Order the damn parts you need!!!
ThinkSolveDo
This is a little (very little) technical. But even if you will NOT be
making your own parts you should read this article to know how to
manage the people who WILL be making your parts. I have discovered, a
long time ago, that being an effective executive meant knowing enough
about a project to be able to make sure it succeeds. So take a minute
and read it for your projects own good.
I now have my completed design, a prototype of the design and the new
design with modifications. The next step is to begin thinking in terms
of manufacturing. Because this is a new product and I have a tradeshow
to go to I will use a technique I developed call BATT (A Batch Test
Technique article can be viewed at
http://groups.google.com/group/Business-Innovation/browse_frm/thread/0eacbf3ff743efe4).
The BATT technique allows me to test the product's salability, gather
in-depth customer feedback and also places me in a position to
potentially make money too. The goal is to have the product fund
itself. And isn't that a nice goal?
Last night I reworked my design and broke it out into its basic
elements. Today I will order the raw materials, flat bar stock
aluminum, screws, etc. AND ALSO the tooling I will need like a 1/4"
end mill with a 1/2" shaft, 10-24 tap, cutting fluids and the like.
If you are an entrepreneur and you hire a prototyping or machine shop
or factory to make your product then they will need to do this BUT you
want to make sure they do otherwise you will not be able to meet your
deadline. No one wants to miss a tradeshow because someone forgot to
order a box of screws or an end mill cutter. So make sure the order
gets made in time to meet the deadline.
When purchasing parts you want to make sure you get the best part for
the job. I have found tools, like Onsrud (www.onsrud.com) cutters, to
be invaluable for cutting plastic; expensive... but priceless at the
same time. I order them by the half dozen and keep plenty on hand. I
have noticed when I get a bargain on a cheap tool it often does not
perform the task or destroys the part I am working on. So a deal is not
always a deal.
Then again some experimentation can prove to be an outstanding and show
up some value. I had a terrible time cutting sheet acrylic. I found a
cheap $10.00 10" blade at home depot that out performed the $50
blades and cut production time down by 75%. Outstanding!
One more thing, while I hate wasting money I also know that sometimes
things don't go as planned. I have seen too many broken items taken
from new boxes, so think about ordering an extra or two. Chances are,
for some unknown reason, you will need them. And if you don't you can
sometimes return them or stock them for the next job.
Today I place my order for the parts and next week I can begin making
the first production of the product. I can't wait!