Ready to transform an idea into a product? The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers' Engineering Development Services, located at the Bucknell University SBDC, can help you develop new products and bring them to the marketplace.

Starting Out

First, consultants at your local Small Business Development Center will guide you in assessing the market and financial feasibility of your product. Companies utilizing the Engineering Development Services (EDS) of the Pennsylvania SBDCs will be assisted in this process by receiving a technical assessment and preliminary patent search. Once initial feasibility has been established, and a preliminary business plan has been written, your company will receive engineering design, prototyping, and testing assistance as needed.

The Engineering Development Services of the SBDCs offers assistance in:

Preliminary patent searching
Engineering design and analysis
Prototype construction
Product testing

Your project will be guided by a product development engineer with support from engineering faculty, students, technicians, and outside consultants.

The Pennsylvania SBDC facilities dedicated to product development include:

A fully equipped machine shop
Computer aided drafting and machining equipment
A state-of-the-art laboratory
Rapid Prototype Technology

Getting To Market

When the development phase is complete, the SBDC staff can help you identify vendors to manufacture your product. Consultants at your local SBDC will then assist you with financing proposals, marketing, advertising and any other help you need to bring your product to market.

Some of the SBDC Engineering Development Service’s recent product development projects include:

Snowboard engineering analysis
Umbrella wind resistance analysis
Home security products
Construction tools
Testing of an innovative bicycle transmission
Performing preliminary testing on a manhole riser system
Using finite element analysis to monitor structural changes in custom machinery.

For more information on the SBDC's Engineering Development Services download the EDS Fact Sheet.

The SBDC reserves the right to refuse participation in the development of any product that could place any of its host institutions at risk. All projects are reviewed and approved by University counsel prior to inception. There is no charge for engineering development services; the client pays only for materials and supplies used in prototype or test fixture construction.