New product design and development

[White Oak]

I've been kicking around a few product ideas in my head and having discussion with co-workers about small hardware that would increase comfort and expand options for climbing arborists. I'm interested in exploring the process of design, fabrication and testing of aluminum or alloy hardware for life support. I don't have experience with technical drawing or computer schematics but I'm into learning and trying new things.

My questions for y'all are: have you had any small life support hardware fabricated? What was the process like from idea to design to fabrication? What's it like working with machinists and what do I need to bring them when undertaking a design/build project together? How do I communicate ANSI standards with the machinists? What step could you reccomend in beginning this process?

Any input or personal experience is more than welcomed. I've been a long time lurker and am frequently inspired by the innovation and collective knowledge base of many contributors to this forum.

 

[Mark Chisholm]

That's a huge undertaking by yourself. Are you against making a prototype and then pitching it to a company to manufacture and test/certify?

Whatever you're thinking of making, do it! I'm excited already. Keep us posted.

 

[treebing]

Find a place like techshop. Where are you located? Look up maker spaces. The best thing t ok happen to America in a while The possibilities are endless. This is a video I did to promote both tech shop and a product I have been working on but it gives you an idea of all the possibilities. This only includes some of the tools available, not seen are the shop bot, cnc machine, welding equipment, industrial sewing machines and much more.

Singing Tree Rope Runner:

 

[White Oak]

Thanks Mark.

At this point I am fairly confident in saying that I am not against any thing nor any avenue of progress.

I think pitching the the prototype to a company would be the way to go. And odds are something similar is in the works already somewhere.

Treebing: I'm located in Richmond, VA. I've seen this video of the RR and it was the initial inspiration for me to do some tinkering. Thanks for the guidance.

 

[treebing]

Check out hackrva.org for a start or some guidance.

 

[monkeylove]

You can also check out "Firstcut" and "Protomold". They do nice work, although expensive sometimes. Sometimes I ever use them for short run that we need in work. Sometimes it is just more cost effective than paying me to make them. If you have a Tech school near by check with the instructor there. Sometimes they have students that are capable and are looking to do something.

 

[White Oak]

HackRVA a will prove to be a great resource for the project or at least a good time. Right near our office too.

ML: the tech school is a great suggestion. Thanks for your input. I'll keep y'all posted with any interesting progress.

I took some time today and tried drawing/drafting the image on an app called iDesign. Seems pretty cool and intuitive to use. Anybody use this or something different for tec drawing?

 

[monkeylove]

You might try Google sketch up, I know it is getting popular. Everything I use is not cost friendly for occasional use. Solidworks, Autocad, and so on.