It may be easy to come up with a good idea for a great product. This may have involved market research and looking into the competition. Once you’ve done these two things, there is a lot more to consider. Turning raw materials into what your products actually become present another challenge. Although there are companies that can assist you with this process, thinking about what is necessary is important.
The types of materials required to make your product depend on what it is and what category it is in. Is this a piece of apparel that requires specific fabrics? Is this a product that is edible and requires organic ingredients? Finding the right materials for the manufacturing phase is essential and should be done as cost-effectively as possible. It is helpful to think about what materials are necessary to make your product and to make a list. Here are 4 materials that are often needed for manufacturing:
Small Volume Soft Materials
Some business owners know in advance that they only intend to manufacture products for a limited time. This means that small volumes are necessary and will require materials that fit this goal. One example in this category is Polyurethane Casting Materials, which are used to create molds. These materials are usually made from silicone or similar soft substances.
Flame Retardant Materials
ABS, Polylac, and Lustran are some of the product manufacturing materials that are used. They are plastics and can be utilized for milling and molding purposes. It is necessary for some products to find materials that are flame retardant. These present safety precautions during the manufacturing process, as well as in functionality.
3D Printing Materials
There are many different uses for 3D printing materials, which are usually for high volume production processes. This printing can be done for marketing products, clothing, and interior décor items. Cobalt Chrome is a popular material that is used for this manufacturing. This is a metal that is corrosion resistant and has a high-strength-to-weight ratio.
Injection Molding Materials
LSR, LSR Medical, and LSR Optical are materials that are often used for injection molding. They are useful for making products that cross industries. The goal may be to create a cosmetic appearance or to achieve temperature resistance. Developing a prototype can benefit you in this overall process. This is a good way to determine which materials are needed and an estimate of these amounts, as well.
Entrepreneur looks at some steps that are important to transform an idea into an actual product. Each idea that fits into the manufacturing category requires materials that are specific to it.
Emma is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2
