What is the process of developing a physical prototype?

The process of turning an idea into a physical prototype varies depending on the type of product and purpose of the prototype. Proof of concept prototypes of simple products can be made using materials available in a home whereas more complex technology products and higher quality prototypes require the expertise of designers, engineers and advanced manufacturing facilities. Usually, the process starts with a designer turning the idea into a 3D design concept that shows all the product features, materials and functionality. The concept is then handed over to engineers (mechanical/electronics/hardware) who create files and documentation ready to be sent to a manufacturer. The manufacturer utilizes processes like 3D printing, CNC machining, silicone molding and others to create a physical prototype of the product as described in the documentation.  

 

What type of company builds prototypes?

A product design & prototype development company like Outdesign Co helps inventors, startups and established businesses build prototypes of their new product ideas. Our prototype firm specializes in turning ideas from a napkin sketch to actual physical products and prototypes. If you already have manufacture-ready 3D CAD files of your design, then a local 3D printing shop, prototype manufacturing firm or machine shop will be more suitable depending on the type of product, purpose of prototype and materials used. For products that need minor changes like colors, logos etc added to an already existing product, then a manufacturing company will be more suitable. Here is a more detailed article on the types of companies that build prototypes of your idea.

 

How do I get my product idea manufactured?

To get your product idea manufactured, start with creating a rough sketch of your idea and a presentation of how it works, the target audience, the competitors and any other detail that will help people understand your requirements. Contact a prototype development firm like Outdesign Co to get a quote on what it would take to develop your idea into a prototype. Outdesign co has engineers and designers along with access to world-class manufacturing facilities where your idea can be turned into a real product. After getting a quote, you’ll be sent a document that lays out the development process, timeline, milestone and other important details to get started working on your product.

 

What services does Outdesign co provide?

Outdesign Co is a product design and prototyping company helping inventors, startups and SMEs across 15+ countries turn their ideas into some ‘World-firsts’ and award-winning products. Product design, product development, engineering, 3D visualization and prototyping are some of the services provided by Outdesign Co.

 

How much does a prototype cost?

The cost of developing a physical product prototype depends on the type of product and its complexity. The development of a prototype for simple products consisting of fewer than 5 custom parts and no custom electronics is generally below $10,000. For more complex electronic devices, the design and development of a prototype can be in hundreds of thousands of dollars, but typically is between $30,000 to $60,000 depending on the complexity and type of prototype. Production grade prototypes ready for mass production go upto $100k+. However, please note that project costs vary greatly depending on the type and complexity of the product and no two projects are the same. The numbers mentioned above are only to give a general idea of the costs of product development. To get an accurate estimate for your specific project, you may get a quote here.

 

What locations do you serve?

We serve clients worldwide and have worked with startups, entrepreneurs and businesses in 15+ countries providing them with best prototyping services. The majority of our clients are based all across the US, from California to New York.

 

What is rapid prototyping?

Rapid prototyping is the method of rapidly creating a physical prototype of a part or assembly using 3D CAD modeling and manufacturing processes like 3D printing, CNC machining or silicone molding. Outdesign Co provides rapid prototyping services to help inventors and entrepreneurs bring new product ideas to life.