A: ProtoBear works with inventors, startups, and established companies—as well as artists, museums, construction teams, and organizations who need a reliable partner to design, prototype, manufacture, and deliver physical products or parts.
A: Three common ‘great fits’ are: (1) inventions headed toward patenting and production; (2) one-off art, museum, or construction/ornamental projects that require creative problem-solving; and (3) production runs where we can apply DFM and supply chain management to deliver consistent parts at scale.
A: We don’t repair 3D printers. We also avoid projects with insufficient budget for the scope, and we’re selective about working relationships—clear communication and respect are required.
A: Yes—when the project is a fit for our capabilities and timelines.
A: We don’t work on weapons of war. If you’re unsure whether your project qualifies, ask and we’ll tell you quickly.
A: Any stage. You can engage ProtoBear à la carte—ideation, CAD, prototyping, scanning/reverse engineering, packaging, or manufacturing-only if you already have production-ready files.
A: Yes. At a minimum we need a solid 3D model file, and we may request additional information (materials, finishes, tolerances, or drawings) depending on the process.
A: Often, yes—but we typically require a DFM review first. That protects you (and us) from preventable manufacturing issues and surprise costs.
A: A short scope meeting (typically ~15 minutes). The goal isn’t to solve everything—it’s to explore the design space, understand constraints, and determine fit. You’ll leave with a rough plan, scope direction, and the likely next step (usually a paid Design Meeting).
A: We design live with you (often via screen share) so you can guide decisions in real time. This is fast, collaborative, and keeps the design manufacturable as it evolves.
A: A common round is: design work → send out for prototyping → review results → decide next iteration. You pay for that round of development, then we move forward based on what we learned.
A: We prefer email for project communication so decisions, files, and scope changes stay organized and searchable.
A: It varies widely. Simple products may take a couple rounds. Complex products can take many prototypes. We’ll guide you toward the highest-leverage next iteration rather than endless tinkering.
A: Yes. The right gate depends on the product, but the goal is always the same: the design must be manufacturable and the expected outcome must be clear before committing to tooling or large production runs.
A: It depends on the product and how much can be resolved live in the Design Meeting. Many rounds can be completed in about a day of work. Design Meetings are commonly up to ~3 hours; if more time is needed, we schedule another meeting for the round.
A: Prototype lead time depends on process, material, and post-processing. A common range is a couple of weeks.
A: Tooling often takes about 4–6 weeks, depending on complexity and vendor capacity.
A: Production timing depends on the product and supply chain. A common range is 2–4 weeks after tooling/sample approval, but it varies.
A: Lead times depend on process, material, vendor capacity, and any required finishing or assembly.
A: Development work is billed by the minute and typically scoped round-by-round. Production is quoted as an all-in price (with shipping handled explicitly in the quote).
A: No. Rates and terms are provided in your engagement letter before paid work begins.
A: Sometimes. Deposits are handled case-by-case and are common for projects over $1,000. Your quote/engagement letter will specify the deposit (if any) before work begins.
A: Payment is required before you pick up parts or receive access to project files/deliverables for that round.
A: For mass production, payments typically follow a cadence tied to tooling, sampling, parts, and shipping. A common structure is:
• 50% tooling to start and produce samples
• 50% tooling + 50% parts to begin production
• 50% parts + 100% shipping to complete and deliver
Exact terms vary by project and will be stated in your quote.
A: For many non-production deliverables, shipping is typically included. For production orders, shipping and import costs (air/sea, tariffs, etc.) are handled explicitly based on what you need and will be stated in the quote.
A: Yes, when capacity allows. Rush work is billed at 2× labor because it interrupts existing schedules and requires priority handling.
A: We manage quality as the prime contractor. We typically establish an approved ‘golden sample’ and use that as the reference for production acceptance.
A: If parts don’t meet the agreed target, we work with you to make it right—typically through rework, replacement, discounts, or refunds as appropriate. We also won’t take on projects we don’t believe we can produce reliably.
A: ProtoBear does. Managing suppliers and quality is part of what you’re paying for.
A: The customer owns the tooling. Our manufacturing sources manage the tools as part of production.
A: Not necessarily. Tooling is built for a specific manufacturing setup. If you want tooling designed for portability, that must be specified up front.
A: Mold storage is free for the first 2 years. After that, storage/maintenance is $500 per year (per tool).
A: If changes are required due to updated requirements or scope changes, the customer covers that cost. If tooling needs adjustment because it’s producing bad parts within the agreed scope, ProtoBear covers the cost to correct it.
A: Yes. All balances must be paid before tooling is shipped. The customer pays shipping, crating/handling, and any related costs.
A: Yes. We have an in-house NDA for engagement, and clients can propose reasonable changes before sensitive information is shared.
A: You do. The client owns the invention and resulting IP unless a collaboration is explicitly agreed in writing up front.
A: Yes. After payment, you receive the project files and deliverables. We can also export specific formats needed for manufacturing or downstream use.
A: Yes. We support artists and institutions with scaling, molds, casting coordination, mounts/installation hardware, and material/process selection—especially when the project requires accurate scanning and manufacturable design decisions.
A: Yes. We can scan existing geometry (on-site or off-site), match fit and profile, and produce small-batch or production runs for renovations or new builds—across a wide range of materials.
A: Yes. If you want us to scan for you, we can capture the geometry and deliver meshes, CAD, or inspection outputs depending on your needs.
A: Yes. We sell Artec scanners and Geomagic software, and we help you choose a setup that fits your accuracy, throughput, and downstream workflow requirements.
A: Yes. We teach you how to solve your specific scanning problem—capture, cleanup, reverse engineering, and inspection workflows. Training can be done as one-off sessions or as hour packs.
A: Yes. You can purchase training/support hour packs for continued help as your team ramps up.
A: No—we’re not a repair shop. ProtoBear focuses on product development, prototyping, manufacturing, packaging, delivery, and 3D scanning workflows.
A: No. We can support technical documentation and coordination, but legal advice must come from a qualified attorney.
