Understand the behaviour
Use competitor comparison and mathematical modelling to inform the design.
The challengeMake a protected idea tangible
The starting point
An invention that drawings alone could not explain
The client had protected the concept, but needed a credible physical way to communicate it to investors and multinational organisations.
The product combined flexible behaviour with millimetre and sub-millimetre features. Going straight to detailed tooling would have increased cost before the important design questions were answered; a rough visual model would not have provided enough useful evidence.
Choose useful fidelity
Match each prototype process to the learning needed at that stage.
Protect the concept
Create presentable evidence without disclosing the details.
Our approachDefine · Prove · Build
Progressive prototyping
Increase detail when the learning justifies it
We treated each prototype as a decision-making tool. Lower-cost methods exposed issues early; more accurate processes followed after those lessons had been captured in the design.
Define
We compared the market, modelled the stretch behaviour and developed CAD options for the product geometry.
Prove
A 3:1 prototype used FDM parts and hand-cast silicone to test the core principle and reveal improvements.
Build
We revised the CAD and produced a 2:1 demonstrator using SLA parts, CNC-machined aluminium moulds and vacuum-assisted silicone casting.
The result
A tangible proposition for the next commercial step
Bristol Dental Innovations received a refined 2:1 physical demonstrator supported by design, feasibility and presentation material.
The package gave the client something clearer to show and discuss than patent drawings alone. The client reported that the tangible output supported funding for its next phase of growth.
- Competitor comparison
- Mathematical stretch model
- Developed CAD geometry
- 3:1 and 2:1 prototypes
- Manufacturing-feasibility information
- Product renders and pitch deck
Client testimonial
“Working with Twocan allowed us to transform an early patented concept into a credible, presentation-ready prototype. From day one, they invested the time to truly understand our vision and our target market. This deep understanding, combined with their technical expertise, resulted in exactly the tangible output we needed to successfully secure funding for our next phase of growth. They gave us a much stronger proposition to present to investors and partners. We highly recommend Twocan to any business looking to bring an early-stage product to life.”
Director, Bristol Dental Innovations
Your next sensible step
Build the evidence the idea needs
Send us the patent sketch, early CAD or current prototype. We’ll help identify the most useful next model, test or demonstrator without jumping straight to unnecessary fidelity.