on the stage of development of your invention idea, you may need something simple or just a particular part of the product or the complete design for the product made so that people can see, test and use the product before it gets launched into the market.

One of the key aspects of prototyping our invention is that prototyping is often an iterative  process, so your product may differ greatly from the first time it gets sampled to the final finished product. What you often have in mind in your head when you came up with the invention idea may differ greatly from the final form of the product. When you actually have to detail out all elements of your product and you actually can pay closer attention to how it looks, feels and works, the final item may be much better from the original concept you had in mind.

 

Need to make a sample or prototype of your idea or invention? Need tips on rapid prototyping? Here are some helpful articles:


Turning Ideas Into Products: Expert Tips For Invention Prototypes

(Detailed and Helpful Step-by-Step Overview of Invention Prototyping Process)

- By Chris Hawker  

Other Helpful Resources from InventorSpot.com


Other Helpful Articles On Making Prototypes


Advice on Prototyping

Prototyping Resources

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    • Industrial Arts Suppoy Co - Good resource for Woodworking Products, Pewter Castings, Rcoket Kits, etc.

    • Small Parts, Inc. - Industrial Supplies and Hardware Parts for Researchers and Developers

    • WoodWorker's Supply - Huge selection of woodworking tools, harware and supplies.

    • TechShop - Open Access Public  Workshop in Menlo Park, California - join them and use their extensive resource of tools, machine and equipment by the day, month or year. Workshop for people who like to work with their hands with metals, plastics, wood and electronics but do not have access to a shop or equipment.