From validated concept to market-ready prototype — Export Commodity runs end-to-end product development for startups, inventors, and hardware companies in Houston and beyond. NDA-protected. Iteration-driven. Built to ship.
Start Your Project Our TechnologiesMost product development shops hand you off between a design firm, a prototyping house, and a manufacturer. Export Commodity does all of it. Our in-house team covers industrial design, mechanical engineering, CAD modeling, rapid prototyping across multiple technologies, and small-batch production — all under one roof, all under one NDA.
We've helped first-time inventors validate product ideas in weeks rather than months, helped hardware startups build investor-ready prototypes on seed-round budgets, and helped established consumer brands launch product extensions without the overhead of an internal development team. The common thread is speed: we compress timelines by doing DFM, design, and prototyping simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Our product development service is fully NDA-protected from day one. We will not discuss, share, or reference your project with any other party. All CAD files, design documents, and correspondence remain your property throughout the engagement.
We follow a structured five-phase process that balances thoroughness with speed. Each phase has defined deliverables and a client review checkpoint before proceeding.
We start with a structured discovery session covering product function, target user, market context, manufacturing constraints, and budget. This session produces a project brief that defines scope, deliverables, milestones, and pricing. No discovery fees — this phase is included in every project engagement.
Our engineers translate the product brief into parametric CAD geometry. We model for function first, then aesthetics, then manufacturability. Every design decision is documented so you understand the trade-offs. You receive renders and a design rationale document before any physical prototyping begins.
We print your first physical prototype — typically within 24–48 hours of CAD approval. The goal of the first prototype is to validate the concept and identify issues that only become apparent with a physical object in hand. We often produce multiple material variations of the same prototype to compare feel, strength, and finish.
We treat each prototype round as a data-collection exercise. You test the physical prototype, document issues, and send us feedback. Our CAD team implements changes and re-prints typically within 24 hours. Most projects require 2–4 iteration rounds before reaching a production-ready design. We never charge for iteration rounds that result from our own design errors.
Once the design is locked, we transition into production mode. For short runs (under 500 units), we handle everything in-house. For larger quantities or injection-molded transitions, we prepare a manufacturing package — production CAD files, toleranced drawings, BOM, and supplier specifications — so your chosen manufacturer can quote and produce accurately.
Pre-seed through Series A hardware companies use our development service to build investor-demo prototypes, pre-production samples, and Kickstarter fulfillment runs without the overhead of an internal engineering team.
Housewares, sporting goods, personal care devices, and lifestyle products. We understand ergonomics, aesthetics, and consumer-grade durability requirements. Our FDM and SLA capabilities handle everything from kitchen gadgets to outdoor gear.
Surgical training models, anatomical aids, device enclosures, and ergonomic handles. We work from engineering specifications and understand biocompatibility material requirements for non-implantable prototype applications.
Replacement components, tooling fixtures, jigs, and custom enclosures for industrial machinery. Our engineering team understands load-bearing geometry, mechanical fastening, and environmental resistance requirements.
Custom brackets, interior components, aero pieces, and one-off performance parts. We print in ASA for UV and heat resistance and can produce in carbon-fiber-filled nylon for high-stress applications.
Non-flight prototype parts, mockup assemblies, training aids, and ruggedized enclosures. We maintain discretion on all defense-related projects and can execute under ITAR-aware workflows on request.
We design for the manufacturing process from line one of the CAD file. This means your prototypes behave like production parts — not lab curiosities that can't survive the transition to real manufacturing.
No outsourcing, no wait queues at third-party labs. When your CAD file is approved, it goes directly to our printers. Same-day and next-day prototypes are real options, not upsells.
Every project starts with a fixed-price scope for the design phase. Prototyping is priced per build. You always know your costs before we start — no surprise invoices.
We never share client designs. NDA, file encryption, and internal access controls protect your intellectual property. You retain full ownership of every file we create for you.
Design and engineering fees depend on complexity — a simple single-part product might start at $300–$500 for CAD modeling, while a multi-component assembly with multiple revision rounds may run $1,500–$5,000+. We quote every project individually and provide a fixed-price scope before starting. Prototyping costs are separate and depend on size, material, and technology used.
We can produce the technical drawings used to support patent applications. We recommend working with a registered patent attorney for the legal components, but our engineering drawings — multi-view, dimensioned, with part callouts — are formatted to meet USPTO figure requirements.
Yes. We regularly prepare injection molding transition packages — production CAD, toleranced drawings, draft angle analysis, wall thickness review, and gate location recommendations. We can also introduce you to our network of qualified injection molding manufacturers for competitive quoting.
Most consumer products require 2–4 physical iteration rounds from first prototype to production-ready. Simple single-part designs may nail it in 1–2 rounds. Complex multi-part assemblies with moving components typically need 3–5. We'll give you a realistic estimate based on your specific project during discovery.
Absolutely. If you already have CAD files, we'll review them, run a DFM audit, and either use them as-is or suggest improvements before prototyping. You're not required to purchase our design services if your files are print-ready.
Send us your concept — sketch, reference image, or description. We'll review it and send a scoped quote within one business day. NDA available before we see anything.
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