Prototype Development of Products with Electronics

Prototype Development of Products with Electronics

Electromechanical Products: Do you have a great idea for a new product with electronics? Want to materialize your idea into a real product and take it to the market? Well, the first thing to do is to develop a working prototype. Prototype development of products with electronics is essential to test and try the products before introducing them to the actual consumers. So, where should you begin with the prototype development of products with electronics?

Prototype development of products with electronics is, no doubt, challenging and expensive. You also would not get the desired results immediately without a prototype. If you, however, break down the product prototype development process into manageable steps, it is possible to succeed with the working prototype.

Prototype development of most products with electronics can be divided into two segments – the electronics segment and the plastic case segment. Let us have a look at each of these segments.

The Electronics Segment

Developing a prototype of the electronics segment of your conceived product can be divided into four steps.

If you are well-versed with electronics or if you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can skip the first two steps. Otherwise, you will need to team up with a product prototype development company that is experienced in the development of prototypes for products with electronics.

Step 1. Create the Schematic

The first step in the development of the electronics segment is the creation of the electronics blueprint or schematic for your product. This blueprint states all the important details of building the electronics segment, including how the necessary components and modules are connected.

Which components are needed will also be specified in the schematic. A bill of materials (BOM) or associated list will be prepared, itemizing every electronic item.

Step 2. Develop a Basic Prototype

Depending on your project and your budget, you may or may not want to develop a basic prototype of the electronics segment.

To create basic prototypes for the electronics segment, you can use breadboards. Utilizing breadboards, you can somewhat crudely, but fairly quickly connect various electronic components. If your project requires advanced electronics, you may also use ready-to-use modules like the Raspberry Pi and Arduino.

Step 3. Design a PCB Layout

You will, at some point, require a production-quality prototype of your conceived product. To create a production-quality prototype, you will require the design and creation of a PCB (printed circuit board).

A printed circuit board is a custom-designed board that holds and connects all the necessary electronic components. Utilizing a special computer application, electronic engineers can turn the schematic of the electronics segment of the conceived product into a virtual layout. Designing a PCB layout is challenging because anything out-of-place can have a big impact on the performance of the final product.

Step 4. Fabrication of the PCBs & Assembly of the Electronic Components

After having a definitive PCB layout, you will need to send the layout to an electronics prototype development company for construction. Such a prototype development company will first fabricate empty PCBs.

After the fabrication of the PCBs, the next step is to assemble the various components on the PCBs through soldering. Most of the modern electronic components are minute and compact, making it very difficult to solder them manually. Therefore, a product prototype development company might employ automated machines to solder the compact and minute electronic components.

The Plastic Case Segment

Most products with electronics need some enclosure, and plastic cases are often the best choice. To create a custom-shaped plastic case for your prototype, you will need to utilize 3D printing or CNC machining.

Step 1. Create a 3D Model

You need to first design a 3D computer model of the required plastic parts. Unless you are proficient at creating 3D computer models, you will need someone expert for this step.

Even if you are capable of creating 3D computer models yourself, the computer software required to create definitive 3D models is very expensive; hence, it may be in your best interest to hire a 3D modeling expert.

Step 2. 3D Printing

Once you have the 3D model of the plastic case or other plastic parts, you can send the design files to a 3D printer for effortless and rapid prototyping. If you do not have a 3D printer, you can approach a prototype shop that offers a 3D printing service.

On the other hand, you can also procure your 3D printer. In the past several years, 3D printers have become cheap enough for personal use.

For the large-scale production of certain plastic cases and parts, however, a completely different technology is utilized. It is called high-pressure injection molding. Shifting a plastic design from a mere prototype to full-scale production is a complex as well as an expensive process. Therefore, teaming up with a plastic product manufacturer, that specializes in plastic product manufacturing with different techniques, will be a wise move on your part.

Product prototype development is vital. Once you have a working prototype of your electronic product development, you can proceed to get potential stakeholders, customer feedback, and a mass manufacturing partner. The path to success of a product with electronics is long, but it all begins with a product prototype.

If you need help with prototype development for products with electronics, then get in touch with GID Development Corporation. A new product prototype development company in California, USA, GID Development Corporation utilizes state-of-the-art technologies in order to develop precise product prototypes quickly and economically.

Aside from product prototype development, GID Development Corporation also provides product design, product development, and other product fulfillment services. GID also possesses the skills and knowledge of a plastic product manufacturer that helps them develop various plastic parts, components, and cases using different injection molding techniques.

Whether it is the design, development, or prototyping of products with electronics, products with imbedded software, mechanical products, electromechanical products, medical device products, or any generic or special-purpose products, GID Development Corporation will certainly “GET IT DONE!”

