Designing a product

[cashmax]

I have an idea for a motorsport product that I want to try and progress. Never done this before but it strikes me that China or Taiwan are the obvious places to get it designed and built. Anyone here got an experience of something like this?

[MustangGT]

Do you want to see any money from it, if so, those countries are not really the best bet.

[StevieBee]

cashmax said:

China or Taiwan

Manufacturing, perhaps. Not design.

Search for Product Design Companies.

[Bradders278]

Is it an item to be used by a team, or on the car?

Eg; is it a new spanner, headset, helmet, wheel gun, or tool belt? Or is it a new performance enhancing part for a vehicle?

I spanner (infrequently) in the GT Cup (Lambo Super Trofeo) so may be able to comment on your idea also from a mechanics perspective also?

Scott.

[spikeyhead]

These could well help with the design

https://www.paconsulting.com/about/global-innovati...

and help choose an appropriate manufacturer, as you can't do a good design unless you understand how it's going to be made

[Caddyshack]

Let me know if you want anything simple drawn in cad and prototype 3d printing etc.

[Scaleybrat]

If it’s a product that has potential to be protected by patent, be careful with any disclosure to designers, manufacturers or advisors. You need a watertight NDA before sharing your idea.

[spikeyhead]

and if you can't protect it with a patent you need a watertight strategy to make it not worth copying

[poppopbangbang]

cashmax said:

I have an idea for a motorsport product that I want to try and progress. Never done this before but it strikes me that China or Taiwan are the obvious places to get it designed and built. Anyone here got an experience of something like this?

UK Design and manufacture can still be surprisingly competitive in some cases but it depends on exactly what it is - simple machined part from a grade of material where it isn't too important that it's actually that is a no brainer for China manufacture.

When it comes to protecting IP it's not just about having NDAs, patents (which you will need for each area you wish to protect in at several K each) but also about having the funding to protect the patent. Realistically for most small products you're better getting to market rapidly and having a brand around it that generates positive feelings around having the genuine item. In a lot of cases this is a better strategy that trying to legally enforce a patent on an East Asian factory.

Nearly everyone these days is local design support then world manufacture.

Feel free to drop me a DM if you don't want to post details publicly (which is sensible) and I can put you in touch with some UK design resource.