Let's build a prototype of your invention.
To build a prototype, it's crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the innovative product creation cycle.
The manufacture of a prototype is not an isolated process; it responds to the urgent need to keep the process of developing an idea fully connected with reality.
According to the chart of the product creation process, the manufacture of the functional prototype is the third step in the development of an invention line.
Altering the order of the steps to create an innovative product increases the risk and also minimizes the chances of the invention's success in the market.
Prototype meaning
The prototype is not a shoddy version of the product. The prototype is the experimental unit of a
Prototypes are experimental units that allow for the inclusion of changes, improvements, and adjustments, which ensure that the inventor's idea
Our business is not to patent your invention, it is to make it a reality
Registering patents on inventions has become big business. But it's not ours. In Let's Prototype you will find an ally to turn your idea into a profitable business.
Reasons to manufacture a product prototype
To develop an invention, you need three fundamental resources: Time, Energy, and Money.
Every time you make a decision in the invention creation cycle, you draw from your reserves of three resources. For example: if you are going to register a patent, you need time, energy, and money. The same goes for any of the steps to create an invention.
If you're not retired, don't have millions of dollars to invest, and don't have all the patience in the world, you'll agree that you need to prioritize cycles that minimize the risk of your invention in the market.
Well, the main goal of manufacturing a prototype is to teach the inventor enough before exhausting the available resources to develop an innovative product.
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Manufacturing a prototype of a product. Impact on the value of the idea
Manufacturing a prototype of a product is a key step to accelerate the growth curve of your project's value. Although many inventors believe that the patent is the first step in the process of creating a product, it is a serious mistake.
The process of manufacturing a product prototype can be long and very costly. For this reason, it is advisable to first undertake an engineering project, which will help clarify the main hypotheses and challenges of the invention.
Be careful! Every good or bad decision you make in the process of manufacturing a product prototype will have a direct impact on your product's market opportunities. Let us explain the reasons.
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Price of a product prototype
The formula for calculating the price of a product prototype is:
VI + VD + VM = PP (prototype price)
Where the variables are:
VI = Investigation Value.
The value of research is conditioned by the time and amount of human and laboratory resources involved in the research process necessary to develop any innovative product. It includes the state-of-the-art study or background of an invention.
VD = Development Value.
The value of inventiveness development is conditioned by the time and resources needed to design different versions or solutions for a prototype. It includes all expenses associated with 3D prototypes, prototype models, functional prototypes, and pre-industrial prototype development.
VM = Material Value
The value of materials needed to create a prototype is determined by the price of the components that are acquired or designed in-house for prototype manufacturing. Surprisingly, in the formula for calculating the price of a prototype, the VM is the smallest of the values, as it is typically much more time and resource intensive than VI and VD.
The manufacturing price of a prototype is not comparable to the final price of a product. For example, at Let´s Prototype, we have designed and manufactured prototypes worth $30,000 that later became products costing no more than $15 in the mass
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Definition and types of product prototypes.
If we delve deep into literature about prototype manufacturing and development of a new product, we will see that according to each author, the types of prototypes take on different names, but the definition of the types of prototypes remains with slight differences.
Definition of MVP (Minimum Viable Product) prototype.
The minimum viable product prototype is not a representative version of the idea. The sole purpose of the minimum viable product prototype is to demonstrate that the problem that the inventor has identified exists in other people and not only they suffer from it. The minimum viable product can be a video, a landing page, or another useful medium to describe the value proposition of the idea and measure the reaction of users or potential customers.
Objectives of the minimum viable product prototype.
Measure the behavior of customers who supposedly suffer from an unresolved problem, need, or aspiration, and whom the inventor, with an innovative prototype, intends to solve.
Example of Minimum Viable Product Prototype
Dropbox – The founding team of the technology platform Dropbox, after a resounding and outright failure in a product development process, learned the importance of measuring customer behavior before investing tens of thousands of dollars. Drawing from this experience, they decided to launch a video explaining the value proposition of the future platform, describing the idea, and outlining how the platform would solve the problem of file inaccessibility due to various situations. All of this, before starting the development of an innovative software product.
