prototype – Anidea Engineering Blog

The Proof of Concept Prototype

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

There are many phases to the prototyping of a new product. There are so many terms that get thrown around like this one and the meaning can vary from place to place. Here we will cover the definition and use from a hardware (tangible product) perspective of a Proof of Concept (POC) Prototype.

So just as the name states, the goal here is to prove the concept of the product you want to ultimately produce. The goal is fairly clear, however, the way you define that goal gets a bit trickier. The three things you want to accomplish at this stage are:

Lean startup mentality – fail fast, fail cheap. You have the idea, now does anyone want it? Having a POC that is cost effective to create is important here. Assessing validation of the idea and product at every stage of prototyping is paramount. You must avoid phrases like, “I just know this will be big.”
Determine your next incremental step. If you have X resources, what do you expect to accomplish after expending X resources? For instance, if you are willing to put in 100 hours of time and $200, there should be a goal at the end of that stage. It can be as simple as answering the question, does anyone like my product to determine if it is worth investing more time. It could be more complex such as, I need to be able to raise $20,000 for my next step of development with this POC.
Does it work? This may seem obvious, and so many times ideas seem so clear in your head, but once you start working on it, you find details that just do not pan out.

Building hardware isn’t cheap, but it is getting better all the time. Here is where places like Spark Fun and products like the Raspberry Pi and Arduino come in. You can mock up some hardware, display, some buttons, and show how your product can work. Of course this is great if you are technical, but if you are not, then you have a few more challenges ahead of you, but you can still validate. Perhaps you can make up some renderings and tell the story of your product visually. Or, you can partner with someone technical. In either case, technical or not, you should always build a team. Techs need non-techs and vice versa, but this is another blog.

Your POC needs to tell the story, show the story, and validate the product. The definition of a POC is the goal. It is defined by the early stages of accomplishing these goals. Keep in mind that a POC is also typically limited in looks and function. It is not a minimal viable product (MVP). It’s just the first stages on your way to a functional prototype, and pilot run, and MVP.

The Missing Link Between Proof of Concept Prototype And Production

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Ideas are everywhere. Whether the idea is to build a drone, create an innovative coffee machine, utilize efficient lighting or build an alarm control panel, everyone has ideas. There’s always some little (or big) thing that could make your life easier, more efficient, or simpler.

But there often is a long, and lengthy, process from taking an idea from concept to reality, to something tangible that you can hold in your hand.

This is where Anidea Engineering comes in. We take ideas, mere thoughts, and bring them to reality, making them into something real.

We make something from nothing, whether it is helping with product development, engineering consulting, hardware design and engineering, software design and development, industrial design and mechanical engineering, printed circuit board design and development or manufacturing and prototypes, we do it all!

On the top of our web site, right below the URL, is an amazing document to help any inventor prepare for the process, one which we excel at guiding companies through.

When you’re ready, it is time to make a prototype. So what exactly is a prototype? Merriam-Webster defines a prototype as “an original or first model of something from which other forms are copied or developed; someone or something that has the typical qualities of a particular group, kind, etc.; and a first or early example that is used as a model for what comes later.”

Thomas Edison went through many different variations of his prototype of the light bulb before he found one that worked. It took him more than 10,000 tries, but eventually he got there. This can be a long process, but in the end, it is worth the time and dedication. After all, your idea is on the path to becoming a reality.

So you start with a prototype to create a tangible version of your idea. There are many types of prototypes, but the three Anidea Engineering typically deals with are:

Proof of Concept – This would be an early level prototype that includes many of the final features, but usually has a low level of customization. Typically, Anidea Engineering can take a few off-the-shelf-devices, modify them, program them, etc., and prove the concept the inventor has in mind is practical. They can then be used for raising early stage funds and validating your idea to focus groups.
Functional Prototype – This is a mid-stage prototype, which usually has a high level of customization. Most components are custom or designed for volume purchasing at this point. Most of the features are in place. There may be some compromises on functionality due to cost or time constraints.
Pilot Run – This is a late stage prototype which you have before you start production without the engineers. At this stage the device should represent what you intend to sell. If you find issues here, you iterate, make minor changes and try again.

Prototypes can range in how sophisticated their design and packing are, whether they are made in the garage with a glue gun, or professionally made and ready to show to the market. However, in the early stages, it doesn’t have to be pretty – it just needs to work. Even if it doesn’t, and you keep having to return to the drawing board for your design, don’t feel badly. It isn’t a failure; you are learning what doesn’t work. If it worked for Edison (Even Thomas Edison went through more than 10,000 prototypes until the lightbulb was just right), it will work for you, right?

At Anidea Engineering, we guide you through the process, going from a garage and glue gun inventor to a professional, sellable, specific product.

