The purposes of prototyping are manifold. It is the mechanism by which an idea is transformed into a product. It is a way of proving that a concept achieves (or does not achieve) its goals. It is a process of selecting appropriate technologies for a purpose and engaging them in a suitable manner. And it is a method of researching and developing new technologies to solve a problem where existing ones are unsuitable. Prototyping can also be used for developing a product or solution for a single or low-volume application by a client directly. In other words, the product is not to become a commercial one.
We go to great lengths and efforts in our prototyping activities to ensure all unknowns become known and that the path forward to product realisation is certain, whether it is to be conducted by Microsynthesis or by another organisation. We pride ourselves in having great skills, facilities and experience in designing, developing and testing prototypes. We use techniques to ensure robustness and reliability throughout all our operations and the prototype stage is no different. Indeed, very often, the outputs from this service form the bases of product development so it is vital to ensure that rugged design, implementation and test techniques are used from the outset.
Prototyping work starts with the outputs from our engineering consultancy service or from equivalent documents supplied directly by the client. Microsynthesis is also happy to take over prototype work started by the client or third party. The outputs from this service are validated designs, reports and other documentation along with developed hardware and software prototypes which may be used in their own right by the client or taken forward to our (or a third party’s) product development service.
Some of the activities included within this service are:
- Exploration of currently available, potentially suitable technologies
- Primary technical (engineering) research
- Development of new technologies and software methods
- Conceptual and functional design
- Principles of operation
- System partitioning
- Software and hardware tool development
- Simulation and modelling
- Proof-of-concept unit development and testing
- Proof-of-concept integration and verification
- Development of fully functional prototypes
- Development of mechanically accurate prototypes
- System validation