The minimum viable product prototype, in this case in video format, allowed the founders to measure a set of indicators revealing the connection between the innovative solution or product idea they intended to develop and the interests of their potential customers.
There are different quick ways to create a prototype of a minimum viable product. We can help you create the best prototype.
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Definition of product pre-prototype
The product preprototype is nothing more than an experiment that allows simulating in a natural environment the situation in which users face certain problems, in order to "simulatedly" make them see and experience the solution. In this way, the behavior of users will be measured through a specific simulation of the solution intended to be conveyed with the future prototype or innovative product.
The main difference between a product preprototype and a minimum viable product is that in the case of the minimum viable product, the solution can be transmitted or communicated through any means to measure the behavior or reaction of potential customers. On the other hand, with a product preprototype, the value proposition is communicated with the customer nearby and furthermore the functioning of a product is simulated, similar to the idea intended to be developed as an innovative invention.
Objectives of the pre-prototype
The objective of a preprototype is to measure the reaction of customers to a simulation of responding to a specific problem. With these measurements, we can not only determine that the problem to be solved exists, but also that the form or solution path we intend to develop through a future prototype or product is accepted by potential customers.
Example of a pre-prototype
IBM presented at a fair a system or machine for its famous "Voice to Text" experiment. The main objective for IBM was to demonstrate whether customers at the time were willing to pay or at least showed interest in a machine capable of converting any voice dictation into text, also instantly generating
To validate customer interest before developing a new prototype, IBM brought a large device, with a human inside, who typed in real-time the content received from the voice of the participants at the fair. In this way, the device, with a human inside, was sufficient to demonstrate the interest generated by the solution in the customers.
Our business is not to patent your invention, it is to make it a reality
Registering patents on inventions has become big business. But it's not ours. In Let's Prototype you will find an ally to turn your idea into a profitable business.
Definition of 3D prototype
The definition of a 3D prototype is a conceptual design of the idea. Using 3D design tools and mechanical development, it is possible to create a very realistic concept of the 3D prototype. It is important to note that the 3D design of a prototype does not guarantee that the prototype will work or that its components and mechanisms are final. In the process of creating
Objectives of the 3D prototype
A 3D prototype offers a realistic view of the concept of an innovative product intended for development. The ability to design a 3D prototype aims to measure the reaction and behavior of customers when visualizing the product before it exists. The 3D prototype enables inventors and prototype design companies to learn from customer feedback to improve the product's ergonomics and analyze the expectations of potential customers for the future innovative product intended for development. It is important to design more than one 3D prototype; this way, we will present customers with different versions of the 3D prototype to compare their reactions and feedback, especially regarding the anticipated ergonomics of an innovative product.
Example of a 3D prototype
Our team of 3D prototype design and functional prototype manufacturing work hand in hand to connect these stages, keeping in mind that before manufacturing a prototype, it is crucial to test the 3D prototype to assess customer expectations.
For example, currently, we are designing a prototype of a leash useful for walking pets. This leash includes a water reservoir, liquid dispensing system, and a bag dispenser for picking up pet waste. Bringing together all these functional subsystems in a prototype is a challenge in terms of product ergonomics, as the prototype's shape<span style="
Below you can see an example of a 3D prototype that will likely undergo significant improvements and changes based on the initial feedback from future customers.
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Definition of Mockup Prototype
The mockup prototype or product mockup is not the functional prototype. It is a physical representation of the prototype's shape, allowing future customers and the inventor themselves to touch and handle the prototype before integrating the mechanisms or subsystems that enable the functionality of a prototype.
With the mockup prototype, customers can determine the ergonomics of the product, analyze the feasibility based on the size, weight of the prototype, and potential costs associated with manufacturing the outer casings of the prototype.
The product mockup or mockup prototype does not provide insights into the manufacturing costs of a product; this is an objective associated with pre-industrial prototypes.
