What inventions can you prototype?
A crank mechanism
Gears, rollers, ratchets: the AI calculates the clearances so it turns smoothly.
Help with an everyday task
Holding, opening, keeping in place: an object that makes an awkward task easy.
A fitting that adapts
Something that mounts on an existing object without damaging or drilling it.
A garden invention
A fix for an outdoor problem, in a material that copes with rain.
A school or contest project
Something that really works in front of a jury, not just a mock-up.
An existing object, improved
You know what's wrong with something you use: the AI designs a version that fixes it.
An idea that's still vague
You know the problem, not the solution: describe it and the AI suggests three principles.
How much does an invention prototype cost?
Designing an invention of 2–4 parts costs 1,900 credits, or 3,400 credits for 5–8 parts (Creator plan), plus 650 credits in Invent mode; the print is then paid in US dollars at the quoted price. A delivered order always includes a manufacturing minimum, delivery and the service (today, a delivered order starts at $23.90), and a mechanism with several parts and materials often costs more.
Design
In credits, once per generation; chat messages and edits are charged separately, while sliders, quotes and renders cost no credits.
| Size | Unique parts | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| M | 2–4 parts | 1,900 creditscovered by the 2,000 credits free at signup |
| L | 5–8 parts | 3,400 creditsCreator plan |
| Invent mode (three directions) | + 650 creditsCreator plan | |
Delivered order · from
The minimum delivered price of an order today, at the cheapest printer available: an order always includes a manufacturing minimum, delivery and the service.
Order limits
Up to 100 copies per online order, $2,278 incl. VAT at most; above that, a custom quote.
What brings the price down
- hollow it (2–3 mm shell + ribs, two Ø 3.5 mm powder escape holes)
- split it into smaller pieces
- switch to printed PETG (redo the safety calculation)
A mechanism costs more than a simple object: more parts, flexible TPU parts, shafts and hinges printed rather than bought, even if that takes more material. To check a principle, ask for an “Economy” version in printed PETG, then move to PA12 once the mechanism works.
How do you make a prototype of your invention?
- Describe the problem, not the solutionWhat the object must do, for whom, where, and what already exists that doesn't suit you. Add the fixed dimensions: the object to hold, the surface it mounts on, the maximum footprint.
- Pick one of three directionsInvent mode (Creator plan) suggests three working principles, with their strengths, their limits and the estimated number of parts. Keep one, or ask to combine two ideas.
- Let the AI design the partsEach part is designed in parametric CAD: clearances between moving parts, fixings, interference and printability checks. You get an exploded view and an assembly guide.
- Iterate with the sliders and the chatAdjust dimensions with the sliders at no credit cost; ask for a change of principle in the chat, which is paid in credits, less than a new generation.
- Order the first prototypeChoose the material and colour of each part, in the chat or the Materials tab. The firm price, VAT and delivery included, is shown before you pay; the rare part that can't be printed (electronics, a magnet, a heavily cycled metal spring) is listed separately, ready to use, with an Amazon link.
- Test, note, fixA first prototype often reveals a fit that's too tight or a lever that's too short. Describe what's wrong: the AI corrects the design, then you order the new version.
What the AI will ask you
- Describe the problem the invention solves and the person who'll use it.
- Give the fixed dimensions: the object to grip, the mounting surface, the maximum footprint.
- Pick a delivered print budget range for the prototype, or “No limit”.
- Say whether the prototype must really work (mechanism, force, outdoors) or only show the shape.
- Say whether the invention contains electronics, magnets or a heavily cycled spring: only those are bought, everything else is printed.
Can an AI design an invention from an idea?
Yes, if the idea boils down to a clear problem: objekto's Invent mode suggests three different working principles, then designs the parts of the one you choose. The AI designs simple mechanisms (levers, cams, slides, gears, ratchets, hinges); it doesn't replace an engineer's calculation for an object that must carry a load or guarantee safety.
For “opening a jar without effort”, three possible directions could be:
- Lever: a long-armed key that multiplies the force on the lid.
- Vice: a fixed base that holds the jar while you turn with both hands.
- Air inlet: a tip that lifts the edge of the lid to break the vacuum.
Once the direction is chosen, you work as in Design mode. If you already know what the object looks like, Design mode is enough, with no surcharge.
Should you file a patent before making a prototype?
Not before making it, but before showing it: making a prototype in private discloses nothing, whereas publishing, presenting or selling it before filing can destroy the invention's novelty, even if you're the one who discloses it (INPI, patentability criteria, in French). This is a general principle under French law, not legal advice.
- Projects are public by default on objekto: for an invention, turn off “Public project” before creating the project (one click), and nobody else sees it.
- Publishing a design to the gallery makes it public: that's a disclosure. Wait until you've taken advice.
- Before talking to a partner or a manufacturer, INPI recommends a confidentiality agreement.
- To sell copies later, see product manufacturing.
Which inventions have already been designed?
Designs published in the gallery, to order as they are or to remix.
See all designs →Which material should you choose for an invention prototype?
- PA12 (MJF): the default for a prototype that has to work. Precise and rigid, it holds the clearances between moving parts, clips and pivots.
- PA12 (SLS): close to MJF, with a larger maximum size; useful for a mechanism's frame or housing.
- TPU 95A: the flexible parts of an invention, such as a gripping roller, a stop, a seal or a grip.