If you have any questions regarding product design, product development, or product prototype development, simply give GID a call. Currently, GID is offering a free 15-minute telephonic conference. So, just call Jim Grimes at 714-323-1052 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST.

Alpha Prototype and Beta Prototype – Difference Between Them in Product Prototype Development

Product Prototype Development

Alpha prototype, Beta prototype, and their difference are what most people have been wondering about. For an inventor, product prototype development is essential. After all, a product prototype is a physical manifestation of a mere idea, which can serve different purposes. For one, a product prototype gives a clearer picture of what the potential product will look like. With a product prototype, the inventor can also test the various functions of the potential product in the real world. A product prototype also assists in making the final product better. Another important purpose a product prototype serves is it helps attract stakeholders, and eventually, the capital that helps take the product further close to the prospective consumers. The cardinal role a prototype plays in the new product development makes product prototype development an important function that no inventor should overlook.

Anyone can create a product prototype, but in order to have a pragmatic prototype that can serve different purposes, it is wise to hire a good product prototype development company. A good product prototype development company has the experience, knowledge to perform extensive research, and proper technology and equipment that help create accurate product prototypes.

Difference Between Alpha Prototype And Beta Prototype

When it comes to product prototyping, a product prototype development company usually creates Alpha and Beta prototypes. What is the difference between alpha and beta prototypes? Well, alpha prototypes are product prototypes that are tested internally by the prototype development company, and such prototypes usually have a lot of flaws. Beta prototypes, on the other hand, are more like the final product with more functions. Beta prototypes are normally tested by potential consumers or the general public. Here are some more details on alpha prototypes and beta prototypes:

Alpha Prototypes

Alpha, the first alphabet in the Greek language, is used for the first testable prototype variant of a potential product. Testing of the alpha prototypes is usually carried out by the product prototype development company itself, but sometimes, the company also recruits outside volunteers to test the alpha prototype.

At the alpha stage, the product prototype can have substantial flaws or missing functions, and unfinished documentation and it may even require a special environment in order to operate or function. Alpha testing can go through many iterations, and the prototype variants may add or subtract certain working features while the prototyping experts fix the flaws and make alterations based on the test feedback.

Once the alpha prototype is fairly functional and closely resembles the envisioned product, it moves to beta testing.

Beta Prototypes

Beta prototypes of a potential product are usually much closer to the final product than alpha prototypes. These product prototypes are, in most cases, tested by the prospective consumers as well as the general public.

A beta prototype is typically an augmentation of an alpha prototype – meaning it has all the functions in place that are expected for the final product. The beta prototype also has fewer flaws than the alpha prototype. The documentation is almost complete or close to complete, and the prototype is usually ready to perform or operate in the real-world environment without any assistance.

Beta testing is usually shorter than alpha testing. The reason for this is that the beta testing is usually designed to identify the minute, last-minute issues before the envisioned product is launched in the market to the actual consumers.

Product prototype development, including alpha and beta, is important. The success of the envisioned product predominantly relies on the prototypes. If you are seeking a good product prototype development company that can help develop definitive alpha and beta prototypes, then GID Development Corporation is worth considering.

GID Development Corporation is a product design, product development, and product prototype development company in California, USA. Using their years of experience in product prototyping and cutting-edge technologies, like the 3DEXPERIENCE platform from Dassault Systèmes, GID Development Corporation can help create accurate product prototypes for products with electronics, products with embedded software, electromechanical products, medical device products, and many other types of products. Aside from new product design, product development, and product prototyping, GID Development Corporation also provides a whole lot of other services that help take a product concept to reality and into the hands of prospective consumers.

To learn more about GID Development Corporation, Get In Touch. Also,  go through our official YouTube channel.

GID Development Corporation currently offers a free, 15-minute telephonic conference for those who have questions regarding new product design, product development, and product prototyping. Those who are interested can call Jim Grimes at 714-323-1052 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST.

Also, Read Our Latest Posts:

Top 3 Product Design Tips

Need Product Prototype Development? Visit GID Company

Five Phases of Product Development Process

Prototype Development Services – How Much It Costs?

How to Create your Product Prototype

How to Create your Product Prototype

If you have a concept of a new product in mind, the most important thing you can do to see whether it will work is to bring that product idea to life. In order to bring that product idea to life, the best and the safest approach is to create a prototype – a tangible representation of a concept or product.

Product prototype development may or may not be complicated, but it is certainly time-consuming. However, considering the end result, a physical realization of your product concept, it is certainly worth it to spend some time and efforts for product prototype development.

