Dip Molded Parts - Prototype Development
Kent Elastomer Products, Inc. (KEP) has produced dipped natural latex tubing since 1960. Over the past 50 years KEP has evolved into a full service dip molded part manufacturer, producing custom-engineered dipped molded OEM components for many of the world's leading medical device manufacturers. KEP offers years of combined technical experience to help bring your project from the drawing board to the market place.
This overview is a general outline of how the process moves from an idea to samples for evaluation. As we want to provide the quickest possible turn around time, we would like to stress that by moving too quickly or bypassing steps in the process could dramatically increase the time needed as we retool to provide what you need. The prototype process involves trials and errors as each shape will provide a different outcome for a finished part. KEP's experience will minimize the time and money spent to bring your project to fruition.
Confidentiality
KEP will protect the intellectual property rights of our customers and we consider correspondence of your ideas and KEP processes confidential between the two companies. We encourage our customers to supply nondisclosure agreements (NDA) and confidentiality agreements for signature. If you or your company does not have a NDA, upon request KEP can provide you with a standard NDA to enter into with KEP.
Stage 1 - Consultation & Design
Whether you have a vague idea, concept, or a hard design on paper, a consultation with our experienced sales team is needed. KEP will provide the needed knowledge of our materials and processes and translate that into a workable plan and starting point. Questions asked may include: 1) What does your part need to do? 2) What conditions and environment will it need to function in? 3) What are the limitations of its shape and size?
Stage 2 - Prototype Process
From the consultation, we will develop a drawing with dimensions of your part. From this, we can provide a drawing of the tool/mandrel needed to produce your part. This will be the form shape of your part with the needed extra length providing a place to affix the tool securely to KEP dipping equipment. Tools are generally made of stainless steel, aluminum, or polypropylene depending on size, shape, weight, and durability considerations.
Stage 3 - Pricing and Lead-times
Costs for prototypes are $500 plus all tooling charges. Tooling is a one-time fee and something we source from outside vendors. You can certainly provide your own tooling or use your vendors to avoid the tooling charges. Tooling costs are unique to every design, KEP will provide tooling costs for approval. Lead-times for tooling are typically 3 to 4 weeks and prototypes would be an additional 1 to 2 weeks. The number of prototypes/samples that KEP will provide for $500 will be dependent on the number of tools purchased and the complexity of the part.
*Payment or an open account with KEP must be established prior to any work being done.