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Designing Prototypes: 3D Design Services for Inventors and Companies

Posted on January 11, 2025 by faz_business

Today’s post covers 3D design services and how to design prototypes for inventors and companies. It is important to evaluate whether there is enough demand and whether you’re reaching for the right customers when reassessing the potential of your products. Does your product resolve problems or at least provide answers to real questions? Are your products intentionally aligned with the audience that you have in mind? These are the questions you should first address in order to make sure that your design and products resonate with the market.

Understanding both demand and target audience helps increase your chances of success. But inventors who make it big take things a little bit further. They know and understand that actual feedback about the product is more essential than the insights you can get from simply researching about your market alone. They’ve realized that they need to do so much more and go above and beyond to get these questions answered correctly.

This is where prototyping becomes your indispensable best friend. Prototype design experts design a shrunk, tangible version of your products that lets your customers hold in their hands. Prototypes give you the flexibility to add tweaks and updates and materialize them without the full cost breaking your bank.

Table of contents

More about prototypes

Prototypes are your designs after drinking the shrinking potion from Alice in Wonderland. It can be shrunk version, but still incorporated with all the details and even the functionalities that the actual product is expected to embody. Prototypes can also be in the form of either low-quality or high-quality sketches. The “personalities” engraved in these prototypes help stakeholders get a better glimpse and understanding of your final products.

Types of prototyping

Prototyping has two major types: high-fidelity and low-fidelity prototyping.

High-fidelity prototyping has the same exact external appearance and function as the actual product is intended to possess. This type of working model is worked on by product teams when the designers know what exactly they want to build. This prototype covers the user interface or UI of the product like the visuals, aesthetics, and UX or user experiences. It is also usually incorporated along with the user flow and behavior and caters to interactions between the products and your clients.

The primary purpose when it comes to low-fidelity prototyping is to check and test the functionality of a product rather than its visual appearance and aesthetic. It is a cost-saving, fast, and easy method of turning high-level design concepts into tangible items that serve as a representation of the future product. While the process allows a quick overview of the product, it doesn’t allow the user to perform any testing.

Examples of prototyping

The following are some of the most widely used examples of prototyping in the market:

Rapid models and 3D printing

Rapid models and 3D printing services allow designers to come up with a realistic and functional product model using advanced and high-tech computers and printing machines. It is a prototype that lets businesses switch from the design to the production stage faster because the 3D models can help them pinpoint specific areas that need adjustments and identify flaws. It also takes just a few minutes to adjust those little digital changes to a 3D-printed model.

Sketches and diagrams

Sketches and diagrams are two of the most basic examples of prototyping because they require the least effort and don’t even need any artistic or drawing skills. It starts with the use of sketches to conceptualize and develop a new product. The interface of the product can be drawn on paper together with the front-end design of the product or application. This paper prototype is useful in the conceptualization and design of a new application or product.

Feasibility prototypes

3D designers or businesses may add and use feasibility working models to test specific features that they can add later on in the process of product development. After the initial prototype is developed, the designer can implement changes to the design. Feasibility prototypes can be used for digital and physical models alike. Designers can also use these prototypes for testing and adopting a new idea if they wish to add a critical website or product feature.

Horizontal prototypes

Horizontal prototypes are used by companies to understand a project’s human interface. This prototype shows screens, windows, and menus on a computer to determine how users interact with a website or product. A horizontal prototype also shows the user interface of the product and offers a broader view of it as a whole.

Role-playing prototypes

Experiential or role-playing prototypes are simulation techniques that help improve the user experience of a service or a product. Some designs can take advantage of visualization techniques such as augmented or virtual reality. For example, when testing the first design of a new theme park or circus, the users can walk through the area with the help of augmented and virtual reality.

Storyboards

Storyboards are excellent ways to tell stories and guide customers through seamless user experiences. These are interactive and iterative design methods that use a series of pictures, sketches, and drawings to show the solution to a problem or concern of a user. Drawing the user’s experience helps them understand their issues better. Designers can also use storyboards during the initial stage of prototyping to gather feedback during the early steps in the design process.

