Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

While the patent discussion is always useful, the original poster`s question was regarding prototype development.

We have a wonderful resource here in the Bay Area - Tech Shop in Menlo Park.  We found out about them through SuN member TechShopJim, who started the place, which just opened last October. 

Tech Shop is amazing!  They have every kind of machine you could imagine for fabricating prototypes and beyond out of metal, plastics, or just about anything else.  You pay a low daily, monthly, or annual fee, plus $30 per class to get checked out on any equipment you are interested in.  If you don`t know how to do something, they have people there who can help.  They also have a great guy who does prototype design work for a separate fee.

We are in the process of doing a redesign of our product there.  Their guy is doing the more complex design work, then we will be cutting our own molds (our product includes injected molded plastic parts).  After we get the plastics shot elsewhere, we may actually do our own assembly at TechShop for the first batch of units.

So check them out www.techshop.ws

Good Luck!

Lisa

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Lisa Tarver
Fauna Sauna
Natural Heat for Your Pet`s Health
www.faunasauna.com

Great discussion on NDA`s and patents.  My opinion was swinging back and forth like a ping-pong game.  Great points on both sides.  My conclusion is right down the middle.  They is no correct or single answer.  If you are dealing with less than honest people, a patent is the answer.  If you are dealing with honest people, NDA`s are better for the average inventor.

Most people getting patents spend some serious time and effort getting input from honest people that make the patent worth the effort.  The key is who you work or deal with.  Regardless, the design must be correct before you pour your life savings into proceeding with costly patents and prototypes.

Find trust worthy people to do business and get your Design right first.  Unfortunately there is no magic method to finding honest people.  Maybe it`s like a marriage.  Find a good mate and get to know them before taking the plunge!  Start by trusting a bit and build up to the important stuff!

Enjoy the trip and good luck.

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Transform Your Product Design
White North Design
www.whitenorthdesign.com

T5Five