Product mockups can be constructed using 3D printing techniques, laser cutting machines, and other modern tools that help keep the cost of a product mockup from becoming too excessive. A product mockup must be inexpensive and easily transformable by necessity, as it is an initial prototype that is highly experimental, aiming solely to reach a consensus between the technical viability of the prototype, the anticipated economic viability of a prototype, and the interests and ergonomics of product use.
Objectives of the Mockup Prototype
The product mockup or prototype mockup is useful for determining the ergonomics of the product, simulating usage examples. Similar to the 3D prototype case, it's crucial to manufacture multiple prototype mockups with different shapes and colors. This way, not only can the reaction of future clients be measured, but their feedback regarding the potential use of the different product mockups can also be compared.
Example of a Mockup Prototype
Below are some examples of prototype mockups. The manufacture of prototype mockups has been carried out using 3D printing techniques and commercially available components. With these mockups, the client has been able to validate the ergonomics of the product as well as the expectation it is capable of generating in its future customers. It is important to note that in the stage of manufacturing prototype mockups, it is still too early to patent the idea.
Definition of Functional Prototype
The definition of a functional prototype, as the name suggests, is the first experimental version of a product. A functional prototype is not the final product, quite the opposite. The functional prototype allows for the visualization and validation of the technical feasibility of the invention, demonstrates the usability of the invention, but it is very likely to undergo significant changes during the optimization process by the prototype manufacturing company.
The functional prototype includes the systems and subsystems that enable the functionality of the prototype. With the functional prototype, the inventor client can demonstrate to investors and potential customers that the invention works, but the future prices of an innovative product cannot yet be defined.
The functional prototype already provides sufficient information about the ergonomics of the product in its own use. Moreover, the functional prototype allows proceeding with the description of the specification of a patent to protect the claims of innovation of the innovative product.
Es muy importante fabricar un prototipo funcional en procesos anteriores a la presentación de la patente, sobre todo, porque en la fábrica de inventos se consiguen mejoras para abaratar la futura fabricación industrial del prototipo, mejorar la ergonomía de un producto y analizar el comportamiento del mercado al interactuar con el prototipo funcional.
The prices of a functional prototype are determined by the workload of the expert engineering team in prototype development, rather than by the components that allow the functional prototype to have real use. Currently, the components and manufacturing of mechanical systems for the prototype are not expensive, what is really costly in the process of manufacturing a functional prototype is the cost of the hours of the expert engineering team in product development.
The prices of a functional prototype are not comparable to the price the final product will have in the future, especially because the functional prototype is manufactured using artisanal techniques that allow for continuous alteration of the shape of the functional prototype. In summary, the functional prototype remains an experimental version of the product, where the most important aspect is the speed at which changes are applied to the
Objectives of the Functional Prototype
The objective of a functional prototype is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of an invention. The functional prototype allows for assessing the ergonomics of using a product, as well as the general reaction of potential customers to a product. The objective of a functional prototype is not to make money by selling </span
Example of a functional prototype
At Let's Prototype, we have manufactured more than 200 functional prototypes in recent years. We have experience manufacturing functional prototypes for various industries: Mechanical prototypes, furniture prototypes, kitchen utensil prototypes, appliance prototypes, industrial machine prototypes, agricultural prototypes, technological prototypes for the medical industry, textile functional prototypes among other types of prototypes with significant market impact.
Definition of Pre-Industrial Prototype
The pre-industrial prototype is a very advanced version of a product. It is impossible to manufacture a pre-industrial prototype before going through the prototype stages previously described. The prototype creation cycle or product creation process cannot be seen as a linear process. The cycle of creating an innovative product is a continuous learning process that allows validation of the ergonomics of the product as well as the real usability of the prototype's functions.</span
Once enough has been learned from the previous prototype versions, the pre-industrial prototype can be manufactured. This prototype allows for the analysis of different techniques available for industrializing the prototype, that is, mass-producing a product. With this analysis of industrial methods, the pre-industrial prototype is configured. At this point, the steps to manufacture the product as well as the manufacturing costs of an innovative product can be determined.
