How do I hire a Mechanical Engineer and/or Prototyping Co.?

[Howling]

I agree with dstig1 about looking for local machine builders. Look for and engineer or company that experience with design AND build of custom equipment. Their past experience (and failures) is a benefit to getting your project done. An engineering student is cheaper but typically doesn't have the experience of what doesn't work in the real world.

I do the electrical and controls side of automation and equipment. Have paired up with a bunch of mechanical engineers to do custom machine design build projects over the years. Down to two that do quality work and I an willing to do additional projects with. Both are mechanical engineers that are able to do the machining and assembly work as needed. Check the references of who ever you find.

 

[finn1]

I can empathize with the OP.

I the position I held prior to retirement, all of the inventors trying to get us to partner with us to commercialize their idea were funneled through my office.

Not one of them had any concept of what it would take to bring their idea to production, and most of the ideas weren’t really any better than what was currently available commercially.

Worst part was how poorly they took it, as a group, when I had to tell them their baby was ugly.

The U.K. statement that it will take in the neighborhood of $100k to shepherd an idea to functional prototype status is probably correct. That’s substantially under one man year of work.

 

[Dadnatron]

I called a local machine shop who referred me to a local engineering/prototyping company. I’ll get in touch with them and see where it goes.

To be clear, this isn’t for a saleable product. This is just for help ‘bettering’ the cutting head I’ve designed which will allow me to better make my pillows. Nothing about what I need will go out the door. But I guess that doesn’t obviate the work involved. If I knew how to do a better job in CAD, I cOuld probably do about 90% of everything I need. I’d rather utilize an engineers experience, but I could do it. I’d have to still have someone make it, ie CNC the structural parts.

We will see. In all actuality, I’d LOVE for an engineer to say ‘ this already can be done with this other machine, you can buy it right here’. I’m not trying to invent the machine, I’m trying to obtain a mechanism which will cut foam in the manner I need. My product is the customized pillows.

 

[fried1765]

I called a local machine shop who referred me to a local engineering/prototyping company. I’ll get in touch with them and see where it goes.

To be clear, this isn’t for a saleable product. This is just for help ‘bettering’ the cutting head I’ve designed which will allow me to better make my pillows. Nothing about what I need will go out the door. But I guess that doesn’t obviate the work involved. If I knew how to do a better job in CAD, I cOuld probably do about 90% of everything I need. I’d rather utilize an engineers experience, but I could do it. I’d have to still have someone make it, ie CNC the structural parts.

We will see. In all actuality, I’d LOVE for an engineer to say ‘ this already can be done with this other machine, you can buy it right here’. I’m not trying to invent the machine, I’m trying to obtain a mechanism which will cut foam in the manner I need. My product is the customized pillows.

Don't bother!
Mike Lindell already has the pillow market locked up!

 

[PILOON]

I've actually come up with a few ideas, some of which I actually DIY produced and sold limited copies.
But then I'm practical as well.
Some I realized would easily be copied offshore at a fraction of any local cost of local production so I dropped them.
Another time I was gifted an existing patent and again after serious consideration declined as I realized offshore would again kill it.

To remember that any product that retails must be built at a cost of 10% of retail (labor and materials)
North american labor then translates this into very high and very automated volume in order to be a successful venture.

One 'invention' that I came up with is now a very commonly used product.
Problem was that I was a minor at the time and so my dad handled it for me.
Again a hick up. The product was related to the company he worked for and as such they 'owned' whatever he created.
The upside is that he was promoted and ended his career very comfortably as they did recognize his (my) contribution.