Product Engineering for Less

I don't know how much of your design you would be willing to divulge in a public forum, but if you could post a drawing, you could probably get a few good ideas here.

Where are you? If you plan on eventually making money from this idea, you need to do some research on the patent process.

To answer your thread, you could have the company sign a non-disclosure agreement. If they think your product has merit, they may be willing to do the work for a percentage of future sales.

Keep walking, gamndia, there are some honest people out there. There are lots of people that just want to rip off inventors.

I have my own similar device, tried to market it to manufacturers of these things. I think I ran into a 'not invented here' syndrome, they were not interested in something not from their own shop.

Personally, I don't have any faith in patents. Once the Chinese start copying something, you're doomed. Even American companies have ripped off American inventors. By the time your case comes up, you are broke. The lawyers make all the money.

Try to find a small manufacturer that will produce your invention. They will work out the bugs and get the item to market. Small machine shops like to have a 'product' that they can produce. It's simpler than bidding and competing on jobs.

"Keep walking, gamndia, there are some honest people out there. There are lots of people that just want to rip off inventors."

? ?

These are very strong word considering we do not have any details of the product or work required to make it ready for market.

Perhaps $15K is a bargain !

Please contact me - we specialize in metal prototype and production fab - PTM Corporation - 586-725-2147 web site www.ptmcorporation.com or www.prototypetoolingmfg.com - Kris Jacobs. We would be glad to quote your design - send your print and we could possibly help you make it even less expensive then what you were first quoted - give us a shot!

This is an useful information for many besides gamundia...

Hi,

I can help you a lot in low cost engineering/prototyping.

Please contact me (sweetechnologies at gmail dot com)

Thanking you.

With Regards

Madhav Chowdhary

SWEE Technologies

Pune City (India)

If you want an engineer to put his stamp on your drawings then he must to be satisfied that it is safe since it is for moving large objects. Do you have a complete set of drawings? $15000 @ $150/hr is only 100 hours which does not seem like a lot of hours. You have the prototype so if you want a cheaper price for the engineering go to an engineer that is self employed and does not have the overhead of a big company.

If you do not get your answer with this fine group I have an associate who is in possession of a beautiful mind and honest to a fault. He could improve and simplify since that is his specialty and under terms you could accept. That said the comments about pirating your design will be the problem. I would start with a (Industrial Design) registration much cheaper and at least dates your invention under legal terms. Get back to me if this is what you wish. royce@domehome.ca. I will then connect you with my associate.

This doesn't exactly answer your question but is still important. You should consider the real possibility that you perfect your device and it falls into the hands of an idiot who hurts himself while using it. To protect your investment you will likely need liability insurance.

to help protect your work and design while waiting on the patent process do what my grandmother told me long ago...take a copy of your designs, photos, notes, anything you have on it and mail it to yourself via snail mail. leave it sealed, the post mark is your proof that you were first with the concept. you might also wish to have your papers stamped and dated by a Notary Public for additional proof.

Go to the nearest engineering school and let a 3 year engenering student help you.

Where you located, I own a small manufacturing, machine/fab shop, in philly burbs, USA, I would be happy to look at it for you. We Design and manufacture, no desire to market.

Jim C

CIPCO

A USA patent would eat up 15K and not even think about it. Find someone you can trust!!!! Network with others that have been successful. It will take some work but it will be worth your investment!