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June 18, 2018 at 10:04 am
We love showcasing our client’s products, especially when they have really great ideas! So in this blog post we’re going to show you one of the latest products we’ve prototyped as part of a kickstarted campaign (go and check out the kickstarter here, they would love your support!).
If you have ever wondered how to get a prototype made for a kickstarter campaign, and what steps are involved then this is the blog post for you.
Never heard of prototyping? Find out what a prototype is here
Here at J-CAD we’re proud to introduce you to the “Steppy Top” the newest kid’s toy conceived by Michael Sima, a brilliant inventor who came up with a refreshing way of helping kids play and grow at the same time.
Michael wanted to design a safe and easy to use product for his kids, who weren’t able to reach toys and other items high up on shelves, counter tops and desks, that they would use every single day. Here is a video of the final product in use:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/d0oOB6LxtbY
The Steppy Top is a multi-purpose 3D printed stool, desk and play table, all combined into this convenient product that has been designed based on the idea of kids becoming a bit more independent, and of giving them a product that allows them to do more things without the need of an adult (although some initial supervision is recommended to make sure they’re using it in the right way).
With the Steppy Top, your kid will have a lightweight stool to support them while doing daily activities that would otherwise be hard for them to do due to their height / reach.
You can forget about your kid pushing heavy and unstable chairs around the house to reach their toys in the closet, or having to brush their teeth for them because they can’t reach up to the mirror or sink.
The Steppy Top is water resistant and easy to carry around. It’s also safe for kids and its detachable top will turn this simple stool into a desktop where your kid will be able to draw and color, or do their homework on a smooth surface with plenty of space to accommodate full sheets of paper.
Michael contacted us to turn his product idea into a reality, and we did what we to do best; we provided an affordable solution to start prototyping the invention he had dreamed of.
The only thing Michael had to do, was to send his sketches and tell us a bit about his idea; the way he wanted it to be. We started collaborating with him on the design phases of the Steppy Top, and we elaborated his sketches into a 3D CAD model he absolutely loved and which perfectly fitted his vision for the end product.
This is what the 3D CAD model looked like:
Once the CAD model was finished, we 3D rendered a “painted” model of the stool, so that Michael could see how it was going to look like when printed, or adjust colors before we finalized his prototype (which he ended up doing, deciding to use black instead of white for the top and step):
After final decisions had been made about colors, and the design had been checked to make sure it was physically viable and would be weight-rated to the capacity Michael required, it was just a matter of printing a 3D prototype. As part of this process, we took care of finding the right materials for the prototype that provided the best weight balance at a very affordable price. This was the result after 3d printing the CAD model we had created:
It obviously looks a little plain at this point, so the next step is to add color, feet and other finishing touches:
Here is the prototype with final details like rubber pieces and painting completed:
This is what the final prototype looks like (you can also see it in use in the video above):
Michael was so excited when he saw his idea become a physical object he could see, touch, and SELL!
Now Steppy Top is trademarked and patent pending, and is going through the final development and manufacturing phases, if you’d like to, you can support Michael or order a Steppy Top in two different ways:
Click here to buy your own Steppy Top NOW! (while supplies last), or click here to support Michael’s Kickstarter campaign (still 53 days to go).
A lot of people think it’s difficult to create a product, but honestly if you know the right people with the right skills and knowledge it’s not. All you really need is a marketable idea that people will love (hopefully with the ability to go viral).
Once you communicate your design to us, we’ll get your product together. We can even help you with promoting your Kickstarter campaign if you’d like us to.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help make your idea a reality by using the live chat on the screen, email jason@jcadusa.com, or using our quick quote form here.
Jason Vander Griendt is a Mechanical Engineering Technician with years of experience working at major companies such as SNC Lavalin Inc, Hatch Ltd. Siemens and Gerdau Ameristeel. He is the CEO of JCAD – Inc., a company he started in 2006 after seeing a gap in the market for businesses who could assist clients through the entire product design and manufacturing process.
Jason has been featured in Forbes, has had his businesses analyzed and discussed in multiple start-up books, was a previous winner of the Notable8 Digital Innovator of the year award, and is a regular guest on business panels and podcasts. Email Jason at jason@jcadusa.com or follow him on LinkedIn.