Consider a very small (3 inch by 1 inch) and very light (75g) chrome plated steel object that I want to change the design of, what is the best way to do that? A bit worried about painting as I read that getting the chrome off releases chromium. Engraving may damage the chrome plated object itself as the whole thing needs a completely new design and engraving over the whole thing seems expensive. Also considered silicone overmolding on top of the object. Is there any strategy you recommend to change the design? What would be the approximate cost if it’s a small bulk order (like 1000 units)? s ..read more

Guys, I need to make a foam core for fiberglass lamination and it's a big (1x1x1m)and very complex coupound surface. I've decided to have my friend machine it for me out of 5-10cm thick xps foam boards in layers that I will then stack. But the thing is it's way more expensive than I anticipated. Hot wire cutting is out of the question because it won't make my surfaces right and even if I leave some material to hand shape, I also won't be able to keep it symmetrical as I need. One idea I had, if perhaps a robotic arm like they use for making car foam models would be cheaper? After all it ..read more

I’m looking for a cheap clothe printing manufacturer and possibly a distributor that has great quality. I don’t want to buy in bulk as I am a small company. I am looking for T-shirt and jumper printers. I would like the jumper to be super thick and comfy. submitted by /u/Hunter_ahchow [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

We're looking to source a bottle similar to these (the Similac version preferred), but I'm having a hard time finding the right words to describe the structure of this bottle, specifically the wider top and bottom parts that seem to aid the user in filling and keep the bottle stabilized. Follow up question: Would Abbot Laboratories (owners of Similac) offer these bottles for private label purposes? Or, any advice on how one might find a similar alternative that might be stocked, as we'd prefer to stay away from investing in tooling/molds. Links to photos: https://imgur.com/MJdpZqc https ..read more

Hi all – new to the sub (and Reddit!) but have been reading through a bunch of posts and finding this community so helpful. I need advice on manufacturing a (mostly plastic) toy that I'm creating as a side gig. About me: I work in tech, have no prior experience manufacturing, but have been doing a lot of research eager to learn! In brief, I'm developing a new kind of toy (for both adults and kids) that is mostly plastic. I've validated the product and market through 3D printing, and want to manufacturer it. My go-to-market will be direct to consumer and maybe Amazon, and possibly some local t ..read more

Relatively new to manufacturing so I’m still trying to get a grasp on the rules and standards. I work in an automotive manufacturing plant (plastics) in quality- we are certified to IATF 16949/ISO 14001:2015. I’m in charge of staying on top of our calibration cycles, and I’m looking into doing our calibration of small tools internally- calipers and micrometers mostly, and outsourcing all of our other larger gages. My question is how can I do this and be in compliance? I’m having a hard time understanding what’s allowed, so: 1. Do we need a temperature controlled room for calibrating small too ..read more

I'd like to manufacture and sell a product with a small electronics board in it. As I understand it, I have to have this device tested and certified by a professional lab for compliance with FCC rules against being an unintentional radiator. My first interaction with such testing labs are disconcerting; either they don't respond to inquiries or require a very detailed, technical form be filled out for the bill-of-work. The one quote I received is >$3K which seems like an awful lot for a null test (yep, it doesn't radiate). I feel like I'm out of my depth dealing with these labs as a solopr ..read more

Looking for some 16oz PET bottles for my beverage company that aren’t boring and bland like most of the bottles on websites like Berlin packaging or US plastic corp. an example would be like the pure leaf tea bottles, or the smaller Simply lemonade bottles. I’m guessing these companies had them custom made and probably have patents on them? If we were to go the custom made route how much does something like that cost? Thanks submitted by /u/idavida [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

Pretty simple pieces, the geometry is simple enough to be machined by a person, no CNC needed. The pieces are around 50 mm tall with a 25 mm diameter, they're hollow cylinders with different features but mostly knurling or slots. Very few need threads. I need a transition fit but a clearence would do as well. Which tolerances should I use? (Bore - shaft assembly) I'll be using aluminum and brass for a very small run to begin with, around 10 different pieces but only one or two of each (for now, if I manage to sell well I'd order a lot more). I'd like to know what the usual price for that woul ..read more

What is the best service possible to put me in touch with businesses in Thailand ? Looking for a manufacturer or hockey equipment. submitted by /u/Gabadaddy [visit reddit] [comments ..read more