hours estimate

Hi,

How many hours would you estimate to model and render in a concept form
only (no internal details) something like an information kiosk?

Just curious....

 

Yep, that's the type, I've been quoting and doing quite a bit of this
type of stuff lately, where the concept model turns into a fabrication
(actual) model with fab drawings etc. I usually quote about 4 hours
for a concept model / rendering stage but was curious what others
thought.

thks

 

When I quote work like that, there are a few factors that I try to
figure in:

- Level of detail. When I have to add all the rounds to a plastic part
and put in the parting line and all draft, that can easily double the
total project time. Usually I hold off on this until I'm sure things
aren't going to change unless there is some problem where the
manufacturing method is going to affect the design of the part.

- Level of complexity. If this is a square-cornered box that can be
made from extrudes, quote X. If this is a curvy shape, quote 3-4X.
Sometimes the people managing the process don't understand things. "All
I want is to put a slight bulge a couple sides, and you're telling me
you're going to have to redesign the whole thing?!?". That's when I
hand him the mouse and tell him that if he already knows how to do it,
there is no reason to pay me ;o)

- Are you quoting a first phase or final phase project. Initial phases
usually take less time because there are fewer contradictory
constraints. Toward the end of the project when you have learned where
all the potholes are, the going is much slower because of the level of
detail and all the things you have to work around.

- How complete/well defined is the project? The one thing that adds
most to projects is when you have to go back and forth. If the design
is well conceived, there is less of that.

- Is the project being managed by a committee? Committees are the worst
thing that can happen to a design. There should be one point of vision.
Something designed by committee will change more often and have more bad
compromises. Input from individuals is necessary, but there should be
one person with final say. Product design is not a democratic process.

- Is the project being managed by someone who understands design and
manufacturing? Sometimes marketing and management people get involved
in managing the design process, which is usually a mistake. The final
say should come from someone who understands technical limits, money and
schedules.

If you're looking for a "looks like" model and it's not too complex, I
would quote 8 hours to give an outside shape type of model. If it's
really simple, it would take 90 minutes, but you can't quote something
like that.

Matt

 

Hi Zander,

I'd agree with Phil, assuming they are not a regular client. If they
are regular then I'd agree with Paul.

On another note (this maybe completely irrelevant), I occasionally
contract to a company here in New Zealand that makes a variety of touch
screens. Some of these screens end up in kiosks or digital signage.
Others end up on shop front windows, no holes are drilled through the
glass (it's all done with smoke and mirrors).

They are easily scalable and will make custom sizes. Note they
specialise in large screens 30" and over.

You can find them on the WEB at www.nextwindow.com If you want more
information regarding the various types contact me directly and I'll
recommend a solution.


Regards

John Layne
Solid Engineering Ltd

 

Hi,

In this case, they are a new customer, and the reason I asked the
question is my existing customer base requires no quotes or estimates,
when they need something done they call me, I do the work, track my
time and then bill them. It's very straight forward.

With this new customer they have asked for estimates, and yes these
initial renderings will turn into full blown design/fabrication
drawings so I have to keep that all in mind. It's interesting seeing
how people approach this question though. And it's nice to know I'm
not totally out of the ballpark!

Zander