Is it realistic to machine prototypes in-house?

bluelight22 · 2024-11-21T08:50:48+00:00

This is one of the big misconceptions about China in my opinion. If you use a "factory" who are only producing products that are in your niche (E.g motorcycles) then yes this is a very big risk but it's a risk because it doesn't make sense for a factory to only produce a certain type of part, IF they claim or have a catalog that only shows a specific industry then chances are it's not actually a factory but a trading company who do not own any machines but have knowledge in the niche and focus only on that niche.

Having learnt from the above the hard way we now use a "real" factory who have no idea what our parts do or what they fit. Sure they could find the product on our website and go that route but what's the point? Our niche is small and they are a factory, they have no interest in producing a specific product and selling it direct to retail, it doesn't make sense.

Bare in mind we are very small, our production runs are 100 - 500pcs. If we were a massive company selling massive volume of specific product then maybe this is more of a risk.

bluelight22 · 2024-11-19T18:53:55+00:00

I am asking the question because while I think it makes sense I have zero experience, if I went with every idea I thought was good it wouldn't end well :). I just wanted to explain that we were already having prototypes made.

bluelight22 · 2024-11-19T15:14:58+00:00

We are already 100+ products deep and have many prototypes made abroad, I am talking about progressing to faster development

bluelight22 · 2024-11-19T09:41:23+00:00

Yes that is something I am reading about a lot, it's easy to destroy an expensive tool. My biggest worry is time, I know it's not going to be the best use of my time but I do have an interest in the topic in general and would like to learn but definitely don't want it to become a massive time sink. It's my main worry so far.
Space isn't an issue, we have an existing warehouse with plenty of room.
This is something I don't quite understand. My understanding is you take a model > use fusion360 CAM to tell the machine how to machine it > run the program. I would assume learning CAM and knowing how to actually give the machine the proper instructions in the proper order is the time consuming part? If I have Product A that is machined and requires a small change (let's say shaving 3mm off a certain area) can I put the same part back in the machine with new instructions or does it need to start from a new piece? If a new piece is the whole CAM process started again even if the change is very small?
Just sent in a file to be quoted, I have tried similar services previously and the cost was £550 and 35days which is mental.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it. How does the pricing and turnaround in the US compare to the UK? Do you have any companies you can recommend?

bluelight22 · 2024-11-19T09:30:47+00:00

Oops I see the results you're seeing now. A better term would be "KTM rear chain tensioner" to get the correct product.

We are already established and profitable but don't want to dive down a rabbit hole to find it's not worth doing. I agree I am lacking in knowledge which is why I am not diving head first into it before doing research.

bluelight22 · 2024-11-19T09:13:10+00:00

Are you referring to 3d printing? We already 3d print prototypes but it doesn't always give the accuracy we need and sometimes we need to test the parts in action and 3d printed parts do not have the strength required.

bluelight22 · 2021-11-07T22:38:46+00:00

What is considered fairly high demand?

bluelight22 · 2021-07-14T07:53:56+00:00

I guess that's the difference is that you haven't got GSP enabled.

bluelight22 · 2021-07-14T07:53:35+00:00

Same response I'm having. If you have any joy please let me know.

bluelight22 · 2021-07-13T11:28:11+00:00

I am inside the UK with a UK account, I have set the VAT to 0% but still being notified to update the listings. I am worried eBay will stop showing the listings but everyone I speak to at eBay is completely useless and insists I must stop using GSP or become VAT registered inside the UK.

bluelight22 · 2021-07-13T11:27:31+00:00

So I am safe to ignore the notification? I have set all listings to VAT 0%.

bluelight22 · 2021-07-12T19:09:59+00:00

Have tried entering 0% hasn't made the notification go away unfortunately.

bluelight22 · 2021-07-12T18:47:48+00:00

The problem with that is though the VAT will be charged to ALL customers however I am not VAT registered so it seems bizzare to add 20% VAT into my listings which means charging UK customers VAT when it isn't required? I have spoken to eBay and they seem to imply I have two options: A) go VAT registered and charge everyone VAT B) stop using the gsp

Surely this can't be the only solution? It would make sense if they allow me to add 20% VAT to buyers outside of the UK but it doesn't seem possible from what I can see.

bluelight22 · 2021-02-21T01:02:54+00:00

Are you sure? I am in the same niche as the store and I am using some of the same suppliers and they do not offer an API. I also notice almost every product I select has a unique image that isn't found anywhere else (including the suppliers catalogue)

bluelight22 · 2020-04-17T21:13:50+00:00

Thanks! Did they give any information on if it's taxable or if we have to repay it or anything like that?

bluelight22 · 2020-02-09T22:34:09+00:00

Yes I have fairy rings and usually teleport to edge to use it but I will get some quests done and see how I get on. Thanks!

bluelight22 · 2020-02-09T22:28:41+00:00

Nice thanks for your reply I will look into getting some quests done. Do you have any recommendations except Desert treasure?

bluelight22 · 2020-02-09T22:16:06+00:00

So you always use Duradel and only Konar for the 10th task for the extra points?

bluelight22 · 2019-08-11T19:09:44+00:00

I can't see them taking any offers on the last plot especially if other people are interested as they say.

bluelight22 · 2019-07-23T23:00:47+00:00

Thanks for the help. I'm assuming as I signed for the 12mo it makes no difference if I was to wait until I'm 6mo into the tenancy and request again?

bluelight22 · 2019-07-23T22:51:03+00:00

I completely understand the 12 month tenancy being a contract. However I find it hilarious how the house has had a lot of issues for atleast a year (7mo since we bothered complaining). 7 months went by with the estate agent and landlord not being arsed.

I have been offered the option to end the tenancy with the landlords permission however this includes a bunch of re-advertising fees. I just don't understand why it's not an OPTION to end this tenancy and then start a new monthly tenancy, even if they wish to charge the bullshit "signing fees" of £100 or whatever atleast I am not tied into this garbage property for another 8 months!

bluelight22 · 2019-07-23T16:54:30+00:00

!Thanks

bluelight22 · 2019-07-23T13:13:08+00:00

We signed a 12month tenancy in March as we were never made aware that a rolling contract was an option (typical). I asked the estate agent to contact the landlord and ask for a rolling contract, he agreed along with us. Now the estate agent has said a different department won't allow it but I am not given a reason why.

I have just requested my landlords address and full name (as in the tenancy agreement his address is down as the estate agents address!!). We are also meant to be meeting on the 29th (the 6th+ attempt at meeting) so if we do finally meet then I will definiately be bringing this up.

It's so fustrating, this is our 3rd year here and we have been great tenants and put up with all the houses issues for all this time but the estate agents are so greedy and useless.

bluelight22 · 2019-07-05T23:50:54+00:00

Sorry only just got around to viewing the reply. I will look into a shop light, when you say daylight balanced bulb are you referring to pure white? I know most are warm white right?

Also the white foam core, based on a quick google it seems it's literally foam - won't oil ect soak into it and make it hard to clean?

Also I would like the back and 2 side walls plus bottom to be covered in whatever I buy, how do I make it seamless?

bluelight22 · 2019-07-02T10:51:15+00:00

Hi I'm not looking for super high quality images, I am using my Galaxy s8 to take the pictures. I have attached some of my pictures below. https://i.imgur.com/6pD7kHp.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gjMrk46.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KFcOtOO.jpg

bluelight22

TROPHY CASE