From Ideato Part in Hand
I take projects from initial concept all the way to a physical prototype -- handling the engineering design and coordinating fabrication through my Treasure Valley machine shop network. You work with one person through the whole process.
Start Your PrototypeYou do not manage the machine shop. I do.
Most clients who need a prototype do not have an existing relationship with a machine shop, do not know how to spec out a job, and do not have time to manage back-and-forth with a vendor over drawings and revisions. That coordination falls on you when you go to a shop directly -- and it is a significant amount of work if you have never done it.
When you work with me, everything goes through one person. I design the part, prepare the files, select the right shop from my Treasure Valley network for the process and timeline, manage the job, and deliver the finished prototype to you. You stay out of the middle of it.
Simple parts via 3D printing can be in your hands in about a week. CNC machined metal prototypes typically run around a month from concept to delivery.
Concept and scope
We define what the prototype needs to demonstrate -- proof of concept, fit check, functional test, investor demo -- and scope the work accordingly.
Engineering design
I build the CAD model and prepare fabrication-ready files. Material and process are selected for the prototype goal, not for production -- a fit-check model does not need to be machined from production-grade stock.
Fabrication management
I send the job to the right shop, manage the timeline, and handle any questions or revisions that come up during production.
Delivery and next steps
You receive the prototype. From there we can iterate, refine the design, or begin the production handoff -- whatever the contract calls for.
The right material for the job, not the easiest one to order.
Aluminum
6061 and 7075 for structural prototypes, 2024 for high-strength applications. Light, machinable, and a good proxy for production geometry checks.
Stainless Steel
303 and 304 for general use, 316 for corrosion resistance. Used on the Killer Golf putter line for production-representative prototypes.
A36 Steel
Structural steel for tooling, fixtures, and prototypes where cost matters more than weight. Welds well and machines cleanly.
Plastics
Delrin, UHMW, nylon, and polycarbonate for bearing surfaces, housings, and non-structural components. Material selected for the functional requirements.
3D Printing
FDM and SLA for fit checks, presentation models, and early-stage concepts where speed matters more than material properties. Fastest path to something you can hold.
Other materials
If your project calls for something not on this list, ask. I have a broad material background and can source what the application requires.
The goal of the prototype determines how it gets built.
Proof of concept
Does the mechanism work? Does the geometry do what the model says it does? A proof-of-concept prototype answers the core question cheaply before more is invested.
Fit check
Do the parts go together? A fit-check prototype validates assembly geometry and catches tolerance issues before production quantities are ordered.
Functional test
Does it hold up under load, cycling, or use conditions? A functional prototype uses production-representative materials and tolerances to test actual performance.
Investor demo
Something real to put in someone's hands. A presentation prototype does not need to be functional -- it needs to look and feel like the product.
Tell me what you are trying to prove.
Describe the concept and what the prototype needs to demonstrate. I will respond within one business day with a capped estimate and a timeline.
Start Your Prototype