Yes, prototypes are expensive. For instance, a watch might cost $100 in a department store, but to get that watch from concept to prototype, with manufacturing and testing, may cost more than $100,000.

It takes time, effort, organization and work to take an idea from concept to reality, and we’re here to help.

To learn more, visit www.anidea-engineering.com or call us at (561) 383-7311. Check us out and see how we can help you. Have an idea? Get Anidea! We’re located at 8020 Belvedere Road, Suite 1 in West Palm Beach Florida. Not local? Call and we can set up a Skype conversation at gabriel.goldstein.anidea.

I Have an Idea for an Invention, Now What? – Prototype (P.5)

admin — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

This is a very fun word. Everyone wants their prototype. How much for a prototype? A prototype in the world of product development can mean just about everything from the Popsicle stick project you made in your living room to the first product that comes off a pilot production line. If it’s not your final production run, it’s a prototype.

Consider the origin of the word “prototype”:

c.1600, from French prototype (16c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prototypus “original, primitive,” from Greek prototypon “a first or primitive form,” noun use of neuter singular of prototypos “original, primitive,” from protos “first” (see proto- ) + typos “impression, mold, pattern” (see type (n.)). In English from 1590s as prototypon.

So think ‘first impression’.

I try to use a few more specific phrases to help articulate what the various forms of a prototype.

Proof of concept – This would be an early level prototype that includes many of the final features, but usually has a low level of customization. Typically we can take a few off the shelf devices, modify them, program them, etc., and prove the concept the inventor has in mind is practical. They can then be used for raising early stage funds and validating your idea to focus groups. They are generally not the prettiest things in the world, but they are a good start.

Functional Prototype – This is a mid-stage prototype which usually has a high level of customization. Most components are custom or designed for volume purchasing at this point. Most of the features are in place. There may be some compromises on functionality due to cost or time constraints.

Pilot Run – This is a late stage prototype which you have before you start production without the engineers. At this stage the device should represent what you intend to sell. If you find issues here, you iterate, make minor changes and try again.

It’s important to state that there is a large continuum of what your prototype will be. You can start out with very low tech methods, as I call ‘Garage and a glue gun’, and work your way up to a professionally made, ready to show the market device.

You must start though. Don’t be afraid of making something ugly or that it won’t come out right. It won’t. You will get better. Failure is OK. Start somewhere and keep on working on it.

Iterative Design

Design and engineering don’t happen all at once. Most famous painters don’t paint the perfect picture first time out. With oil paints, you can just keep painting on top of what you have until it looks the way you want. Your product will not be perfect the first time. Keep making prototypes until it’s the way you want it. Of course this needs to be tempered with budget constraints and your time. Experiment, permutate (make different variations), research, test, and do it all over again. Dyson famously made 5,127 of his vacuum. Edison had over 10,000 attempts at his light bulb.

Garage and a Glue Gun

This is where you just have to start somewhere. Everyone can use tools to some degree. The more you use them, the better you’ll be with them. Sketch, illustrate, research, learn, experiment, modify, and create. Repeat. It will not be perfect. The greatest obstacle to finishing a task is starting. Also, this is a good time to take out your camera phone. These early documentation steps will provide great entertainment for later and possibly help you defend your ideas.

Professional Prototype

After you’ve done some of your initial experimentation, and you have a plan, it’s time to consider a professional prototype. You don’t need to be an expert at everything. You should be very familiar with your product and have some very specific ideas about what it should be in the end. When you approach a professional, you should have a written document. It doesn’t need to be a full specification, but it should have the things that you care about along with the known unknowns; the things you know you need their help with.

A professional prototype development company should have a wide range of resources. They will have better tools, machines, toys, skills, and disciplines. Generally, a combination of electrical and mechanical engineering will be required for most projects, however if there are other specialties required, make sure they have access to those other skill sets either through contractors or partner companies.

When working with a professional service, especially product development services, be sure you understand your agreement. Various companies have vastly different business models that may or may not be agreeable to you. Be sure you understand what you are paying, what you are getting, and who owns what. It is possible for you to pay for a design and not own it. Some firms will work for sweat equity in part or in full which is great to save you money, but treat them like you would any other partner, as you will be working with them for a long time.

Conclusion

While I’ve tried to make this exhaustive, it by no means is. Every idea and business plan will have its own nuance and particulars. Product development is a tough road no matter how you slice it. I think the hardest part of it is that the capital required to physically create something just to sell the first one is usually pretty high. On the other hand, there is a lot of activity in software and web products there is more of a gradation in how quickly you can start marketing your product and the intangible aspect of it. There are still many great product ideas out there waiting to be found and executed. I personally love creating tangible products and entrepreneurship, so that’s what I do every day and I feel it’s all worth it.