A common problem across the making world is the lack of ability to quickly scale product/part manufacturing at a reasonable cost. Having your products' CAD files parked at multiple virtual machine shops can help you pump out products on a whim. Here are a few resources that might help you navigate spikes in order volume.
Whether you are looking to have parts made on a very small scale or very large scale you are in luck. Virtual machine shops are popping up left and right allowing anyone with a computer and some free CAD software to play Mr(s). Engineer.
Start here:
Ponoko is a great place to start as they provide links to CAD software you can use to design new parts as well as offering a service to fabricate said part.
http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/design-it-yourself
Shapeways is another great starting place for having your parts created. You can find them at:
http://www.shapeways.com/
Swing through here:
Have you pumped out a few prototypes and are now looking to sweeten the deal by scaling up your quantities and minimizing your manufacturing costs? Check out mfg.com:
http://www.mfg.com/
ImagineN4tion spoke with a representative from mfg.com recently about the viability of small to medium scale operations having their products produced through the mfg.com platform. Mfg.com confirmed that their service is not only for the big fish in the sea but also the small fish, aka: Makers attempting to scale up their product manufacturing capability. Here are the tips we received for small fish maximizing the value in their platform:
1) Submit RFQs (Request For Quotes) for multiple products at the same time. This helps the manufacturers realize you are a serious potential client that did not simply make one product and only need three of them manufactured.
2) Do not send out RFQs left and right unless you are seriously looking at having something created. Forcing manufacturers to spend their time pricing quotes repeatedly and then never placing an order does not reflect well on you. Thus, use RFQs with products you are serious about scaling up.
3) Use your mfg.com account representative as an information resource. When you create an account with mfg.com you will be contacted by one of their account representatives. These account representatives are very helpful and can help you navigate the landscape of the manufacturing world. They are a valuable resource. Make use of them!
End here:
Sell all your widgets and booyah, Profit.
Whether you are looking to have parts made on a very small scale or very large scale you are in luck. Virtual machine shops are popping up left and right allowing anyone with a computer and some free CAD software to play Mr(s). Engineer.
Start here:
Ponoko is a great place to start as they provide links to CAD software you can use to design new parts as well as offering a service to fabricate said part.
http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/design-it-yourself
Shapeways is another great starting place for having your parts created. You can find them at:
http://www.shapeways.com/
Swing through here:
Have you pumped out a few prototypes and are now looking to sweeten the deal by scaling up your quantities and minimizing your manufacturing costs? Check out mfg.com:
http://www.mfg.com/
ImagineN4tion spoke with a representative from mfg.com recently about the viability of small to medium scale operations having their products produced through the mfg.com platform. Mfg.com confirmed that their service is not only for the big fish in the sea but also the small fish, aka: Makers attempting to scale up their product manufacturing capability. Here are the tips we received for small fish maximizing the value in their platform:
1) Submit RFQs (Request For Quotes) for multiple products at the same time. This helps the manufacturers realize you are a serious potential client that did not simply make one product and only need three of them manufactured.
2) Do not send out RFQs left and right unless you are seriously looking at having something created. Forcing manufacturers to spend their time pricing quotes repeatedly and then never placing an order does not reflect well on you. Thus, use RFQs with products you are serious about scaling up.
3) Use your mfg.com account representative as an information resource. When you create an account with mfg.com you will be contacted by one of their account representatives. These account representatives are very helpful and can help you navigate the landscape of the manufacturing world. They are a valuable resource. Make use of them!
End here:
Sell all your widgets and booyah, Profit.