Here is a list of steps for how to create your product prototype:

Prepare a clear drawing of your innovation

It is all right to scribble your innovation on a tissue paper or a rough piece of paper – product ideas can strike at any time! However, make sure to keep that doodle safe until you make a clear drawing somewhere safe. From your rough sketch, draw it out clearly in a sketchbook. Include every detail, like how it will look, its dimensions, its surfaces, etc. Further, write down the list of features that your product will have.

If you know how to use CAD (computer-aided design) software, it will be very helpful to make a CAD sketch as well. It is obvious you will have plenty of drawings; hence, make sure to date them as it may assist you later on when it comes to patent ownership issues.

Build a non-working version

Using foam, plastic, wood, metal or any other materials you are comfortable with, create a non-working model of your innovation. A non-working model will let you gauge the size and form better than clear drawings that you drew in your sketchbook. A non-working model does not have to be perfect or pretty-looking, but it should resemble like your product as much as possible.

Create a plan for how to develop a working model

Once you got the non-working model, it is time to start thinking about how to create a working model. Consider the size, function and usefulness of your product. Think whether it will be of plastic, rubber, metal or some other material. Take into account the product’s important physical qualities. Think about its strength, flexibility and tactile aspects, for instance, its surface’s smoothness.

Make an exhaustive list of all the things you will need. Refer it as many times as possible to ensure you have not left out anything. This list will be very helpful when you decide to go to a product prototype development company; they will use this list as a guide for determining the cost of new prototype development.

Getting your working product prototype manufactured

Creating a non-working model of your innovation can be easy, but developing a fully functional prototype can be challenging. For that reason, you will need to reach out to a reputable product prototype development company. While working with a product prototype development company certainly is an excellent and sensible idea, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when partnering with them.

Sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)

Before sharing your drawings, it will be in your best interest to get the NDA signed by your new product prototype development company. As the term suggests, it will prevent the company from sharing your concept with third-party or someone else.

Describe your concept thoroughly

Prototype development companies are experts; however, it is essential to describe your idea as clearly and thoroughly as possible to them. Tell them what you think, explain them about how your product should look like, how it should work, who can use it and so on. This will not only help them provide you an accurate quote, but it will also help them understand what you actually want and what you actually expect from them.

If you are looking for an experienced product prototype development company in California, the GID Company is worth giving a shot. With decades of rich experience in new product design and product development, the professionals at GID Company can help develop exceptional prototypes and test them. They can even help with the enhancement of the prototype and bulk manufacturing of the final product. Jim Grimes at 714-323-1052 8am to 5pm PST for a free consultation.

Learn more about GID Company by visiting https://www.gidcompany.com/

Important Points to Remember During Product Prototype Development

Points to Remember During Product Prototype Development

The purpose of product prototype development is to shorten development times and to reduce the costs of product development. A product prototype is a working model that offers a much clearer picture of the system to be developed, but only if it is done right. Thus to help entrepreneurs develop a fully functional prototype, here is the list of some of the most important points to remember while developing a product prototype, and they are as follows:

Keep ready a potent prototype plan – Most entrepreneurs believe that a product prototype development is a linear process. Product designers come up with product designs, conclude the best product design, create a prototype, and test it before proceeding to bulk manufacturing.

However, the process of product design and rapid prototyping is much more iterative. Separated teams and departments in an organization ideates, votes on the most rewarding and transformational ideas, and everyone adopts an empathetic mindset to understand what customers actually require. In the process of new product development, the phase of product prototype development is all about failing and incorporating feedback on the go, so you can reach a profitable product at the earliest.

Keep the product prototype simple – While developing a product prototype, most entrepreneurs believe that they have to come up with an impressive prototype at the first attempt and then simply collect feedbacks before taking it to market. However, when they do that, they spend thousands of hours and dollars to produce something customers don’t understand or don’t require.

In design thinking, to develop a product prototype, you utilize the materials that are readily available to you. Utilizing simple materials to develop a product prototype helps you get the idea out on the table, without investing extra time and money. Creating a simple product prototype helps you gain incredibly valuable feedback.

Collect valuable, informed feedback – When you test your prototype, search for actionable ways to enhance it. Carry your product prototype to a wide variety of audiences, even if it is of low resolution or made out of simple materials such as pipes and cardboard, and explain it to them. If explaining is not enough, tell them how your product can be used. The sole intention of your prototype is to gather valuable, informed feedback that’s both negative and positive. Always welcome questions, comments, and new ideas for making your concept better.

Time to act on feedback – You have to keep your team on standby, asking them to pay attention to feedback and iterating it on the go. The valuable feedback that you received after developing a prototype will help you make a better product, or help you find out that your prototype is going nowhere. In both the cases, you stand a chance of delivering an improved product, which will be loved by your customers.

