Product Development
Prototype Development & Testing
Build the thing, break it on purpose, and fix it before the mold is cut.
Overview
Tooling is the point of no return in a hardware project. Once the mold is cut, a change to the enclosure costs weeks and real money. The purpose of prototyping is to spend a small amount now to avoid that.
We build functional prototypes — PCB assemblies, 3D-printed or CNC enclosure samples, and firmware that exercises the real use cases. Where the product has a wireless link, the prototype is measured for range and current draw, not just switched on to confirm it powers up.
Testing is planned against the requirements written at the concept stage: functional tests, power consumption, thermal behaviour, drop and ingress checks where relevant, and a documented list of issues with severity and disposition. The output is a decision — proceed to tooling, iterate, or stop.
Capabilities
What this covers
Functional prototypes
Assembled boards and enclosure samples that run the actual firmware and support real user testing.
Measurement, not assumption
Current draw, RF range, thermal rise and timing measured on the prototype and compared against targets.
Structured test plan
Tests derived from the requirements, with pass criteria agreed before testing begins.
Issue log and decision
A ranked issue list with dispositions, and a clear recommendation on whether to proceed to tooling.
Specification
Technical specifications
| Typical duration | 3 – 8 weeks per iteration |
|---|---|
| Prototype methods | SMT assembly, 3D printing, CNC machining, silicone casting |
| Testing | Functional, power, thermal, drop, ingress and RF range as applicable |
| You receive | Prototype units, test report, issue log, tooling recommendation |
Applications
Where it is used
- Pre-tooling validation
- Investor and customer demonstrations
- Field trials with real users
- Certification pre-testing
- Design verification
Related
Continue exploring
Tell us what you are building.
Send us the requirement, the target market and the volume you have in mind. We will come back with a technical response and an indicative quotation — usually within one business day.