Objectives of Pre-Industrial Prototype
The main objectives of a pre-industrial prototype are:
- Determine the industrial manufacturing costs of the product.
- Learn about the acceptance of the functional prototype.
- Determine the documentation required for mass production of a product.
In the pre-industrial prototype manufacturing process, the prototype documentation must be prepared. The prototype documentation is the Blueprint for manufacturing the product, it is a detailed list that provides all the components that make up the prototype as well as the notebook of blueprints of the prototype parts and pieces. With this information, an exploration is made in the industry of the different industrial methods for manufacturing a product as well as the possible suppliers necessary for manufacturing. The prototype documentation is essential for preparing the business plan, as with this information, the product prices after mass production can be determined.
Example of Pre-Industrial Prototype
At Let's Prototype, we have developed several pre-industrial prototypes. Below are images of an innovative product for the tobacco industry.
Most smokers or collectors of Habanos cigars are very concerned about the relative humidity inside their Habanos cigar containers. Relative humidity conditions their preservation, hence the importance of making decisions to maintain relative humidity within appropriate parameters.
At Let's Prototype, a pre-industrial prototype has been developed consisting of an IOT device capable of connecting to the user's mobile phone, where the parameters of acceptable relative humidity for the proper preservation of Habanos cigars are configured. The IOT device can remain in energy-saving mode for many hours, waking up and taking a daily reading to ensure that the environment is in the appropriate preservation conditions. If not, the IOT device sends an alert signal to the user's mobile phone, indicating the incorrect measurement taken and providing some recommendations to ensure an adequate environment inside the humidor.
After manufacturing several prototypes, a pre-industrial prototype has been developed consisting of electronic elements and an ergonomic product design that is small enough to not affect the capacity of the Habanos cigar preservation humidors.
Currently, using prototype manufacturing techniques, a IOT prototype ready for mass production has been achieved. In this case, the pre-industrial prototype itself is already available for sale on major platforms, such as Amazon, which is a very suitable environment for measuring the reaction and acceptance of the prototype by customers.
Rapid prototyping techniques.
Rapid prototyping techniques.
As you may have concluded, the speed of iteration on a prototype is fundamental, as it determines the time it takes to move from an idea to a prototype that meets customer expectations.
The prototyping method is determined by the ability to isolate the different challenges faced in the product creation process. The ergonomics of the product, the product dimensions, the product aesthetics, and the functions of the invention often encompass independent challenges that must be addressed in isolation. The appropriate prototyping method involves proposing solution ideas to each of the challenges, materializing these solutions in a invention fabrication laboratory, and exposing these partial solutions to customers to measure their acceptance, through prototype models, sketches, and 3D prototypes as well as through functional prototypes in a more advanced stage.
Advantage of manufacturing a product prototype
The main advantage of manufacturing a prototype is to bring the idea to life. Keeping the entire invention creation cycle with the input of future users. Similarly, the prototype offers the advantage of being able to determine the best possible options to achieve its functionality and establish the innovation claims that can be protected through a patent, Utility Model, or industrial design.
Our business is not to patent your invention, it is to make it a reality
Registering patents on inventions has become big business. But it's not ours. In Let's Prototype you will find an ally to turn your idea into a profitable business.
How to choose companies that manufacture product prototypes?
Integration of disciplines | Technical capacity for prototyping."
To manufacture a product prototype, it is crucial for the invention manufacturing laboratory in charge to internally maintain departments that fulfill the necessary disciplines for the development of the invention.
For example, if the invention consists of developing a prototype of a household appliance, it will be crucial to have a team of experts in electronics, industrial designers, and mechanical engineers. It is essential that in each area, there is demonstrated experience in designing and manufacturing innovative prototypes.
Assigning the manufacture of a prototype to a team of industrial designers with scattered electronics and mechanical engineers (not within the same company) will add an additional level of risk, as the areas won't be able to think and work together on each of the challenges. The results of these isolated processes often end up in inefficient prototypes or poorly thought-out ones, posing a significant risk when it comes to industrializing the prototype or competing in the market.
