Are there any NC manufacturers able to make rubber prototypes? I've tried Googling but most companies around here seem to only do plastic prototypes.

11/30/2011 8:32:02 PM

Prototype of what?

11/30/2011 8:49:46 PM

http://www.pierceroberts.com/custom-rubber-capabilities/rapid-prototyping.html

http://www.tse-industries.com/rapid_prototype.asp

http://www.redeyeondemand.com/PJ_TangoPlus.aspx

That last link seems to be your best bet - they have developed prototyping compounds designed specifically to simulate rubber properties. I searched for companies that do rapid prototyping, so if that's not quite the route you're looking for, you may need to try hunting some other places.

EDIT: I think you'd be most interested in their "Tango" series of compounds - there are three on the website (still the last link here) that all have silicone/rubber-like properties.

[Edited on November 30, 2011 at 9:09 PM. Reason : ]

11/30/2011 9:07:43 PM

^ Awesome thanks!

^^ A super cool consumer product that will make me rich Seriously though, it's just a dog toy. But if I could actually make money off of it, either by producing it myself or selling the concept to someone else I won't complain.

[Edited on November 30, 2011 at 9:12 PM. Reason : s]

11/30/2011 9:10:17 PM

Could you make a mold and just make the prototype yourself?

11/30/2011 9:19:15 PM

I already have a first prototype but it's made out of plastic and does not hold up to my dog's chewing action. And she's not much of a chewer so a real dog would probably consume it in five seconds To be honest I don't know a whole lot about working with rubber. Is this something I could do at home without killing myself?

11/30/2011 9:32:51 PM

Sure you could.

11/30/2011 9:48:46 PM

I make small rubber parts all the time using a caulking gun and whatever silicone or RTV gasket maker I have sitting around. You'd of course want to choose a material that will be safe to chew on. Check the caulk isle at the Home Despot. Once it's cast you can freeze it and grind or shave away the excess.

Other links:
http://www.micromark.com/ONE-TO-ONE-and-RAPID-MOLD-RUBBER-32-FL-OZ,7883.html
http://www.devcon.com/products/products.cfm?brand=Devcon&cat=Castable%20Urethanes


[Edited on November 30, 2011 at 10:35 PM. Reason : ,]

11/30/2011 10:29:06 PM

Go on alibaba.com

Find dog toys similar to yours, contact the manufacturer and get a quote. For rubber toys, you can probably get the mold made for a couple grand, and id guess 20-30 cents per unit.

Many factories will even let you pay with a credit card now and will quote you for delivered cost including freight or air shipping

12/1/2011 4:08:10 AM

Ok, I wonder if I'm the only one that thought sex toys at first.

An indestructible, affordable dog toy would be nice- my Weim mix has made quick work of the regular Kongs
and is halfway through the power chewer version.

12/1/2011 8:54:39 AM

^^^ Good to know. I'll probably go that route first so I don't sink too much money into this project right away.

^ Have you tried the Orbee-tuff toys? http://www.planetdog.com/category.aspx?categoryID=46

12/1/2011 9:07:06 AM

Quote :

"Ok, I wonder if I'm the only one that thought sex toys at first. "

no, i came in here to post some like you would find in chitchat

12/1/2011 9:52:41 AM

I expected a thread about this: http://www.prototypejs.org/

12/1/2011 9:55:17 AM

order some polyurethane or silicone molding liquids from http://www.polytek.com/cart/index.php

both can be very tough, but i do not know if they are safe for dogs to chew

these are easy to use and not dangerous to mold at home

12/8/2011 1:42:58 AM

^Yep, I've used polytek many times over the years.

You can make your toy out of anything, then make a mold and pour your own. Fin wins this thread

12/8/2011 7:02:16 PM

just take it to china and get them to do it.

unless times have changed, a few years ago we were trying to get some plastics made and i must say china just about won our business.

12/9/2011 3:54:18 PM