Prototype Design Process

Prototype design plays a vital role in the development of commercial electronic products.

Design is a flexible and multi-phase process that involves brainstorming and planning prior to the physical creation of a prototype. Prototype design is a cost-effective way to confirm and refine your creative ideas early in the development process.

Prototype design is useful for all new products, from circuit boards to cases and 3D fabrication. We offer design services at all stages of the development cycle to ensure correct manufacture and minimize associated production costs. We specialize in PCB design prototypes and additive fabrication models for plastic enclosures and electronic products.

Prototype

Prototype design is about listing and understanding product requirements in order to transform creative ideas into working solutions. We create models at different levels of abstraction so you can test your ideas, improve your designs, and showcase your products to the world. From paper to software to physical form, our design process helps you to discover potential problems quickly and present your ideas to clients and stakeholders.

FAQs

When am I ready to have a prototype designed?

You are ready for a prototype whenever you have a solid idea that needs to be actualized to continue the development cycle. A prototype transforms an idea into a working product, with the size and complexity of each project, defining overall time frames and operational goals. Developing a prototype can be highly useful whenever you need to test new ideas, refine existing designs, or showcase future products to clients and stakeholders.

How can I prepare for the prototype design process?

Before you create a prototype, it’s crucial to have a vision of the final product, including its intended size, purpose, and functionality. A CAD model is typically required before prototyping, with the design phase helping to initiate and define this model in paper and software form. The initial design and CAD data form the backbone of the prototyping process, with this data also used during the final manufacturing process.

What does the prototype design process look like?

Designing a prototype is integral for all aspects of product development. Before you create a working product, you need a physical prototype, and before that, you need an accurate software model based on diagrams and specific requirements. CAD software is typically used to refine design specifications, check individual parts, and integrate components based on the overall design.

  1. Brainstorming and requirements
  2. Sketches and diagrams
  3. CAD and basic physical models
  4. Prototype creation 
  5. Testing and refinement
How long is the normal prototype design process?

The prototyping process differs widely, depending on the size and complexity of the project. We transform abstract creative ideas into physical models, from initial brainstorming sessions and requirements modeling to the creation of 3D models and rapid prototypes. At MicroType Engineering, we offer a fast development process with open communication and efficient customization to ensure the best results. With low complexity projects, we can have a working prototype in your hands within weeks.

How do I know what kind of prototype I need?

Getting a product ready for investment or market can seem like a daunting process. Before you create a prototype, it’s essential to work out precisely what you need from the process. We specialize in electronic products and circuit board design and develop functional prototypes for testing, marketing, and production. If you’re not sure exactly what you need, speaking with our team is the best way to get started.

The MicroType Engineering Advantage

MicroType Engineering offers a full design and development solution for your circuit board and fabrication needs. Circuit prototyping is an important part of this process, with our assembly capabilities covering both THT and SMT assembly.

Prototyping allows you to test your ideas, change your designs, and showcase your product without the significant costs associated with full-scale manufacture.

Rather than getting involved with guesswork or wasting money testing designs yourself, you can get predictable functionality and cost projections with a prototype from MicroType Engineering. Our approach is transparent and easy to manage. Because we control everything from design to assembly, we can deliver faster results and provide a cheaper end-to-end solution.

Do you want to realize your vision and get your product to market without compromise?

Please contact us and schedule a meeting today.

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