Product design engineer
Product design engineer
Author
Discussion

HolyMoly

Original Poster:

45 posts

138 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
Hoping someone can help.

I have designed a product that needs refining - have had a prototype fabricated that works, but I'm not happy with the aesthetics and the limited functionality of one of the elements. Ideally looking for someone who would be able to come up with a simple solution (I have an idea in mind) that can be easily manufactured i.e. not prohibitively expensive.

Current prototype is fabricated out of steel but open to working with other materials.

Hoping someone on here can provide the design service or can point me in the right direction (have been limited to PeoplePerHour so far, due to time restraints and hasn't been much cop)

TIA

welshjon81

683 posts

158 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
I'm a design engineer. Been in the game around 15 years now and I have a few of my designs which are already on the market and doing quite well. Albeit I have never gone out on my own as I prefer the stability of a wage.

Would 3D printing help? I always 3D print prototypes either in PLA or Nylon mainly.

pete_esp

317 posts

112 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
+1 for 3D printing if possible.

I'm currently pushing through an invention I have been sitting on for a while. I set up a ltd company and had a word with DS Liverpool, he pointed me at a lot of useful business start up info.

I was stalled on the prototype front till I got the 3D printer (Ender Pro v2 for £230), taught myself (basic) CAD and spun of prototypes which highlighted problems I hadn't anticipated which I was able to address and resolve very cheaply and quickly. I'm now at the point where I can go to a CAD & professional 3d company to finalise the prototypes and have saved several hundred pounds and a lot of time in to-ing and fro-ing with an external designer. With a bit of luck I'll be going to market by the end of the summer.

A bit of advice, it's worth carrying out an IP check early on to ensure you aren't infringing anyone. I did that after making some prototypes out of Meccano but before investing any other money, glad I did even though the IP check came back all clear.

HolyMoly

Original Poster:

45 posts

138 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
^^Thanks for the advice - will have a look at a 3D printer, however, being a bit of a luddite, not sure if I will be able to get my head around it frown

welshjon81

683 posts

158 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
HolyMoly said:
^^Thanks for the advice - will have a look at a 3D printer, however, being a bit of a luddite, not sure if I will be able to get my head around it frown
I'd be happy to help if you want to PM me?

pete_esp

317 posts

112 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
welshjon81 said:
I'd be happy to help if you want to PM me?
Would be happy to share your experience of getting your products to market? Is there any advice you could give on that?

Pete

HolyMoly

Original Poster:

45 posts

138 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
welshjon81 said:
I'd be happy to help if you want to PM me?
Hello Jonathan, I did indeed send you a message yesterday.

welshjon81

683 posts

158 months

Friday 30th April 2021
quotequote all
pete_esp said:
welshjon81 said:
I'd be happy to help if you want to PM me?
Would be happy to share your experience of getting your products to market? Is there any advice you could give on that?

Pete
I say "my products" but they are products for well established manufacturing companies that I have been employed to design for. As previously mentioned, I have never gone it alone as I prefer the stability of a guaranteed monthly wage.

It does hurt though, when something you have worked on for the past 12 months increases a company's net by 2M and you are getting paid a few grand a month! - But I just do not have the connections and ability to amass such a marketing/manufacturing network.

welshjon81

683 posts

158 months

Friday 30th April 2021
quotequote all
HolyMoly said:
welshjon81 said:
I'd be happy to help if you want to PM me?
Hello Jonathan, I did indeed send you a message yesterday.
Thats odd, nothing in my inbox. I have sent you an email also.




pete_esp

317 posts

112 months

Friday 30th April 2021
quotequote all
welshjon81 said:
pete_esp said:
welshjon81 said:
I'd be happy to help if you want to PM me?
Would be happy to share your experience of getting your products to market? Is there any advice you could give on that?

Pete
I say "my products" but they are products for well established manufacturing companies that I have been employed to design for. As previously mentioned, I have never gone it alone as I prefer the stability of a guaranteed monthly wage.

It does hurt though, when something you have worked on for the past 12 months increases a company's net by 2M and you are getting paid a few grand a month! - But I just do not have the connections and ability to amass such a marketing/manufacturing network.
Ah I see, sorry I mis-understood. I know how you feel though!

classicaholic

2,038 posts

87 months

Friday 30th April 2021
quotequote all
Where are you and what are you making, just a rough idea is OK. We design and build custom machines for the paper and plastics industry and might be able to help.

ADogg

1,357 posts

231 months

Monday 3rd May 2021
quotequote all
Product designer here (although now I teach it) with my own 3d printer if I can help out?

HolyMoly

Original Poster:

45 posts

138 months

Tuesday 4th May 2021
quotequote all
ADogg said:
Product designer here (although now I teach it) with my own 3d printer if I can help out?
Thanks - email on its way.

classicaholic said:
Where are you and what are you making, just a rough idea is OK. We design and build custom machines for the paper and plastics industry and might be able to help.
Static product with no moving parts - very simple, almost rudimentary, design.