[skan]

Hello

I'd like to build a physical prototype of a new kind of high security lock.
I don't have the proper tools (and of course I don't have a CNC machine) and I've thought that I could pay some online company to build it for me.

I've found these:
bigbluesaw, teamwhyachi, firstcut, emachineshop

Do you have any experience with them?.
Can you recommend any other?

I'll do it in steel, or aluminium if steel is too expensive.
Maybe I get some parts from one company and some other from other to avoid that they could copy my ideas.
It could also be done with any other manufacturing method. I accept advises.

regards

[harryn]

If you really want to control your IP, make up a sketch of each part and have them made locally by 2 - 3 small shops.

Have the proto made from the same materials you plan to have the final product made from, or very close. The materials only represent a small portion of the final product, but a big portion of the use / marketing of your product.

As a practical matter, most people in your position need some advice on how things are actually built and fit. For this reason, I suggest that you find one local machine shop to help you build the entire prototype, one that has the ability to scale up to at least a few 100 per month - which isn't that hard.

The moment you send a drawing off to those services / China, your entire product will be gone before you build 10.

The prototype stage is the most expensive part of a project, production of most items is actually pretty reasonable once you hit 100 to 1 000 parts, especially if you think through what kind of machine the part will be built on when you start the design.

[harryn]

You might also consider to build a proto yourself - in delrin or PVC plastic. If the parts are small, consider to make it 3X actual size. These plastics can be hand machined with a file and some time. Delrin is similar to brass in terms of characteristics.

I am not sure about Spain, but here we have an on-line company called "craigslist" where people offer various services. Just type in "cnc" or "machining" or similar. You might find a local hobbiest who can help you.

[skan]

Hi

The idea is to have the prototype build in order to show that is very difficult to open without the proper key. Somebody would try to hack it.
I think it would be a good idea to make it real size.
If it were much bigger it would be much easier to insert tools in the keyway.

Anyway I'm not in hurry.

[skan]

My idea is not to mass produce it but to sell the prototype to any big company. For that I need to show that it works

[fizzissist]

The moment you send a drawing off to those services / China, your entire product will be gone before you build 10.

You have no idea how true that is. I have a first hand story about a major mfg's product that was in the tooling phase, ... While the tooling was being made, a pirate company had ALREADY produced, and had on the black market, the fakes.

[skan]

You have no idea how true that is. I have a first hand story about a major mfg's product that was in the tooling phase, ... While the tooling was being made, a pirate company had ALREADY produced, and had on the black market, the fakes.

Maybe is not worth my effort and money to create it. ¿?