3d Solid Laser Modeling & More -  What to Expect

When I've received a project, whether it's 2d-3d solid modeling, 3d organic modeling or 3d solid laser modeling, I usually put about 5 to 15 hours into an initial design. I will listen to you, look at any sketches or drawings you have and come up with a rough 3 dimensional computer model. This 3d modeling service costs $300 to $900. You will receive edrawings that you can look at 3 dimensionally and use to refine your design.

 

During the design refining process I work for $60 per hour. This is where all the design, material, styling and manufacturability questions are solved. Most computer model iterations get done within 10 to 15 hours, although more complicated 3d modeling like 3d organic modeling can take longer. After you are satisfied with your design, the computer models, whether 2d-3d solid modeling or 3d solid laser modeling, are ready for production quotes.

 

I usually contact three production shops for quotes. I send them the computer models over the internet in the 3d modeling format that they choose. Using these computer models they will tell us how much the production process will cost and how much each part or assembly will cost. I usually spend about 1 to 3 hours (for parts and simple assemblies) preparing the files, contacting the shops and preparing a report for you. This costs ($60 to $360) (large assemblies greater than 4 parts may be more time consuming). Machined parts and parts without tooling are straight forward costing. Ballpark injection mold production tooling costs are around $5,000 to $90,000 per tool depending on how complex the part. The price of each part depends on cycle time (how quick the part can be made) and material cost per part.

 

There are less expensive alternatives to production tooling. Sometimes this is the best way to get your product to market. These however produce a more expensive part.  

 

Your Responsibility For The 3D Modeling Process

 

You are interested in the cost of the part delivered to your customer. This includes the profit, mold amortization, the part price, handling the part, assembling the part (if necessary), packaging the part, bar codes and shipping to your customer. I can support this effort with electronic pictures and 3d solid laser modeling and other 3D models that can be manipulated on computers (jpeg, pdf, ppt, edrawings,  etc.). Using this information you can decide if the design is feasible.

 

When you are satisfied that the product is feasible we can build a prototype of the 2d 3d solid modeling design. I have prototype shops that I use to make Stereo-Litho models for plastic, laser cut and break pressed parts for metal and machine shops. These look just like the finished part and can be used as a market research tool. You can take this prototype to your customers and see if they will buy it at the price you can make it. Prototype parts cost about $150 to $2000 per part again depending on the complexity.

At this point you may have only $1000 to $4000 into the project. Your customers will give you your most valuable input, they will suggest improvements. Using these suggestions we revisit the design refining process, production quote process, part cost process and if the changes are radical enough we do another prototype. 

 

When you are convinced that we have a winning design we can commit to tooling and production. Then your real work starts. You are in business.
 
Call now and let's get to work!
 
 Rob Drew
 Archbar Design
 360-901-2675