DangerouslyExplosive:
Here's a breakdown:
One of the largest expenses I am looking at is a new CPU. Sure, I've got a computer. Its an Intel MacBook 4.1 from 2007, running OS X 10.5.8. Its a decade old, it can barely run the older versions of the IDE, and I can guarantee it won't run any of the software I need to run the tools I need or the CAD programs I plan on using for design and analysis. And when I do get a new CPU, I need to get one that can do all of those things quickly and efficiently and for a good number of years (so I don't have to upgrade again anytime soon). For this reason I am looking at a more expensive, higher end laptop. So that chunks out about $1000 right there.
Buy a raspberry PI 3 for < $100, connect a 2nd hand screen, keyboard & mouse and you have a 4 core development machine for less than $150. You can run 1.8.5. For $1000 you have a house full of these.
CAD is indeed pricey, but there are possibly cloud solutions that may adequate.
From there, I need a decent 3D printer and a laser cutter/engraver for fabrication, which cuts out another $1500 dollars, assuming I spend about $750 on each machine for a well-rated, reliable product.
Search for a FABLAB in your neighbour hood, you definitely do not need to own all these tools yourself - unless you are in a remote area - find local partners for these kind of tools.
Then, all of the parts for both prototypes will end up being around $500. If I end up making multiple for each to get a working version, that'll be about $750. If I continue to make multiple of the working versions as planned, let's say 4-5 of each, then that adds up to about $2500 right there.
I read that you need multiple things to redo your prototyping.
Reuse is mandatory when you're a startup imho.
And do not start developing before you have (0) defined your market and proofed the market needs (1) your requirements 100% clear and (2) your design as perfect as possible. The second means that how hard you think you cannot think of any scenario that will either break or improve your design.
Then it is time to start prototyping, mainly to proof your design works.
So:
Did you identify the market, and have you done market research to verify the need is real?
Do you have your requirements for the project 100% clear?
- this include what the system should do, do not, legal aspects, safety etc.
- 80++ % is the triggerto start designing
- Note: If you need prototyping to get your requirements clear you have a substantial different kind of project.
Is your design fool proof (to the best of your skills)?
- did you identify development risks? if not, look again.
- if you cannot improve your design anymore it is time to start prototyping
Add it all up, and the sum is $5000. Who said development from scratch was cheap?
It is never cheap but one can make it as expensive as one likes. No offence, but I safe quite some money by reusing old materials for prototyping. 2nd hand stores are a great source of all kind of materials e.g. old toys with motors gears etc are perfect to proof a concept. Disicting these give you also insight about their design too.
As for the ideas, I have them written out quite plainly in front of me, with full sketches and the whole shebang, almost every key aspect labelled and explained. I won't post that here, though, because ideas are exceptionally easy to steal on the Internet. I do specify the nature of the ideas to the companies I reach out to, but they don't seem interested.
Fair enough, so you have requirements and design clear apparently. Did you do your marketing?
Do you ask why the companies are not interested?
There are many reasons and your project should be able to improve from those reasons.
And yeah, my alias is Dangerously Explosive. When I reach out to companies, I use my real name, which I won't divulge here.
Hope that answers some of your questions!
-D.E.
Fair enough
My real name is Rob Tillaart but to hide myself I removed the space in the middle so nobody recognizes me