Any good
smt assembly probably already understands the importance of prototyping. In the do-it-yourself arena of creation, engineers may have the funds to afford making a round of mistakes with expensive materials. At a commercial, mass-production level, expenses for multiple revisions or printing runs can skyrocket a budget out of control.
Prototypes Are Essentially Drafts
A prototype of a design, a machine, a car, or even a book (though it�s better known here as a �draft�), is essentially the same: it represents a preliminary version from which revised (and hopefully better) versions will be developed. Prototype assembly of printed circuit boards is about more than just trial and error. Designers are not just killing time on guess-and-check procedures. Prototype assembly must be done correctly. Then the prototype must be tested in the right � and thorough � ways that are necessary to fully understand and improve the device until it is ready to ship.
Some graphic designers, illustrators, or film directors start prototyping with drawings or sketches. This same process could be helpful to PC board designers, but the exactness and rigidity of shapes and lines on a board can be difficult to capture by hand. An efficient PCB prototype should be drafted (and revised) in qualified CAD software, and then actually physically produced.
After Drafting Comes Rigorous Testing
A physical production of a printed circuit board allows a team to fully test it�s functionality before entering the final manufacturing stages. Teams will investigate to determine if components fit correctly, if traces or solders are bridged or touching, if there are any defects in the substrate, if the layout is correct, and much more. Intensive and extensive testing can often take longer than prior development stages.
Prototyping also helps developers more quickly iterate. A tangible device or component gives designers an opportunity to see the product from every angle. Plus, as the physical device is being created, teams can (and should) check on the production process. This is the time when extra costs can be discovered, re-machining can be performed, or timelines can be readjusted.
A Completed Prototype Is Then Showcased
Eventually, after all of this testing, the developers will need to sell their device. A physical prototype allows investors and purchasers to hold a fully-functional model. They can test it if they wish, or see how it would work with their components, parts, or other devices. An intangible pitch can be made with great enthusiasm, and might even gain the attention of some investors. However, developers should know that successfully delivering on that pitch with a real prototype instills trust and extinguishes doubts.
The legal side of things is also easier when a design agency has a prototype in hand. Many an aspiring-creative who hasn�t put in the work to actually produce their vision has come to learn this phrase: �no one can copyright an idea.� Prototype assembly gives developers physical proof that they originated a real thing. This makes the copyright and patenting process not only possible, but much smoother.
For most people, the full effect of prototyping is never really apparent until they�ve gone through it. For those that know, the process is an invaluable necessity.