Prototype and Testing

We maximize the benefits at prototype and reduce time, costs and risks by:

• When possible using the same factories for prototyping and manufacture and feeding knowledge into the manufacture process often reduces cost
• Having leant from the prototype the factory can move to manufacture faster
• We take responsibility for the prototype
• Our design and manufacturing teams work together to deliver the design and support the transition to manufacture
• We have extensive prototyping contacts through our network of factories and have a variety of methods we can use to prototype
• We can design specific testing plans to prove the function of your product

The purpose of the prototype and testing stage is to test the design for suitability and highlight changes or improvements that must be made. Depending on the project it may be necessary to make several further prototypes before the product is finally ready to progress to manufacture.

The aim at this stage is to produce prototypes that function as closely to the final product as possible. However as production processes cannot be used prior to tooling the prototype often varies from the intended product. Materials may differ and the mechanical function, appearance and durability may be different. However once these factors are taken into account a huge amount of valuable work can be achieved. Prototyping is also tremendously rewarding and exciting both for the customer and the team involved in its design.

Batches of prototypes may be produced for fieldtesting and usability testing depending on the customer's requirements.

Skill-sets that may be used:

Prototype and model making, Test engineer, Electronic engineering, software/firmware developer, mechanical engineering, materials engineer, industrial design, production engineer, project management