I'm looking at getting some plastic/nylon "things" made that will be used to attach 2 other things together.
Depending how it goes I'll probably need about 4-5 different designs. They can probably all be a 1 piece construction and will be something like a lump of plastic/nylon the size of a smokes packet/mobile phone with a few holes, grooves, and/or slots. Relatively simple - no moving parts or anything like that.
Initially would be looking for about 100 of each design but quite possibly will need more (all going to plan).
Does anyone know where to start with a project like this? Stuff like what to consider in the design, material selection (will need to be non-conductive, pretty UV stable, and strong - other than that no real requirements), who can make them and how much they might be, minimum quantities to make something like this worthwhile etc?
Thanks.
For material selection, maybe grab a good text book and compare the properties of different polymers. ("Engineering Materials, properties & selection" K. Budinski)
If required shape can be machined (rather than molded), look up engineering workshops that have CNC milling machines. If you can give them a sketch, they will be able to quote set up times/price per unit. Obviously, a small quantity will be higher $ per unit.
Hope this helps & good luck 
Sure does helps, thanks for that Skid.
Am I right in thinking that machining would be cheaper initially because I wouldn't have to pay to have a mould (tool?) made, but that the unit cost for moulding would be cheaper in the long run after a certain number are done?
Based on my admittedly limited, vague and cagey details, I don't suppose anyone is able to have an educated guess at a unit cost for making these things do they?
Have a look at 3D printers, about $1500 I believe for entry level. But you could run off as many protos as you wanted then, and if you're really serious then it's not that much to spend.
Dirtyharry
Getting it machined may be pretty damned expensive unless doing heaps of units.
Making your own mould and making them yourself may be the go - depends pn shape / complexity
I currently mould a fairly complex item, send me a P.M if you want to discuss / know who to ask
If you need some help, I may be able to give you some confidential assistance on some 3D modelling for output to a 3D printer.
If you go for making a mold and casting the production yourself, making the master model with a 3D printer could be a good way to go.
Here's a recent model I had made as part of a project I was involved in; the black part is the original piece which I manually measured up, orange one is the replicated 3D printed part, with a slight enhancement I added (second pic).
Hey Oceanfire
Did you 3D scan the original part or CMM it?
what material?
looks sweet.
Are you based in china?
Gotta love modern technology
I'm a toolmaker by trade and specialised in plastic injection moulds until 1984. mostly done with the old insert and dowel method before EDM machines appeared.
Things have come bloody long way since then.
Thanks for all the replies guys. Have sent a couple of PM's.
Although, I was a bit deflated to see Oceanfire's red thing. That was my idea - and now it seems the bloody thing already exists (whatever it is). Back to the drawing board I s'pose 
contact some plastic molders in the yellow pages.
a few years ago we were investigating plastic wheels, and 1 company that I contacted in WA was very helpful but he would only do runs of 100wheels( a pallet) but then he explained that in those quantities they would cost $2.20 each instead of$10!.
sorry I cant remember the name but they made alot of the kind of doodaa you have been describing.
I will hunt up one of the wheels and get back