Capability to accompany throughout the entire process | Experience in industrialization
As you already know, manufacturing a prototype is just one step in the invention creation cycle, so it's highly recommended that you choose a partner with the capability to accompany you throughout the design process, manufacturing, and launch of the innovative product.
An optimal team to commission the development of a prototype should include at least:
Specialized business team in invention development: Personnel experienced in market analysis, capable of studying competing products and patents that are part of the prior art. This team will assist you in defining the focus of innovation in the product and determining the features that will be highlighted as competitive advantages of the innovative product.
Engineering Team: It will be essential for the engineering team specialized in innovative product development to have a comprehensive understanding of the invention manufacturing cycle. With this understanding, the need to choose components democratized in the market will be taken into account, so that the necessary studies are conducted to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of the prototype. Similarly, the engineering team will need to consider the various techniques available to industrialize the prototype, so that in the design cycle and development of electronic elements, the future possibility of manufacturing a prototype in series is contemplated.
Invention Marketing Team: The objective of the inventor may be to sell the invention along with its corresponding patents or to commercially exploit the innovative product. In either case, it is crucial to find a product development company with sufficient experience in attracting investors, capable of negotiating the sale of the patent or proposing a sales strategy to market the innovative product.
At Let´s Prototype, we have taken care to shape a structure that can assist you in the steps to create and launch a prototype to the market.
Investor Relations | Business Development
Access to financing to manufacture a prototype and not getting stuck halfway through the product creation process is one of the main obstacles faced by inventors.
It is essential that the product development company can demonstrate its experience in successfully closing cycles of financing innovative projects.
At Let's Prototype, in addition to designing a product, developing an engineering project for the invention, manufacturing prototypes, and launching products to the market, we have sufficient experience and can help you activate a cycle of attracting private capital to develop the invention.
The business development team can assist you, once the prototype manufacturing is completed, to:
- Draft the partnership agreement.
- Generate contacts with investors experienced in financing inventions.
- Creating the necessary documentation to attract financing.
- "Documenting the viability of the invention as well as the valuation of a patent and the project in general."
If you're interested in us evaluating the possibility of working together in the manufacturing of a prototype, and then supporting you through the rest of the steps, we'd be delighted to hear about your project.
Patent strategy | Counseling and commitment
After studying from an engineering project the characteristics of the prototype, it is crucial to determine the intellectual property protection strategy of an invention.
There are different ways to protect an invention. They are types of patents that may be more or less suitable depending on the elements that are truly innovative in the prototype.
Strategies to protect an invention can only be considered when there are no doubts about the technical feasibility of the prototype.
We can assist you in determining the innovative claims of the invention based on the basic engineering project itself, so that, before manufacturing a prototype, we can guide you in choosing the appropriate type of patent that corresponds.
International vision | Support in future stages.
"The launch of a new product into the market is a significant challenge for inventors."
Most inventors dream of patenting an invention, manufacturing a prototype, and selling the exploitation rights to a large industrial partner. However, very few inventors have a clear strategy for the day after having a functional prototype. For this reason, it is essential to rely on a company specialized in developing the subsequent stages of the invention creation cycle.
At Let's Prototype, after more than a decade of supporting inventors in prototyping design, prototype manufacturing, and invention launches, we have opened a physical office in the United States. Together with the invention laboratory in Madrid, we work to support the inventor through a commercial network to introduce innovative products to the market.
Steps to manufacture product prototypes.
We have the inventor's vision and DNA during the manufacturing of product prototypes.
Concept
We understand and analyze your concept and idea.
Design
You will be able to validate your future product before you have it.
Manufacturing
We manufacture your prototype and transform it as much as may be necessary.
Testing
We will validate all features together with you. If necessary, we will transform the prototype.
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Innovating for over a decade
Want to see our prototypes?
Confidentiality is in our DNA. That’s why we require that an NDA be signed prior to showing you some prototypes.
Capabilities for manufacturing product prototypes.
3D Printing and Design
We will be able to manufacture any part or component of the prototype swiftly. We have specialists in material study and selection. Every day, we utilize.
