Prototyping

Idea... to Prototype... to Finished Device... to Production

The research and design process is vital to the success of your project. During this prototype phase, the final design will be developed and the manufacturing issues pertinent to the design will be assessed. Full cost estimates can be generated for our customers based on various levels of production.

Protecting Confidentiality of the Customer and Their Intellectual Property

Often individuals or companies approach PlasTastic with interesting and valuable new ideas. We are interested in protecting this valuable intellectual property owned by our customers. We encourage our customers to supply us with nondisclosure and confidentiality documents for our signature. We can also assist customers in obtaining U.S. Patent advice from legal counsel regarding their intellectual property. If our customers do not have a non-disclosure document, we can supply this upon request. In all instances, PlasTastic will protect the intellectual property rights of our customers.

Engineering and Design of New Devices

Many of our customers approach PlasTastic with only a vague conception of their new device or product. We can assist in the design and engineering of the new device. Often this requires custom formulation of special compounds. This can be done with consultants to PlasTastic. We also have a number of manufacturing consultants who can assist customers in the fabrication of large-scale production facilities.

Building a New Device - The Prototype Process

Typically a drawing of the new device from the customer is needed in order for us to produce a quotation for consideration by the customer. This drawing will include all the shapes of the new device (geometry), the wall thickness of the device and other pertinent engineering items. After careful consideration of all the factors that go into the manufacturing of the new device, a written quotation will be presented to the customer detailing the number of tools or mandrels required to build the device, the price of the mandrels, the delivery time for the tooling, the number of prototypes to be built, the delivery time for the parts and the method of shipment of the new devices to the customer. Also included in the quotation will be the price for the proposed work to be undertaken, the terms of the agreement and other pertinent data.

Price for Prototype Development Work

PlasTastic charges $200 per hour for prototype development services (plus tax) with the typical new project taking at least 20 hours to complete. This may or may not include the cost of the tooling. The tooling costs will depend upon the complexity of the device to be constructed, the size of the device and the number of prototype parts needed.

Customer Expectation and Prototype Work

The prototype process often involves numerous trials and many "blind alleys". This is the nature of the process, however, and customers should be aware that rarely do finished devices emerge from just one round of prototype development efforts. PlasTastic will try to predict as many of the problems as possible that may slow or even stop a project; however, complete or precise estimates about the future are impossible. The prototype development process allows the customer to pursue their project with a minimal risk and minimal financial exposure.

Prototype Development Process in Brief

Customer provides non-disclosure documents to PlasTastic.
PlasTastic signs non-disclosure document and copies are made for both parties.
Customer supplies drawing of new device to PlasTastic.
PlasTastic submits quotation for prototype work to customer.
Customer agrees to prototype and sends deposit (50%) check.
PlasTastic arranges for mandrel (dipping tool) to be built.
PlasTastic builds the prototype parts.
Prototype parts are sent to the customer.
Final check is sent to PlasTastic.
Customer and PlasTastic review the parts and discuss future work.