Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello,

I`m currently looking to build a prototype of a product that I have in mind.  I`m just not sure where to begin.  My product will require 2" - 3" think sheets of memory foam along with a gore tex material that is breathable and waterproof.

I would like to purchase the materials and build the initial product myself in order to decide how I`d like the design to take shape, and in order to have an idea on what the costs of developing this product might be.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on where to find manufacturers of the materials I`m looking for so that I could buy directly from them? 

When I decide that I want to take this further and have a design/engineering firm help us develop our product for an actual prototype, do you have any recommendations that could help?

Thanks for your time!

you can try foamorder.com. for your memory foam. i don`t know about gore tex.   foam order will cut to size--try the link below:

http://www.foamorder.com/custom_cuts.php?product=memory& shape=1

good luck.

bruce

A few thoughts...

For a first prototype, is it possible to get the materials off-the-shelf or out of existing products?  It sounds like off-the-shelf may not be possible, but if you`ve seen the material you want in existing products and can buy them cost effectively and get the material out of those products, that may be a quick/cheap option.  For example, cutting up a gore tex garment and reassemblying the material as you need it.  This will also help if you already have a material from an existing product that you know you like--rather than going through the sourcing process to find the same, or similar material, just to create a prototype (you`ll need to do this at the manufacturing development stage as well).

For your first prototype, it doesn`t necessarily need to be pretty--but instead just test the concept.  Otherwise, you might spend a good amount of time trying to source a materials supplier, and they may be willing to send you some samples or sell you a small amount of material.  But many materials suppliers don`t sell product in small amounts.

I work in product development and sourcing.  Feel free to contact me any time about the next stages. 

Good luck!



-------------------------

Thanks for the information and good luck

Ares Galaxy Turbo Accelerator (AGTA) is an indispensable
acceleration module for those of you using Ares Galaxy p2p client.
AGTA focuses on obtaining fast downloads without sacrificing large
resources from your system.

______________________

Ares Galaxy Turbo Accelerator

-------------------------

I've got your answer right here.  Either contact Robb Rudluff over at www.Phluid.com or Contact the guys over at www.designmyidea.com

Robb over at Phluid Inc. is a good friend of mine.  I personally used to own half of the company with him back in 2005.  Now I've moved on to new industries.  Robb over at Phluid Inc. is building a prototype for me right now.  I'm spending almost $200K and I have no patents on the device yet.  The guys over at designmyidea will be finishing up my prototype.

I have many aspects of engineering going into my device.  Industrial, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering designs are all going into it.  I trust Robb and his staff entirely.  Plus, being a former partner in the design company, let me answer your question by saying the following:  These design guys are there to help you succeed.

So feel rest assured that your product ideas will  be safe with them.

In fact, you can send me a Private Message to my personal email and I will hook you up with Robb at Phluid Inc. Design.

My email is: dan@roastedstone.com

Robb's Email is: robb.rudluff@phluid.com

Robb's Phone is: 714-264-3559

Or just email me and I will put you two in touch.

Hope this Helps.

DAN