- Biodegradable materials
- Degradable materials
- Flexible materials
- Silicones
- Food contact materials
- Textiles
- Rigid plastics
- Wood
- Metals
We Design and Manufacture PCBs
We have the capability to design and manufacture printed circuit boards (PCBs) optimized for your prototype. We will select the most suitable components and subsequently industrialize your PCB.
Software Development
We can develop platforms and mobile applications optimized for your prototype. With a single point of contact, we will ensure that your hardware prototype is accompanied by the most suitable software.
Manufacturing of Prototypes Using Molding Techniques
Before facing significant investments in molds for large-scale production, we can manufacture a prototype using artisanal molding techniques. With these techniques, your prototype will have a very similar appearance to the final product.
Design and Manufacturing of Complex Mechanisms
You will have trained professionals to create and manufacture complex mechanisms for prototypes, regardless of the required materials. We will ensure the viability of the prototype when industrializing its production.
Feasibility Studies. Basic Engineering
We will study your project’s technical feasibility, simulating digitally any possible working scenarios. We will share with you the resulting data, along with any variations to achieve optimal operation.
Manufacturing of Robotized Solutions
IOT and Telecommunications
Data Mining
Manufacturing homemade prototypes.
What is a homemade prototype?
A home prototype is the handmade version of the product often developed by inventors to demonstrate that their invention idea works and solves a real problem. Home prototypes are usually made with existing materials, manually adapted by the inventor to form a less professional prototype but very important, as it is the first approximation to the prototype's functions. Although the home prototype is important, it should not be confused with the economic viability and technical feasibility of a prototype, these aspects must be professionally validated and optimized by product design and development experts.
What homemade prototypes can I manufacture?
Inventors can create different versions of homemade prototypes. As a common denominator, homemade prototypes are not prepared for approaching the industry, as their components are usually not optimal for mass production of the product. It is possible to create homemade prototypes of appliances and especially mechanical products.
What is a homemade prototype used for?
Homemade prototypes are very useful for conveying the functional requirements of the prototype. By analyzing the characteristics of the homemade prototypes of an invention, the main objectives of the innovative product are defined. Homemade prototypes allow the inventor to express with greater certainty and specificity the objectives they intend to achieve in the product creation cycle.
Ergonomics of prototypes and products.
Meaning of ergonomics
The ergonomics of a product are defined by its design-level capacity to adapt to user needs. Ergonomics considers the characteristics, abilities, and also the limitations of users when they have to use the product in the natural environment where the problem that the product intends to solve arises. To design an ergonomic product, it is essential to understand how users interact with the product, where they use it, and how the size, weight, and shape of the product adapt to the situation or use cases.
Ergonomics principles in product design.
To design an ergonomic product, the following critical points or fundamentals of product design must be addressed:
Variation of users | Differences in user body size Attention to the strength of users and the effort required to use the prototype. Skills of the user typology for which the product is intended. Sensory perception of the type of users targeted by the product. Personal preferences of the type of users. Knowing other products that the user already uses to solve different problems. |
Measurement of effort | Simulate environments and situations in which the product can be used. This way, the user-product relationship can be experienced. |
Risk analysis | Laboratory tests to evaluate risks of entrapment, puncture injuries, or cuts that the product may pose. Taking these results into account, the shape of the product as well as the choice of materials for critical parts in the interaction will be determined. Analyzing the postures that the user will have to adopt to use the product and the exposure time of these postures will be a fundamental element. |
Restricciones normativas | Laboratory tests to evaluate risks of entrapment, puncture injuries, or cuts that the product may pose. Taking these results into account, the shape of the product as well as the choice of materials for critical parts in the interaction will be determined. Analyzing the postures that the user will have to adopt to use the product and the exposure time of these postures will be a fundamental element. |
Let’s talk about your project
Frequently Asked Questions about Prototype Manufacturing
Manufacturing a prototype of a product or invention allows for a very close connection between the idea, the technology, and the prototype itself, with the client's vision, the ergonomics of use, as well as the technical and economic feasibility of the invention.
