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Make a CAD model of it, then send that file to get it prototyped. I've used http://www.redeyeondemand.com and http://www.quickparts.com before; didn't have any extreme experiences with either of them (either good or bad).
Make a CAD model of it, then send that file to get it prototyped. I've used http://www.redeyeondemand.com and http://www.quickparts.com before; didn't have any extreme experiences with either of them (either good or bad).
How hard would you say CAD is to pick up for someone with no experience?
You might try a sculpting class at your local community college. It'll get you some basic skills, resources to use, and be inexpensive. Talk to the teacher at some point in class about what you'd like to do. If more of your ideas run this way you'll have a good start. My prototypes usually start out on engineering paper, get a few quick 3D CAD drawings, then get made up in polymer clay as a form for a mold for shell…
1. Shape determines fabrication & material: Flat objects (including faceted, folded) can be best prototyped using paper/boards/sheets. Simply curved objects (cones, cylinders) aka single curvature surfacing & developables can be also done using paper. Complex forms aka double curvature requires either complex fab such as rapid prototyping, molding, pressing etc or rationalization (eg take a sphere cut it in layers, cut out flat sheets, glue, sand ie downgrade to previous option).
2. Drawing: You can use either a mesh 3d editor: sketchup, blender, or NURBS / subdivision surfacing: rhino, solidworks, maya (download demo where available). This is only for the intuitive part of making the form. Even though simpler I would suggest avoiding 2d apps as they tend to be tough ie misleading for physical objects (fine for plans and pcbs)
3. Fun: code it! You need OpenGL + you favorite language. Generate a polyhedral model, flatten it send to printer, assemble. Or just write out an STL file (super simple text format) and send it to a 3d printer (by far the easiest method for noobs). If you want cheep use z-corp powder puff machines (ceramic-ish), if you want an actually functional prototype use SLS (plastic)
4. Find a product designer or architect (the building kind) and work together =)
hope that helps
Make a CAD model of it, then send that file to get it prototyped. I've used http://www.redeyeondemand.com and http://www.quickparts.com before; didn't have any extreme experiences with either of them (either good or bad).
How hard would you say CAD is to pick up for someone with no experience?
Rhino has an evaluation version which is limited to 25 saves. They have very good tutorials, extensive documentation and an amazingly helpful support team and user group.
You may be able to find such a program at a local university and ask a college student to make it for you. Whether or not you are planning to patent it, you will want to have them assign all rights to you, making this a work-for-hire, and be careful about the co-invetor stuff. Alternatively, you can get in with a local high school and borrow the shop class. Back in high school, I remember those old custodial staff messing around in shop class for their personal project (while the teacher spent time playing Quake with my friends and I).
Lastly, I highly recommend checking out Stephen Key's articles, such as this interview: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/11/26/a-beginners-...
It includes a video where Key shows how he prototyped one of the ideas he had. There are other information in there too about licensing strategies.