As a startup business, chances are you don’t have a huge amount of capital to start with. Therefore, it’s only natural if you’re thinking about the ways you can thrive whilst saving costs. Especially with a potential recession looming in the UK! But we’re here to tell you that saving costs by skimping on a prototype is not the way to go.
If you’re looking at creating a new product that’ll change the world, read on to find out how prototyping could save you time, money and a potential headache later down the line.
What is prototyping?
If you’re one of the 665,495 startups in the UK, you may be wondering what a prototype is?
Well, on a basic level, prototyping is an experimental process where a design team will transform their ideas into a working model. That way, teams can test out their product before the final design is made.
By prototyping, you can ensure you are building upon a solid foundation, rather than just relying on abstract ideas in your head.
How can prototyping save businesses money?
Many start-ups think that prototyping is one of the things eating into their development budget. But prototyping can save you money when you think about it.
Firstly, prototypes help you to identify flaws as soon as possible. In business, time is money, so by identifying flaws early in the process, you’ll save yourself time later down the line.
Similarly, if you skip the prototyping stage and your design has issues, you may only realise after you’ve invested in a high-volume production run. In comparison, the cost of a PCB prototype is just a drop in the ocean!
What sectors benefit from prototyping?
If you’re not sure whether your sector requires a PCB prototype, here are some sectors where they’re commonplace.
- Healthcare – Responsible for developing a wide range of products, it seems fitting that the healthcare industry is keen on using prototypes! Using 3D printing services, the healthcare industry relies on prototypes to create surgical models and medical devices.
- Manufacturing and construction – Helpful for designing parts in construction, prototyping is used to ensure all parts being manufactured fit like a glove.
- Electronics and consumer goods – Whether you’re inventing a quirky new toy or a patented tool case, the electronics industry relies on rapid prototyping to test designs. This means that companies can get the product right before moving onto the manufacturing stage.
- Transport – Helpful in the automotive industry, prototypes are used to test new car part designs.
- Aerospace – The aerospace industry isn’t shy when it comes to innovation. As such, they often use prototypes to test the durability and flexibility of materials when applied to a range of designs.
Final thoughts…
As a startup, there’s no denying that it’s an exciting time! But it’s also one that can be challenging to navigate.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve and create designs that your competitors will agonise over, it’s important to invest in the prototyping process. Although it may seem like a costly investment to begin with, prototyping is a one-way ticket to success, so if you haven’t already, you may want to consider it.