The ultimate goal of rapid prototyping isn’t to perfect your final product; it is to create ideas until you have cinched all the basic aspects. Then you can create a superior version to test.

A product prototype development allows you to bank on ideas and feedbacks in almost real time. Learning lessons from the failures and implementing them into to the process allows an entrepreneur to easily tweak and embellish a product with relatively low cost.

If you are looking for rapid prototyping services in the United States, then feel free to contact us at www.GIDCompany.com.

Professional Prototype Development Services in the USA

Professional Prototype Development Services

At The GID Development Corporation, we offer product prototype development services at its best with high accuracy and precision. We understand the importance of product prototype development in the process of new product development; hence, to attend the highest level of perfection, we use all the latest technologies and techniques to convert an idea into a fully functional prototype.

As an established and experienced product design and product development company in USA, the GID Development Corporation is dedicated to offering entrepreneurs and innovators with a single source for custom manufactured parts and products. With a focus on delivering value to our clients, we endeavor to modernize the product development process by offering the revolutionary rapid prototyping and product design service options all at one place. Our product designers and engineers are highly skilled and aim to deliver prototyping solutions that best-fit budget, time constraints, and manufacturing requirements.

Rapid Prototyping is one of the crucial steps in the custom product development; hence, it should be done right. Developing a product prototype on your own or with the help of a prototyping company will help you test your concept before you proceed to bulk manufacturing phase. Moreover, prototyping makes your concept a physical reality. A fully functional product prototype not only lets you test the functionalities, but also helps you impress your financiers and potential customers.

As an American product prototyping company, we are well aware of each-and-every traits of rapid prototyping. The GID Development Corporation offers multi-faceted rapid prototyping services, including selective laser sintering (SLS), stereo lithography (SLA), high-speed CNC machining and professional prototype model making. By applying the most advanced prototyping technology, our team of highly qualified engineers and designers is capable of meeting the most stringent requirements in terms of time, cost and precision in the development of product prototypes.

With more than four decades of industry experience, GID is the best choice that can help you to carry out rapid prototyping in the most professional manner. Our product designers can convert your concept into a working prototype that will help you to understand how your product will perform before starting the manufacturing process. Here at GID, you can get professional prototyping services, which help you get more accurate and a relevant product that fits business needs. We specialize in creating a prototype out of a wide variety of materials such as plastic, rubber, wood, electronics, fabrics, glass, metal, silicon and other available materials. For more information, contact us at GID Company.

What are Important Points to Consider Before Product Prototype Development

What are Important Points to Consider Before Product Prototype Development

As an entrepreneur, you admit it or not, but product prototype development has its own importance and significance in the process of new product development. It not only lets you test the product design and functionalities, but it also helps you to attract investors and new customers. Additionally, with the help of a fully functional product prototype, you can also create a pre-launch buzz about your product in the respective market. Because of hundreds of advantages offered, product prototype development is gaining immense popularity among the product-based companies across the globe. However, there are some important questions that needs to be answered before you proceed for product prototype development.

However, successful product prototype development is not everyone’s cup of tea—it’s a secret recipe. To help entrepreneurs develop a fully functional prototype in no time, GID, a product development company in California, lists the most important points to consider before any prototype development.

Entrepreneurs Need To Answer These Questions Before Prototype Development

A working prototype helps product analysts, designers, and engineers to produce the final product with required functions. However, here are some points to consider before you start prototyping your concept.

  1. What will be your product’s features and attributes?
  2. What are you offering via the product that your competitors’ products don’t?
  3. For how many years should your product last?
  4. What is the objective of your product?
  5. Do you need to include any new technology to create the product?
  6. Where will it be developed, packaged, promoted and sold?
  7. What will be the manufacturing cost?
  8. What will be its price in the market?
  9. Is your product complying with government regulations or not?
  10. Is your product safe and eco-friendly?
  11. Is it going to face patent infringements or other possible hang-ups?

Contact a Product Prototype Development Company

New product development begins with an idea; however, bringing it to life demands a lot of time, patience, money, expertise, and hard work. For entrepreneurs, who are planning for custom product development in near time, there are product development companies such as the GID Development Corporation in California to help you at every stage of custom product manufacturing. These product design and development companies have skilled resources, industry experience, and tools to bring ideas to life in the most rewarding manner.

The GID Development Corporation is a product manufacturing company based in California propelled ahead by like-minded professionals, seeking splendid success in whatever they do. They love to collaborate and transform ideas into reality with rapid prototyping. GID specializes in producing prototypes for plastic, production equipment, metal, electronic and many more.

For more information, you can contact our professionals at info@gidcompany.com or visit our website: https://www.gidcompany.com/our-portfolio/ to view our product development portfolio. You can like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter as well.