Small Mind to Big Product
ThinkSolveDo
I narrowed my focus to expand my possibilities. By trimming my
potential list of designs, down to one, I am actually able to begin
building the product. I traded having an unlimited number of fantasy
possibilities, which existed only in my head and were of no true value
to me, to being on my way to a tangible product that has real value to
me and my customers as well.
Yesterday, I created a CAD model of my design and then last night I
made a list of the parts and tooling I need to create it. The project
is now a major step closer to instantiation. This is Design Version 1
which I have affectionately named "Project P" or "P2" for
short.
Code names may seem a little silly but they give you a way to reference
the project. They also keep you aware of the fact that marketing needs
a real name so keep your eyes open for one. A good name for a product
is often hard to find.
Total cost for tooling will be about $200 - $300 and parts and
materials will be about $150 - $200. I try to design my initial
versions so I can manufacture small runs. This means I prefer to make a
holding jig than to simply clamp a part to a table and cut it. It saves
me setup time for each part. Instead of having to setup each piece of
raw material to exacting standards I only setup the jig and the jig
automatically setups each part thereafter. We have made 10s of
thousands of products like this and great success and for a profit!
Another technique I will use is to design components such that I can
machine several parts at a time from a single piece of stock. This tool
eliminates setup time and makes my products more accurate. For example
this product needs one part that is 3" by 10" and another that is
6" by 10". By machining these two parts from the single piece of
10" by 10" piece of stock I cut setup time in ½ and also have
increased production.
I will also have less waste because I machine my parts and use the
pairs together. So I am not ending up with uneven amounts of one part
versus another. And I can keep fewer blanks in stock. This is a great
way to manufacture small runs of products.
The final task I perform before I place my order for tooling is to
check my scrap heap to see what I have in stock. There is no need to
buy a piece of aluminum when I have it sitting in my scrap heap. I also
look to see if I can use any stock parts and balance the cost to
purchase against the cost to make. Once this is done I will place my
order.
Companies I order from and enjoy working with are below... Let me know
if there are others I should be patronizing... (in alphabetical order)
www.grizzly.com Lots of tools and supplies at good prices.
www.harborfreight.com Importer with very low cost tools.
www.mcmaster.com AMAZING! Millions of parts + outstanding website
search
www.mscdirect.com Major Stocking supplier. I often get shipments next
day.
www.use-enco.com Low cost supplier of tools, machines and stock
ThinkSolveDo
Work with...
www.BizNuts.com NUTS about Business
www.ThinkSolveDo.com AFFORDABLE R&D
www.Fpoetry.com For a Mental Break
www.ColorCutter.com Unique Products
This article relates to... NPD, New Product Development, Innovation,
Inventing, Product Development, Concepting, Prototyping, Prototype,
Innovation Expert, Innovation Seminars, Innovation Speaking, Invention,
Innovate, Unique Products, Ideas and more...