The manufacturing times for a product prototype are conditioned by the research load derived from the main challenges of the invention. Nevertheless, based on our experience, we can determine some estimated timeframes:
3D Prototype - 2 weeks
Prototype Mockup - 4 weeks
Functional Prototype - 90 days
Pre-Industrial Prototype - 180 days.
The price of a prototype can range between $15,000 and $30,000. It is important to note that these prices are based on our experience as a prototype manufacturing company. However, as we have already mentioned in the formula for calculating the price of a prototype, the variables "research value" and "development value" can substantially alter the prototype manufacturing price.
Before manufacturing a product prototype, in some cases, it is necessary to undergo a preliminary product design or basic engineering project. Far from being considered unnecessary or avoidable expenses, developing an engineering project helps eliminate significant risks regarding the research and development of a prototype. Therefore, before manufacturing a prototype, it is highly recommended to identify the challenges and invest in a basic engineering project where the best way to manufacture a prototype is outlined as a conclusion.
It is highly unlikely to sell an idea or patent without having a functional prototype that demonstrates the invention works. The buyer of an invention needs to verify that the invention works, solves real problems for customers, and also needs to assess the viability of manufacturing the product industrially. For this reason, it is very unlikely that you will be able to sell the patent of an invention without a functional prototype. It is advisable to present the invention to investors or patent buyers when you have a pre-industrial prototype, documentation related to the mass production process of a product positively impacts the selling value of a patent.
To manufacture a product, you can rely on industrial designers or product designers. However, based on our experience, it is advisable to engage with a company with real capability to develop multidisciplinary products. Invention manufacturing companies should incorporate various engineering departments to work together and think of the product as a whole, rather than individual parts or challenges in isolation.
The prototype is not the end of the invention creation process. It is the beginning of significant challenges associated with the possibility of commercializing an invention idea. After manufacturing a functional prototype and a pre-industrial prototype, you have two major challenges ahead: finding the right partners to manufacture the product in series.
It is possible to develop a prototype at the university, and it is highly recommended, especially when it involves innovation closely linked to new discoveries. The prototypes most suitable for the university environment are those related to discoveries in the field of chemistry. However, for the development of electronic prototypes, IoT prototypes, or inventions intended for market launch, the university is not the appropriate environment. Although the university can be a suitable environment for research, limitations on access, the need to justify resources, and the timeframes involved distance it from being an optimal inventing and prototyping laboratory for prototyping processes where immediate validations are needed to enter the market.
The best prototype companies are those that have the internal capability to integrate specialized human resources in the different areas of a prototype. In our case, as a company specializing in the manufacture of innovative products, we consider the following areas with our own personnel: mechanical engineering, industrial design, specialized textile design, IoT department, telecommunications engineering, computer engineering, mathematics, and specialization in materials research.
Another distinctive requirement of the best prototype companies is that they possess a prototype manufacturing workshop as an asset. On one hand, at Let´s Prototype, we have the engineering laboratory for researching and developing products, and additionally, both in Madrid and the United States, we have our own workshops that allow for immediate testing of engineering processes in practice.
Although study programs for product design and development have become very popular, the reality is that the various Master's programs in product development or degrees in product design and development that we have come across are insufficient compared to the actual engineering needs required to manufacture a product with high chances of success. In our humble opinion, the available studies for training as product engineers help to provide a global vision of the process of creating an innovative product, but it is not possible to equip a single profile with the capabilities in design, mathematics, mechanics, electronics, programming, etc., required as part of the product manufacturing process.
In favor of the product engineering careers we have encountered, and after having some professional profiles graduated from these programs, it is very true that the ability to visualize the product creation process equips these student profiles with fundamental skills to manage the necessary steps to create a product.
The prototype is an experimental unit of a product that allows for early validation of the potential acceptance of the innovative product in the market. In the case of technological product development with software structures, prototypes can also be created, typically mock-up prototypes to allow users to interact with different interfaces before continuing the development process.
Examples of product prototypes
Tipos de prototipos de productos
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