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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Product Design and Development

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Turning a new product idea into reality isn’t easy. The MEP National Network connects you with resources you need to take ideas successfully to manufacturing and distribution. Our experts can help you validate markets and develop, prototype and launch new products. We work with you to develop testing to determine how products satisfy prospective customer pain points and improve existing market solutions. We can assist with developing prototypes, selecting the right materials and durability testing.

The MEP National Network can connect you with the world class technical expertise in the NIST laboratories through our MATTR service. NIST’s mission to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness focuses on research in engineering, material measurement, physical measurement, nanotechnology, communications technology and information technology. NIST experts can help you work through technical challenges to get your product to market.

TechHelp was willing to work with me at my own pace on little pieces of the product at a time. It was great working with the entire [New Product Development Lab] team including the students and management. The whole process was awesome.  

—Chris Rodgers, Owner, Rapid Rope
Read the Success Story

Heroes of American Manufacturing: Rekluse
Heroes of American Manufacturing: Rekluse
This is the story of how an idea turned into a product that changed the motorcycle industry, launched a company in Idaho, and positioned a mechanical engineer intern to become the President and CEO. With the assistance of TechHelp, the MEP Center in Idaho, Rekluse founder Al Youngwerth was able to turn an idea into a prototype and then take it to production. This partnership developed a next generation manufacturer that brings good jobs and makes an impact.

 

Blogs

 

Manufacturing Reports

technology background with blue wheel and spokes concept

Concept to Commercialization – The Best Universities for Technology Transfer

Author
Ross DeVol, Joe Lee, Minoli Ratnatunga

Innovative activities – and their commercial applications – are driving long-term economic growth in America. While industry energizes innovation through research and development (R&D) initiatives, the main catalyst that fuels knowledge-based growth once again lies where it started: the American research university.

Innovation, R&D and IP
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For more information or assistance with product design and development, please contact your local MEP Center.

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Manufacturing and Product data

Contacts

For General Information

  • MEP Headquarters
    (301) 975-5020
    100 Bureau Drive, M/S 4800
    Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800
Created June 2, 2020, Updated May 21, 2021