A prior art search can save you thousands before you file a patent. Learn what it involves, common mistakes inventors make, and how a licensed P.E. firm approaches it differently. PartSnap offers patent prior art searches starting at $200.
One of the most common — and most dangerous — misunderstandings in the patent world is confusing inventorship with ownership. They’re not the same thing. And getting this wrong can invalidate your entire patent. Inventorship vs. Ownership: The Basics An inventor is the person (or persons) who conceived of the invention. Under U.S. patent law, […]
Every week, inventors spend thousands of dollars filing patents for ideas that already exist. Not “sort of” exist. Not “vaguely similar.” Already patented — sometimes word for word, mechanism for mechanism. And they don’t find out until a patent examiner rejects their application 18 months later, after they’ve already paid $8,000-15,000 in attorney fees. This […]
You’ve been working on your invention for months — maybe years. You’ve sketched it out, maybe built a prototype, and you’re pretty sure nobody’s done this before. But when you Google “how to patent my invention,” the numbers hit hard: Patent attorney consultation: $300-600/hour Prior art search: $1,000-2,500 Provisional patent application: $3,000-5,000 Non-provisional patent: $8,000-15,000+ […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — If your parts go inside aircraft, trains, buses, or ships, they need to meet flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) requirements. Here’s what you need to know about 3D printing FST-compliant components. What Is FST Compliance? FST stands for Flame, Smoke, and Toxicity — a set of performance requirements for materials […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — ULTEM (polyetherimide/PEI) is the material you use when nothing else survives. Here’s a deep dive on what makes it special, where it excels, and when it’s worth the premium. What Is ULTEM? ULTEM is a family of high-performance thermoplastics made by SABIC (originally developed by GE Plastics). The two grades […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — University labs and research groups need custom parts that don’t exist in any catalog. We support academic research with fast, affordable prototyping and custom equipment fabrication. Academic Applications Research Equipment Custom fixtures for experiments, reaction vessels, flow cells, test specimen holders, sensor mounts, and optical bench components. Designed for your […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — You have a product idea. Maybe it’s a kitchen gadget, a pet accessory, a tool, or a consumer electronics device. Here’s the realistic path from idea to manufactured product — and where we fit in. The Real Product Development Path Phase 1: Concept (1-2 weeks) You describe what you want. […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — From presentation models that win contracts to custom building hardware that solves on-site problems, 3D printing serves architecture and construction in ways that weren’t possible five years ago. Architecture Applications Presentation and Competition Models Highly detailed architectural scale models for client presentations, design competitions, and municipal reviews. Multi-material printing allows […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — Robotics moves fast. Your design changes weekly, your budget is tight, and you need functional parts that survive real-world testing. Here’s how 3D printing and rapid manufacturing support robotics development. Robotics Applications End Effectors and Grippers Custom end-of-arm tooling designed for your specific workpiece. Vacuum cup manifolds, mechanical grippers, soft […]