Manufacturing a DCC product

[ndbprr]

Anybody have any experience with developing and bringing a new DCC product to market? Any idea of who could build a prototype unit for cloning and approximate cost? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

There are many steps. The short answer is: find a good business attorney, check with an IP law firm as well, find a good accountant, and a good source of capital. Do your homework and understand fully your market, manufacturing costs etc, and pricing. It can be done and can be very rewarding.
There are a great deal of small businesses supporting this hobby that started the same way: a perceived need and an idea. Seek them and their advice out. We did it recently as well (not a dcc product). It has been fun and we advertise monthly in MR and have enjoyed the ride. Good luck.

[ndbprr]

I am more concerned at this time about finding someone who could develop the elctronics portion of the product so I can conduct some feasability and practicality testing. I know several industrial prototype companies but I don't think we are in the same range of numbers for doing this.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

I am more concerned at this time about finding someone who could develop the elctronics portion of the product so I can conduct some feasability and practicality testing. I know several industrial prototype companies but I don't think we are in the same range of numbers for doing this.

As a business man myself I have to ask what are you bringing to the table? I may be able to design the system, but why do I need you? Do you have the funds to fund the R and D and prototype development? FRED

[ndbprr]

Yes I do and obviously I am not going to describe it here. I have an idea that is entirely doable and would take DCC as it functions today to a highre level.

[Anonymous]

Fred's comments is well taken and is very salient as one attempts to develop any new product. Ideas are not protectable so care needs to be taken in the initial stages of the design, prototype, development and marketing of your product (confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-circumvention agreements).
First to market can work, but beware the competition (knock offs). This is a free market economy and market forces, such as better capitalized competition, can be fierce . Patents and other intellectual property protections may be available for your designs, processes, etc. But there is a cost.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

If you have the money and an idea then you need to incorperate and hire a electronics engineer with a non-disclouser agreement and not be trolling for free talent on a forum. Good engineers can be had from any university that trains them. You don't need a super engineer as DCC isn't really high tech. state of art stuff. If your idea is revolutionary a patent would also be in order. The patent search should come first to assure you are the first to come up with the idea. Otherwise you are liable to someone else who has a patent if you just build it without a licences. FRED

[Anonymous]

I am retired and do some consulting for computer manufacturers. I might be interested depending on how much time it might take. The other points raised in the replies are valid. You might consider having a patent search done first. More that once I thought I had a great idea only to find out that a patent had been already granted for it.

Ken

[Anonymous]

Read Stan Ames book "Digital Command Control" to understand all the testing that would be required to get conformance standards, etc. - very very involved.

[Anonymous]

I am interested in designing for you, please contact me.

[e-mail]

Runfastcc

[Anonymous]

Would it be feasible to produce a sound decoder that could use sounds that I record?

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by drupp68

Would it be feasible to produce a sound decoder that could use sounds that I record?

Already exists; Lok Sound or something similar, mainly in Europe, but expanding.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

Any idea of who could build a prototype unit for cloning and approximate cost?

Lots of people, figure $100- an hour, plus materials, or a lower hourly rate with some %, and probably 1000 hours before you have anything ready for submission to NMRA.

Most people in small business have the idea and the technology to design and produce at least prototypes, which brings the investment to time and materials. $1,000 worth electronic parts will go a long way.