Hey everyone,

I'm new to the startupnation community, but have been enjoying the podcasts and website for a year or two now.

I am currently moving into the prototype phase for a product I have been working on.  I'm trying to keep on top of things by doing what I can while my designer finishes drafting my product. I have already made arrangements for creating the prototype.

I would like to begin putting a sell sheet together (a little pre-mature, I know).  I want to find out estimates on how much this product would cost to produce, so I can show ROI on my sell sheet (among other financials).  It will be made out of a durable plastic.

Can anyone help me out with who I contact about manufacturing this product, as far as cost estimates go?  Or if there are resources online that I can utilize?  I do not have any sort of patent or provisional on this product as of yet, so wherever I find information on manufacturing, it has to be estimates, because I can't disclose specifics on my design.

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My name is Drew, I am a student at Ball State University. I am an information systems major, in my final year.

it has to be estimates, because I can't disclose specifics on my design.

I don't think any factory/manufacturer will give you an estimate on a design they can't see/study first and just give you an number that is just P.O.T.A.

while my designer finishes drafting my product.

Is he just drawing your product? or is he making CAD/CAM files that manufacturers can use? i.e. Solidworks

For prototyping, there are rapid prototyping shop here in the US. AGAIN, some of them can only work with you if you have the CAD/CAM files for them. If all you have is a sketch/photo your designer made, you may have to pay them extra to do the actual engineering drawings. (Or you can hire freelance engineers that will create the solidworks file for your design... budget at least $1500 or more for this.)

Also, prototype costs will be several times more expensive since it's a one-off manufacturing.  But again, you just want a prototype to see if the product works, can show to investors, etc... this won't be your final cost to manufacture each piece.

For suppliers/factories, you can try Alibaba.com

But you'll be sending your design to China. Are you comfortable with that?

Give me a call i can help

 

CW

714-978-0333

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Chris Wentworth Owner Action Prototype & Urethane Casting 714-978-0333