Vertical prototypes

Vertical prototypes are technical prototypes designed by prototype design engineers that add details regarding the functions of a particular business process. A vertical prototype expands on some elements of the horizontal prototype and explains the inner functions of the sub-systems in the overall interface. Vertical prototypes are used by companies in the later stages of the design process to elaborate on specific functions or features of a website or product. Vertical prototypes also test essential tasks of an application or software before they proceed to the subsequent design process.

Video prototypes

Businesses use video prototypes to present products in graphic simulations or animated videos that explain a project’s concept. Video prototyping shows speculative and new ideas, products, and designs to prospective customers. Presenting a view gives a good idea of how customers might perceive concepts that might have been otherwise challenging to prototype because of limited resources.

Wireframes

Wireframes serve as the digital diagram or layout of a product. These can be used to produce prototypes of digital tools, software, and websites. A wireframe is a flowchart of a website or software that presents all website pages or software applications and their interconnection with each other. This gives designers and developers a general idea of the appearance of a website and helps them understand its core functionalities. Anyone can use wireframes, from developers to copywriters, to navigate the placement and structure of different content.

Benefits of designing prototypes

Prototypes are now considered valuable tools in the manufacturing industry for many good reasons. The following are some of the critical benefits of designing prototypes:

Design validation

A prototype provides a tangible demonstration of the functionality and design of the final product. Rapid prototype services allow clients to assess the aesthetics, user experience, and ergonomics of the prototype. This will then help them reach better decisions when it comes to possible improvements or changes to the design.

Feasibility testing

Prototyping allows investors and businesses to test the feasibility of the product concepts and ideas they have in mind. They can determine potential issues in the design, feasibility concerns, and technical problems early on in the development phase. This results in lower costs and saves more time than is required for retooling and redesigning.

Intellectual property protection

Designing a prototype offers a proof of concept or POC development. It can also prove ownership of an intellectual property. This can be very valuable when it comes to the protection of your innovations and ideas.

Seamless communication between investors and stakeholders

Prototypes are vital as they help communicate and demonstrate the concept of the product to potential stakeholders, clients, and investors. A functional prototype can increase interest, enhance credibility, and even help secure more partnerships or funding for the future production and development of the product.

Iterative improvement

Designing a prototype also makes way for fine-tuning and iterative enhancements of the product according to testing and user feedback. The iterative approach also guarantees the market suitability of the final product for its target audience.

Presales and marketing

A fully functional and visually appealing prototype can also be used for activities related to presales and marketing. The sales team and marketers can use and present something tangible that will help secure pre-orders, spike interest, and attract more prospective customers.

Market testing

Using prototype design experts allows businesses to perform market testing and acquire valuable feedback from future customers. The input can then be used to improve the product further and ensure that it aligns with the preferences and demands of the target market.

Reduced risk

The validation of the design and functionality of the product through prototyping can help businesses cut down the risks often linked with full-scale manufacturing. The identification of problems and addressing them accordingly in the prototype phase reduces the possibility of costly setbacks and errors in mass production.

Streamlined collaboration

Prototypes can make way for streamlined collaboration among the different teams with different functions, including the designers, manufacturers, and engineers. The product’s physical representation can lead to better alignment and communication during the development phase.

Cost and time savings

Prototyping makes it easier for DFMA companies to carry out quick modifications and iterations, which can lower the costs and time involved in the development process. The ability to identify room for improvement or flaws in the existing design early on in the process can help prevent costly tooling changes or rework later on in the production. This optimizes the timelines and overall costs of the project.

Tips for prototype creation and usage

Below are some helpful tips for developing and using prototypes:

Build the prototype with team members right from the start. Team members can pinpoint room for improvement and then work together to find a solution.

During the development of a prototype, pay attention to solving flaws and move back to the earlier design if a design error is found. The existing one can either be changed, or a new prototype can be made without any problems.

Prototypes can help ensure a design’s safety. For digital products, this means protecting the business and customers from cybercriminals and hackers.

It is critical to promote and endorse the usability of your product when developing a prototype and considering the product’s primary purpose. You should come up with a working model that presents the inspiration that sparked the design.

Never build a flawless working model, as it might delay the actual product’s development. Focus instead of making a prototype of what you need and what is necessary.

