Combination Sliding Compound Miter Saw / Table Saw. It has all the
features of both types of saws plus some. Forty hours of
conceptualizing brought very realistic definition to the size and
complexity of the product idea. A series of product development
efforts would rapidly bring functional and safety features to this
proposal. This product proposal was designed for CNC parts until
market quantities could be established.
This hobbyist reciprocating chisel could be designed to fit almost
any rotary tool. The present computer model is only conceptual  but
represents needed parts. Product development time is decreased
with realistic conceptual design. This accessory would fit the
prospective parent product without modifying parts.
Ready for manufacturing, this design of a reciprocating only sander
designed as an useful and practical accessory for a reciprocating /
rotating spindle sander. Conceptualizing often deters false start ups
of product development programs. The concept required 0 changes
to the prospective parent product.
If the beverage industry wanted to make pop top cans easier to open,
this is one way to do it. Only a conceptual study, its impact on
manufacturing must be determined before product development can
commence. Converting existing tooling played a part in conceptualizing.
This conceptual study of a tube of paste attached to a brush is
designed to deliver tooth paste directly to the bristles. After meetings
with engineering, manufacturing and marketing, approximately forty
conceptualizing hours brought solid definition to all the pieces,
eliminating man product development hours.
A quick study of an eraser/sharpener novelty product. If thorough
enough, a quick study will identify pieces definitive enough for
estimating. Even in this digital age, lots of people would still want one of
these. Product development is minimal with low tech projects like this.
This quick study of a credit card size magnifier offers enough
information to decide on a product development study or not.
Adhering to proven technology allows accurate costing.
For those still using hammers, this nail set proposal would prevent
slippage off almost any size finish nail. Screw machines were
chosen as the method of manufacturing before the product
development process took place.
This utility knife proposal offers simple blade disposal and
reloading features. The blade handling mechanism was perfected
before the concept was considered, a must before turning on the
product development machine. This concept was designed
around existing popular utility knife blades.
The product development process of the ChestMate Jig was
extremely fast because of the conceptualizing that took place long
before the engineering data bases were started
Accessories were added after launch without changing the tools.
When drill bits only have to be dressed, and not ground, the
DrillGadget does it nicely. Because of a progression of prototypes, the
product development cost of this new invention was greatly reduced.
Also, tooling corrections were zero.
Implementing an improvement that allowed the sharpening of a second
kind of drill tip was accomplished without changing the tooling.
No more than a sketch is needed to convey a concept to a client.
Product development should only  follow after need and cost have
been estimated. This idea could make an age old problem less
difficult. A simple enough change for existing tooling.
This hollow wall anchor is designed to slip if what it is holding is jolted.
The nose piece allows it to be used as a non-slip anchor. These piece
parts have been designed for screw machines, injecting molding and
progressive dies, determined long before product development
activities start. Concern about defining the intent stopped the activity.
This snap on safety shroud started out as three pieces and not easily
adaptable to standard plugs. The short conceptualizing process led
to one piece and minimized the product development time.
The industrial design challenge for this hybrid camera was to allow
the operator not to have to change the holding of it when changing
from the closed digital mode to the open standard film mode. Product
development should never start until realistic industrial design is
completed.  Modular components being used in other new products
drove this design.           
This digital printer for instant film required precision scan
mechanisms and continuous focusing optics all in a high density
package. Predesign conceptualizing kept new product development
costs to a minimum and was a big factor in its fast time market
Research on the fly worked here to get it to the market quickly.
A professional camera utilizing internal components from another
camera minimized new product development costs. The rugged
structures survived being run over by a small pick-up truck. Within
existing products lie new products.                  
Another novelty product. Snap together folding glasses that also
serve as a magnifier when folded. Accurate sketches can suffice for
estimating preserving computer dollars until the project is a go.
A conceptual design has everyone's input.
New products lie undiscovered within existing ones.
Good ideas have to be abandoned to find better ones.
The best way to improve an idea is to share it with others.
A good idea must be needed first and problem solving second.
Negative people can't invent.
Three percent of patented ideas make the market.
Ideas and inventions come from association.
Everything can be improved.
All thoughts and ideas need definition.
Value added isn't real if it upsets manufacturing.
Versatility needed, very useful accessories were designed for the
ChestMate two years after its introduction without changing tooling,  
increasing sales of the dovetail jig dramatically. Product development
never starts until  marketing numbers are confirmed.
A dedicated box joint jig may or may not become
a product. More prospective customer data is
needed before product development and
investing in tooling. Utilizing existing technology is
driving this concept.
Note: The primary purpose of the above is to demonstrate the different levels of definition that can be applied to an
idea. None of the concepts are displayed for sale. To the best of our knowledge, all the concepts are original. If it is
found that any ideas conflict with any products on the market today, or any patents still in effect, the concepts will be
expediently  removed from the site.  Thank you. L.Douglas, LLC
There may be many ways to dispense an exact amount of a medium
viscous fluid repeatably, but one customer wanted to look a ways of
doing it with a hand held syringe. A simple conceptual sketch like
this shared for review and discussion should always precede full
blown medical product development efforts.
The manufacturer of this circular saw accessory had one design for
right hand saws and another for left hand worm drive saws. This
conceptual study suggested symmetry around one design, allowing it
to be turned 180 degrees for either use. The conceptual design led to
a successful product desgin/manufacturing launch. This product is
established and keeping the ID was paramount.
After market table saw miter gauges is where cutting accuracy if found.
The Protractor Miter Gauge offers precise mechanical indexing.  The
location of it's pivot is unique as well. The precision CNC machining
offers led to rational justification of added manufacturing cost during
the product design process.
Many changes have been made with the progression of prototypes.
.
Visit www.drillgadget.com for a definitive
presentation of the very accurate and easy
to use manual drill bit sharpener.
Visit www.chestmatedovetailjig.com for a
definitive presentation of the very versatile
dovetailing and box joint jig.
Conceptual Product Design
L.Douglas, LLC
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Product Problem Solving
Conceptualized Products/Proposals, Some With After Startup Corrective Actions.
Miniature devices, such as end effectors of robotic/medical noninvasive
applications definitely should be designed and developed with a
manufacturing process already established. The devices are most
likely low volume niche markets where the price can support individual
CNC machining of the piece parts.
Noninvasive surgery has put demands for new micro-concepts to
meet the many different procedures. Defining a winning suturing
device may take dozens of concept proposals, all of them remaining
in the concept sketch stage until the practical feasibility is determined
by the medical professional that will use them.
New conceptual input for a trocar aiming tip was desired before the
customer wanted to proceed with their concept into production. The
charge was to come up with concepts different from what they had, a
good move to make sure theirs was the way.
Concepts, especially micro mechanisms used in the medical
profession for noninvasive surgery, should be broken down into
different areas of study such as dynamic, fatigue and hysterysis
even before the concept design starts enabling a more realistic
solid body model.