As a small business in need of sheet metal fabrication, you may be in the need of fabrication that pre-made templates can't offer. For example, you may have a specific design that you need leading you to the need for a prototype. Before you move forward with having a fabrication company create and use a prototype for you, there are a few things you should know. Here are just three of the top considerations and what you should know about each one.

Patent Information

The big thing to consider, when you take your prototype and idea to a steel metal fabrication company is regarding patent information. You need to know who owns the rights to the prototype created and if you will be able to use that prototype in the future. Some companies may have contracts that specifically state they own the rights, design, and use of any prototypes that come their way. There may be others that say, if you buy the patent, you own it. The best way to check your status with the prototype is to ask specifically how the company handles them and what to do to use the prototype in the future.

Testing Phases and Usage

The key point of the prototype is that you don't know if it will work or what changes will need to be made in order for it to work properly. You may know this going into the process, but what you may not know is how the steel metal fabrication company handles the various phases of the process. For example, they may limit you to three or four design changes or attempts before charging you more for each additional testing phase. 

They may say that the prototype is theirs and they will notify you when they reach the final stages of the testing phase. Regardless of the process, you will need to be aware of how much it will cost you and how long it may take before the prototype is ready for use.

Project Completion

Though you may have already thought about the testing phases, usage rights, and prototype rights you may not have considered everything that may happen once the process or project is completed. For example, you may own the rights to the finished prototype while the company owns rights to the design of the original and following the project can make changes to the design for their own use. You may find that the company has some form of ownership over the end result of the steel metal fabrication or that they can advertise they worked on your design without notifying you. All of these should be covered in a contract, but may not be. This is why, if you use a prototype, you should check on all aspects of the process and find out what is in writing and what should be before the project starts and concludes.

These are just three of the main points to consider when you use a sheet metal fabrication company alongside a prototype template. If you have any questions, make sure to jot them down and ask them at the meeting or consultation with the company.