Inventors, what's useful in making rough prototypes?

Question

I'm writing a handbook for inventors, and I'd like to know what's most useful in constructing a broad range of rough prototypes? I know duct tape is pretty universal, but I'm not sure about the rest.

If you can answer that question, then I'd also like to know if there's anything special that's essential to building demonstration or working prototypes.

Thanks!

Answer 1

It depends on what you are looking for from a prototype, is it a mechanical system mock up, a visual (solid) model, a functional circuit.....

For Visual stuff, I like clay, vac formed plastic, hot wire cut poly, epoxy (Possibly via a rapid prototyping rig), timber (especially balsa - you can shape it with a set of files), brass, ally, copper (but that is a pig to machine).

For small mechanical systems, meccano (the old kids toy) is hard to beat sometimes.

For electronics, vereoboard has to come well up the list, a mcu/pld programmer and development kit is also very handy.

Knowing basic glass blowing is sometimes a very useful skill.

Matlab can be a real time saver sometimes, as is solidworks.

One useful tip is that a good Lathe can fill in (sometimes at the cost of a little pain) for many of the other machines and IMHO is the place to spend the cash when setting up a mechanical development workshop.

Acquiring a working knowledge of physics, math, chemistry, machining, woodwork, electronics, mechanics, plumbing, gear cutting... is also very useful. You don't need to be a master of all of these, but having a reasonable chance to spot when you are going down a obvious blind ally is a real time saver.

Finally, a good library is VERY useful, often the sections on things like theatrical prop making are as useful as the ones on engineering.

Books to recommend:
Building scientific apparatus, it has loads of good stuff on how to work with glass & metals.

The "CRC Rubber Bible" (Handbook of Chemistry and Physics) is a goldmine of material properties.

"The art of electronics", Is a good non specialist guide to the subject.

Get hold of every catalogue and data book you can, some of these are a total goldmine of information, the less you have to reinvent the better.

Some of the older reference books are actually better then the modern ones!

HTH.

Regards, Dan.

Answer 2

A prototype is a goldmine of structural and visual information for investors. Being able to test and examine and even play with a prototype is phenomenal to the investors.

Answer 3

It entirely depends on which type of prototype you want to make different prototype can be made with different material. Take for example Car, You can use wax, clay card board, metal sheet to creat it'sprototype. It depends on which level we need to make the presentation and it's ultimate application so that we can prepare nearest resumbling prototype with suitable material. For further information you can log on to www.freemankpo.com

Answer 4

hi this is interesting i have invented few things the problem to me there was no written material about the stuff i invented
this may be because i live in the 3rd world
about ur question
i invented a mobile scaffold but i had to build a big one that costs alot because the is no code for scaffolds

Answer 5

How are you writing a book for inventors if you don't know how to do it your self? Does any one else think that is funny.
Breadboards are useful.

Answer 6

an investor likes a prototype. it lets them see and touch and play with the product. a blueprint doesnt do that.

Answer 7

Cash, lots of it.
The most important thing is a wide skills base.

Answer 8

useful for spotting snags you hadn't thought about, visual impact etc.