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Prototype designing - is it different than production?

-Matt Stevenson

Prototype: a first or early example that is used as a model for what comes later*.  

In the early phases of prototyping an electronic or mechatronic project, the goal is to prove that a design concept works before substantial time and effort is put into the project. Generally, the goal is speed of the design and then testing to prove or disprove a concept. 

In order to make the best use of one of our most precious resources, our design engineer's time, prototyping the PCB can be done in a variety of ways. Making several prototyping choices, knowing that it is not going to be a robust or cost effective final design, in favor of design speed and getting to the next step of the process quicker can be an effective alternative. Tricks such as adding extra layers and letting your tool auto-route traces can be an effective prototyping solution that will get to the end result more quickly.    

Utilizing the DRC rules, rats nest tools and standard design process that are built into most design tools will help expedite the process as well as save costs on the prototype PCBs. Submitting a design that passes these checks to Sunstone’s Run as Sent service gets the order into manufacturing faster and is a more economical choice for your project.

Send an email to our PCB Design specialist if you have questions.

*(as defined by Webster’s dictionary)