USA Manufacturers?!?!

[invisible]

I have a e-cig prototype that I want built by a U S A Manufacturer, not a Chinese one. Does anyone know of a US manufacturer directory or some other way to find a manufacturer? I'm not worried about the patent at this time, just the building of a working proto.

I have no idea what to look for on usamanufacturer_com or yp or google.. Sadly I don't even know how to find a Chinese manufacturer. I would assume people would prefer "Made in the USA," right?

 

[JaRod]

I'd start with a computer drawing, 3d images etc, then for a prototype I'd search for a local machine shop, maybe one with CNC equipment that can make a working prototype, its not going to be cheap , you also need to find suppliers for the hardware, screws, orings etc.

 

[drummerskey]

I would second that. If you knew of someone who owned a CNC machine or CNC shop, you likely wouldn't be asking so you would have to come up with a drawing first and then take it to a "precision shop" or machine shop and see if the owner was interested.

There are tons of them everywhere and one of the few booming skilled trades because some of this stuff manufactured there requires tight tolerances and the Chinese either do not do it or don't do it well enough.

You would need to know what material you wanted to have some pretty specific drawings with measurements for everything and then find places like JaRod said.

I would expect about $500 for a prototype at a minimum because you will have parts AND labor.

 

[Pinggolfer]

Check with Hass Automation as they produce CNC machines and sure would know who buys them.

 

[Rickajho]

So you have an idea, and not even a working prototype? You have a huge gap between "nothing" and "manufacturing" you need to fill in there. Manufacturers don't build other peoples prototypes for them - for all sorts of legal and other reasons. You can either try to sell your idea to an investor who will then pony up the money for you to find a machine shop to build a prototype. Or you need to do some more research on what is going to be involved in bringing a working prototype into creation.

Beyond that, this level of discussion regarding start ups or new product creation and development is frowned upon here by the powers that be.

 

[invisible]

So you have an idea, and not even a working prototype? You have a huge gap between "nothing" and "manufacturing" you need to fill in there. Manufacturers don't build other peoples prototypes for them - for all sorts of legal and other reasons. You can either try to sell your idea to an investor who will then pony up the money for you to find a machine shop to build a prototype. Or you need to do some more research on what is going to be involved in bringing a working prototype into creation.

Beyond that, this level of discussion regarding start ups or new product creation and development is frowned upon here by the powers that be.

Yes, I have an idea and no working prototype yet. No, I do not have a huge gap between nothing and manufacturing. I know next to nothing in this field and I know I have more than that. I have a concept and visualization of the product. I have already spoken with local manufacturers to a degree on what it takes. Yes, Manufacturers DO build prototypes for people... Almost all of them. I am doing research, why do you think I'm here? I'm looking for people who may know what it takes in this field. As for your last comment, if this level of discussion is too confusing for you then I would kindly ask you to not say anything at all. This was simply an idea, not a new company or start up. I'm not soliciting anything. Flaming is never appreciated or constructive.

As for the CNC, I'm assuming they work off a CAD? I'm still looking into this, thank you.

 

[NineToez]

Is it something that could 3D printed for a scaled prototype at the least? Sure, it wouldn't fire, but something to just check design tolerances?

 

[olderthandirt]

...this level of discussion regarding start ups or new product creation and development is frowned upon here by the powers that be.

It is?
If true it shouldn't be.

 

[invisible]

I actually looked into a 3d printer; the cost and the utility weren't worth it though. One of my manufacturers does metal and other stuff but they said they could make the case for about $300-400. I might follow up on that route. Although it would not be functional. Another said he could attempt the functional version for $5-20 thousand...

I was watching a young child playing with an e-cig the other day; don't know where he got it from. From this it occurred to me that the child-lock system on the current devices are just not adequate. Because of how they are made and what they are, I see no reason they can't also be safer. There is a lot of potential now to make the child-locks much more effective. The device I have in mind is sitting on pad and paper and the slightly defunct 3-d physical version is sitting on my table. I want a working prototype to approach people with. I'm not sure my cardboard one is going to do it.

I'm wondering if there are any American manufacturers out there that would take on something like this? For a safer future for our children; what do you guys think?

 

[NineToez]

What about a fingerprint scanner, like my iPhone 5s? Not even PBusardo could taste my juice then!

 

[invisible]

I thought of that but the cost would be a bit over the top for that. By the way, finger print scanners are easier to bypass than other locks... Put a piece of film over the sensor and it will highlight the fingerprint already there. So that plus the cost is the reason it's out.

The mechanism that I am using is pretty effective. I can't go into details but lets just say it works.