How Cad Crowd can help

Cad Crowd connects you with the best prototype design services that can help your company or firm design the best prototypes for your new concept.

MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.

Connect with me: LinkedIn ✦ X ✦ Cad Crowd

The Cost of Hiring a Mechanical Engineering Contractor vs. Full-Time Salaried Employee

Posted on April 2, 2024 by faz_business

In some situations, hiring an independent mechanical engineering contractor is better than hiring a full-time salaried employee with the same qualifications. However, employers must understand the difference between full-time and contract workers to determine the best hiring decision. Since most of the distinctions affect the employer financially, refer to the “employee status” classification established by the Internal Revenue Service.

In general, hired contractors are also your employees as they provide services for you but are not formally part of your company. Contractors pay their taxes on the money received for services provided. Alternatively, full-time salaried employees are part of the company’s in-house team. As their employer, you are responsible for overseeing their performance and work conduct and legally handling the withholding and reporting of their taxes. The following classification description can serve as a valuable reference to prevent overpayment, errors in distinguishing between these categories, and the potential incurring of substantial legal penalties.

Independent contractors

For the sake of simplicity, think of an independent contractor as another company. The employer pays for the services provided, whether on a one-time project or an ongoing basis, but the contractor remains independent of your business. A contractor must not abide by your company’s day-to-day operations and will perform the commissioned duties without strict supervision.

Depending on the terms of the agreement, the contractor may never need to show up at the office. The person can do the job from a separate location. For instance, when hiring a freelance finite element analysis & FEA engineering services consultant, the entire task is conducted through computer simulation, and the resulting data is swiftly transmitted as a digital file, eliminating the need for a physical office presence. The work can start immediately once the employer and the contractor agree on the project parameters (including job description and fee). Unless otherwise noted in the agreement, contractors are aware of the following responsibilities:

File and pay taxes (local, state, and federal) on the payment received from the employer
Supply the tools and equipment necessary for the completion of the project on their own
Have their insurance needs covered
Invoice the employer
Expect only to receive payment as stated in the agreement

When an employer and a mechanical engineer sign the contract, it is safe to assume that both parties understand and accept all terms mentioned in the document. In addition to the project brief and payment schedule, the contract may include clauses about deliverables, project milestones, deadlines, and revisions, to name a few.

Full-time employee

The IRS will classify a worker (who provides services for your business) as a full-time employee if you are legally allowed to dictate when, where, and how the person should perform their duties. In other words, the employer must continually direct, supervise, and oversee how the work is done. Another big difference between a full-time employee and an independent mechanical engineering contractor is taxation. The employer is required by law to report the taxes on the employee.

There are three criteria based on which the IRS classifies a worker as a full-time employee:

Financial control: the employer is responsible for payroll taxation (including Social Security and Medicare) and determines paid leave as well as vacation
Relationship: the employee is involved in ongoing business relationships with clients or customers and co-workers
Behavioral management: to a certain degree, the employer may decide the work schedules and methods performed by the employees

Full-time employees most likely work at the location listed as the company’s address. The company makes available the tools and supplies necessary for the employees to perform the duties assigned. Employees are entitled to wages, workers’ compensation insurance, and overtime. The company is also responsible for fringe benefits like retirement plans and health insurance.

Cost of contract workers

Suppose you must hire a freelance mechanical engineering service with the same qualifications as a full-time employee to do the same services. In that case, the hourly rate is likely higher for the former. However, whether or not the contractor costs less in the long run depends entirely on the business needs.

The typical payment process for a contractor differs from the conventional payroll model. A contractor may accept a lump sum, a percentage of the project’s cost, or an hourly rate payment schedule. Regardless of the methods used, the procedure is quite simple. An employer and the hired contractor agree on the project parameters explicitly mentioned in the signed contract, including the scope of work and salary. The payment is made once all the job requirements are met. Mechanical engineering may ask for an upfront deposit or a portion of the total wage as a retainer. Generally, both parties fulfill their roles in the agreement; the contractors get the job done, and the employer provides the compensation. Although you don’t have to handle the taxation requirement for the contractor, you are still required to supply Form 1099 for the payments made.

