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I Have An Idea For a Physical Product, But I'm Stuck...

by Dayne Dylan Banned
4 replies
Question...

I'm looking for a way to have a prototype made of a physical item, that will be made almost entirely of plastic and it will "snap" or "click" shut. But I want it to be made of a harder plastic that doesn't harm what's contained within, kinda like those nice hard plastic sleeves for rare baseball cards. Not sure of the plastic used in those though. And I want it to be very clear, basically see through.

In any case, how in the world would I even begin finding someone to create something like this as a test? Any thoughts on where to start?

The idea hit me at about 4 a.m. last night, out of the blue, and after a lot of searching online, I don't see anyone that's created what I want to create.
#idea #physical #product #stuck
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Why not start with the closest thing you know (the baseball card sleeve), visit several manufacturers of the sleeve (phone or email) and explain what you're looking for. Even if they don't make such a thing . . . they are the plastics experts and can tell you if there already is a similar product on the market or they might be able to give you a referral to another company that has the capability of making what you want.

    Folks on the Warrior Forum (although with good intentions) won't have the expertise and contacts that people in business in the plastics industry have. That is the place to start your search.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Marx Vergel Melencio
    Dayne,

    In our experience (one of my partners and I developed in 2013 a concept add-on wireless tech device with cloud software for the mobile phones of a specific group of persons with disabilities that'd go well with our concept service) -- If you know some principals, executives, founders / owners of big and small plastics manufacturing companies (in our case, many of them are Taiwan-based overseas tech hardware device manufacturing companies because one of our co-founding board members in an NPO is the principal / MD of a global logistics company in Hong Kong that ship for these Taiwan-based manufacturing companies), then you can negotiate a contract where their onboard industrial designers / engineers can develop a prototype for your concept. And, once the prototype has been finalized and patented -- The plastics manufacturing company can develop a minimum number of units that'd be shipped to your location of choice, all of course at your agreed contract price...
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  • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
    Originally Posted by Dayne Dylan View Post

    Question...

    I'm looking for a way to have a prototype made of a physical item, that will be made almost entirely of plastic and it will "snap" or "click" shut. But I want it to be made of a harder plastic that doesn't harm what's contained within, kinda like those nice hard plastic sleeves for rare baseball cards. Not sure of the plastic used in those though. And I want it to be very clear, basically see through.

    In any case, how in the world would I even begin finding someone to create something like this as a test? Any thoughts on where to start?

    The idea hit me at about 4 a.m. last night, out of the blue, and after a lot of searching online, I don't see anyone that's created what I want to create.
    While this is very high level this is what you need to do.

    Create very rough drawing of what you want. Go get some grid paper and even if its crude, it will help someone create your designs.

    Second thing, you will need to work with a CAD designer to create a CAD Drawing. You need this because you will need to have a mold made and one of the ways they do that is by placing the CAD design in a CNC machine to create an aluminum or metal mold.Yes there are other ways as well but generally, this is how it works.

    The CAD designer should be have some engineering background so you can figure out things like hinges and closures.

    Third, start searching for companies that do things like Injection Molding and reach out to them to see how much it would cost to prototype for you. I would start here:

    ThomasNet® - Product Sourcing and Supplier Discovery Platform

    From there you can find out the requirements for manufacture, etc. Not every manufacturer will do prototyping. Some will do it in house, some will point you to an external prototyper. I had one product, company was US, but their plant and prototype department was in China. My prototype was 200 and 45 to ship it back to the USA.

    The fact you have technical drawings created will help them take you seriously. Don't underestimate finding a local fabrication company that could do it for you as well.

    At the very least, Odesk will help to find CAD designers.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      @Dayne Dylan,

      From the little you have written it appears to me that your product may be quite simple to make and not costly to prototype.

      I know I am an expert on importing, but I also have many years experience in connection with plastic molding.

      If I am not on the right track, then I suggest you take note of the very helpful post by OnlineStoreHelp and follow his suggestions.

      ThomasNet® - Product Sourcing and Supplier Discovery Platform will likely be the place to go to find people who can do for you what I will suggest in a PM. I will use a PM rather than post here because you will want to keep even the manufacturing process to yourself.

      Regards,
      Walter Hay
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      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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