Prototype is an element of new product introduction (NPI), which involves building initial quantities, in short production runs, of an electronic product, like bare PCB and PCB assembly, for testing, as well as for design validation and manufacturability refinement. The prototyping process involves nearly all aspects of a product prior to volume production and can significantly streamline the design and product development process, while substantially reducing costs. MADPCB supports PCB prototypes, PCB assembly prototypes and mass production.
Types of PCB Prototypes
Different types of PCB prototypes are applied to test different aspects of the PCB design. Over the course of a project, a design team may use multiple PCBs at various stages of the design process. Some of these PCB prototype types include:
- Visual Models: Illustrate the physical aspects of the PCB design, and show the overall shape and component structure. These are usually the first prototypes, which are used to communicate and review the design in a way that is easy and affordable.
- Proof-of Concept Prototype: Just simple printed circuit board prototypes that focus on replicating the primary function without carrying all fabrication process of the final product. This kind of prototype circuit board is primarily to show whether the design concept is viable.
- Working Prototype: the board contains all of the planned features and functions of the final product. It is used to identify weakness or problems in the design, and rarely represent what the finished product is going to look like.
- Functional Prototype: This prototype is close to the final product as possible, provides the most accurate idea of what the design will look like and how it will work, with some basic material difference to keep prototype board costs low.
Engineers usually work through this list from top to bottom throughout the PCB design and verification process at prototyping stage.