Cost of full-time employees

An employer controls a full-time employee’s payment schedule and work performance, as well as the administrative details of the taxation. Salary employees are paid a set amount regularly per period, such as monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly. They receive overtime pay for any day they work longer than the scheduled hours. If the duties for the day are completed quicker than expected, they receive the full salary nonetheless. Hourly employees use a timesheet to log the hours worked. The wage equals the hours spent working. Either way, the paychecks are given weekly or monthly.

The employer withholds a portion of the employee’s salary for taxation and benefits purposes. The employees have agreed to authorize the payment of taxes with each paycheck. They can only worry about taxes at least once the time comes for filing tax returns, usually in April each year.

Extra Cost

There are at least three types of indirect costs associated with hiring a full-time employee:

Fringe benefits: payments for retirement plans, healthcare, paid leave, and worker’s compensation
Administrative: expenses attributed to accounting fees, legal fees, and administrative workers’ salaries
Overhead: the business operational cost that cannot be attributable to a specific project, like office supplies, computer maintenance, hosting services, utility bills, and office rent.

According to Clarity 2022: Government Contracting Industry Study compiled by Deltek, the median percentage values for the indirect costs are 30% for fringe, 22% for general and administrative, and 25% for overhead. Cumulatively, the values equal to (1 + 0.3) x (1 + 0.22) x (1 + 0.25) = 1.98 cost multiplier.

Cost comparison

Even if a mechanical engineering contractor and a full-time employee have the same rate of $60 per hour, the total expense incurred for the latter is more significant. Here is a simple breakdown of the calculation:

Employee Status	Hourly rate	Work Hours per Week	Week	Annual Work Hours	Annual Salary	Cost Multiplier	Total Cost
Contractors	$60	40	52	2080	$124,800	1	$124,800
Full-time	$60	40	52	2080	$124,800	1.98	$247,104

Using the median rate for the indirect cost (multipliers), a full-time employee costs almost twice as much as an independent contractor or nearly double the base salary. Unless the project runs for an entire year, the cost of hiring a contract worker can be much lower. However, every business has many long-term projects in which workers require close supervision. Only some mechanical engineering contractors can replace the equivalent full-time employee. As a company grows more prominent, it is not feasible to keep hiring mechanical engineering contractors for new product design services, prototype design engineering services, oversee a manufacturing process, or investigate equipment failures on behalf of the employer.

Payrate

Mechanical engineering is a high-paying profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the average annual salary of a full-time mechanical engineer in the United States is $95,300 or an hourly rate of $45.82. The wage varies widely among different industries. For example, a mechanical engineer working in metalworking machinery manufacturing earns around $40 per hour. Still, an equally qualified professional hired by a crude oil company is paid an hourly rate of between $60 and $75. Sitting in the middle includes the architectural and engineering services industry, which offers an average hourly wage of $48.46, and R&D services, with an average pay of $54.78 per hour.

On the freelancers’ side, a mechanical engineering contractor may cost between $50 – $80 per hour in the United States and Canada. A professional with an experience level of more than ten years in the industry may charge between $100-200 per hour, depending on the scope of work. If the professional is based outside North America, you will likely get a lower rate (but not necessarily a better deal). For instance, the typical hourly rate for a freelance mechanical engineer in India goes from $30 to $50.

Mechanical Engineering Hourly Rates

Location/Experience Level	Industry or Category	Average Hourly Rate
United States	Overall Average	$45.82
United States	Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing	$40
United States	Crude Oil Industry	$60 – $75
United States	Architectural and Engineering Services	$48.46
United States	R&D Services	$54.78
United States & Canada	Freelance (Entry Level)	$50 – $80
United States & Canada	Freelance (Over 10 Years’ Experience)	$100 – $200
India	Freelance Mechanical Engineer	$30 – $50

This table provides approximate information on hourly rates in the field of mechanical engineering. These figures can vary based on individual qualifications and specific job requirements.

How Cad Crowd can assist

Cad Crowd offers services tailored to both short-term projects requiring specialized skills and long-term strategic initiatives. Utilize the expertise and adaptability of our independent contractors to effortlessly and efficiently manage complex projects.

Connect with us to find out how independent contractors can bring value to your business. Get expert guidance and make the best hiring decisions for your company’s unique needs. Get a quote now.