Prototype Speeds Product to Market

He had designed an innovative paint roller cleaning system that combines all the tools needed for painting in one tool, including a roller frame, transparent spatter guard, paint-saver tool, and an innovative cleaning device that can clean paint rollers in less than two minutes--and he knew he could sell it at a fraction of the price of buying the tools separately. Potential customers, as well as several local retail outlets, confirmed his belief in the marketability of the product.

Now Wallace needed a prototype of the system that would make potential partners sit up and take notice. "I needed to get companies interested," Wallace says. "I've been working with ProtoCAM (Northhampton, PA) for four years on several products. I do the inventing, rough design and patent work here.

Wallace e-mailed ProtoCAM the sketch of the design and layout. ProtoCAM develops the 3D CAD models and drawings for review. The design is done with a complete understanding of the injection molding process and the parts are ready for manufacturing. Once approved, an SLA master pattern is created for final inspection and to ensure fit and function of the device. After the SLA pattern is approved, an RTV mold is created to produce a close representation of the final molded parts, complete with color and textures.