- Printed PETG (FDM): the “Economy” option for a first proof of principle; the layers stay visible and fine fits are less precise.
| Material | Min. wall | Min. detail | Min. clearance | Max. size (mm) | Properties | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA12 white (SLS) | 0.7 mm | 0.2 mm | 0.5 mm | 650 × 550 × 350 | rigid · outdoor | $ |
| PA12 dyed black (SLS) | 0.7 mm | 0.2 mm | 0.5 mm | 320 × 230 × 180 | rigid · outdoor | $ |
| PA12 dyed colours (SLS) | 0.7 mm | 0.2 mm | 0.5 mm | 320 × 230 × 180 | rigid | $ |
| PA12 vapour smoothed (SLS) | 1.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.7 mm | 440 × 375 × 345 | rigid · outdoor | $$ |
| PA12 natural grey (MJF) | 0.5 mm | 0.2 mm | 0.6 mm | 380 × 380 × 284 | rigid · outdoor | $ |
| PA12 matte black (MJF) | 0.5 mm | 0.2 mm | 0.6 mm | 360 × 210 × 210 | rigid · outdoor | $ |
| PA12 black vapour smoothed (MJF) | 1.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.7 mm | 360 × 210 × 210 | rigid · outdoor | $$ |
| Flexible TPU 95A (FDM)rules to be confirmed | 1.6 mm | 1 mm | 0.8 mm | 250 × 250 × 250 | flexible · outdoor | $ |
| PETG (FDM) | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 300 × 300 × 300 | rigid · outdoor | $ |
Compare the materials: PA12 vs resin vs TPU.
What won't objekto do for an invention?
- No more than 12 unique parts per object, and each part must fit the material's maximum size: beyond that, split the invention into sub-assemblies.
- No printed electronics, magnets, blades or heavily cycled metal springs: they're the only bought exceptions, ready to use and listed with an Amazon link; shafts, hinges and light springs are printed.
- No certified prototypes: no guaranteed load rating, no medical device, no food contact, no toy.
- No weapons or weapon parts, however the project is presented.
- No legal advice, prior-art search or patent filing on your behalf.
- No mass production: an online order stops at 100 copies and $2,278 incl. VAT; above that, a custom quote.
The full list is in the content policy.
Start from a 3D file
Started your invention in CAD software (STEP, STL, 3MF or OBJ)? Import the file: the AI picks it up to add a mechanism, adjust dimensions or split the parts before printing. Only for your own models, or models whose licence allows it.
objekto, a design consultancy or a makerspace: which is right for a prototype?
For a first prototype, the real question is: who designs it, and how fast can you test your idea?
| objekto | Design consultancy | Makerspace or fab lab | Online print service | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point | The problem, described in a few sentences | A specification | Your own file, or a CAD course | Your 3D file |
| Who designs | The AI, with three directions first | An engineer or a designer | You, with help from the space | You |
| Mechanisms | Simple ones: levers, cams, gears, ratchets | All, with calculations | Depends on your skills | Whatever you modelled |
| Manufacturing | Printed by partner workshops and delivered | Depends on the provider | On site, on the space's machines | Printed and delivered |
| Best for | Testing an idea fast, without CAD | A complex invention or one to certify | Learning and making it yourself | Making a file that's already done |
A qualitative comparison, without other services' prices. Compared with a text-to-CAD tool: objekto vs AdamCAD.
Sources
- INPI — critères de brevetabilité (nouveauté, divulgation, confidentialité)
- Légifrance — Code de la propriété intellectuelle, articles L613-1 à L613-7 (dont L613-5)
Public information read on 5 November 2026; it may have changed since.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a prototype of my invention?
Describe to objekto the problem your invention solves, its fixed dimensions and what it must do. Invent mode suggests three directions; the AI then designs the parts in parametric CAD, checks that they fit together and can be printed, and you order the prototype, delivered in France in 1 to 3 weeks (estimate). No software to learn and no engineer to hire for a first test.
Can an AI design an invention that actually works?
Yes for simple mechanisms: levers, cams, slides, gears, ratchets and hinges, with the clearances between parts calculated and interference checked. The first prototype is there to test the principle; plan for one or two iterations. For an object that carries a load or affects safety, an engineer's calculation is still needed.
Should I file a patent before making a prototype?
Making a prototype in private doesn't disclose the invention; showing, publishing or selling it before filing can destroy its novelty, even when you're the one disclosing it, according to the French patent office (INPI). On objekto, projects are public by default: make yours private from the start (the “Public project” switch) and don't publish it before taking advice. objekto doesn't give legal advice.
How much does an invention prototype cost?
Design costs 1,900 credits for 2–4 parts or 3,400 credits for 5–8 parts, plus 650 credits in Invent mode. The print is paid in US dollars at the quoted price, VAT and delivery included, and always includes a manufacturing minimum: a mechanism with several parts and materials costs more than a simple object. Plan details are on the pricing page.
What if my invention needs springs or magnets?
Light springs are printed, in TPU or as a flexible leaf, like shafts, hinges and threads. Only magnets, electronics, a blade or a heavily cycled metal spring are bought: chosen ready to use, with no rework, and listed in the guide with an Amazon link; the printed parts are designed around them, with their recesses. objekto doesn't design electronic circuits or software.
Can I enter an objekto prototype in an invention contest?
Yes: the prototype is yours and you can show it wherever you like. Check the contest rules first and, if you're aiming for a patent, file it before presenting the invention in public, because a presentation is a disclosure. The exploded view and the assembly guide help you explain how it works to the jury.
How long does it take to receive a prototype?
Design takes from a few minutes to a few tens of minutes depending on the number of parts; manufacturing and delivery in France take 1 to 3 weeks (estimate), depending on the material. Each iteration adds another manufacturing lead time: group your fixes before reordering. Lead times are covered in the FAQ.
Updated 5 November 2026