How to Make Your Invention Prototype

InstaMorph used to
create a custom wing-nut

Have you found a new and unique way to solve a problem? Don't underestimate the value of your idea. Many incidental inventors have made big money from their ideas. But one of the first things you might want to do is protect your idea by getting a patent. Technically a prototype is not required to file for a patent, but a prototype can help you eliminate any design flaws and prove that your idea actually works. Making a prototype can help you make your patent drawings and write your patent application.

To make a prototype, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars at a prototying company. Your prototype doesn't need to be perfectly molded and machined, a rough, simple model can suffice. InstaMorph is an advanced modeling compound that melts in hot water or air and solidifies at room temperature.

When warm, it acts like clay, but when it cools it resembles a strong plastic. Unlike other products that once they dry they are locked in that shape forever, InstaMorph can be reheated over and over again and re-molded into any number of configurations.

When It's heated to molding temperature, the pellets turn clear. Once the plastic cools, it returns to its original white color. It can be painted, machined, carved or attached to other materials. It can also be dyed or impregnated with glow in the dark powder for other exciting project possibilities. Mold it with your hands, tools, or press around an object to make a mold. It is ideal for prototypers or makers who want a strong, reusable compound.

R. R. Girard of Panama says,"
• I used a tiny pot that holds maybe a cup of water.
• I placed a strainer into the pot (after cutting off the handle and "ears" and pushing the bottom up to flatten it).
• I put two teaspoons of white pellets (they look like plastic BBs) in the strainer.
• I used medium heat and watched it until the pellets turned clear, then removed the strainer.
• I dumped the molten plastic out onto a cutting board. It now looks like a clear blob.

"At this point, it has already cooled enough to mold with your hands. It is somewhere between soft and medium-hard, and difficult to tear with your hands. So you need to cut whatever section you need if you melted too much.

"I needed to repair a knob that had broken off of my coffee grinder. I used a small paring knife to cut a section of molten plastic off, then pushed that into the knob (after preparing the inside of the knob), then pushed the knob onto the shaft real hard while the plastic was still soft. The plastic formed around the shaft and made a good fit. It dries clear, so it looks just like clear plastic or common household silicon glue.

"I then placed the unused portion of molten plastic back into the canister.

"I am really happy with this. There are numerous uses that I can't even think of yet. But I know I will be able to use for lots of things."

Another InstaMorph user says,"I'm the sort of guy who likes to make prototypes and what not, but I blow through money on supplies rather quickly because I am bad at measurements. This stuff is amazing, It's about as strong as nylon or pvc (when trying to drill through it) but it is reusable. If you end up butchering it, you can heat up and start again. It's a great product for amatuer inventors."

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