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A Guide to Electronics Prototyping for Hardware Startups

15 years, 5127 prototypes is what it took James Dyson to create the DC01, his first upright vacuum cleaner with the patented cyclone technology. Dyson clearly understood the importance of creating and testing prototypes for the development of his new product.


As an entrepreneur or hardware startup trying to bring an electronics product to market, it will be important for you to understand the hardware prototype development process, the various types of prototypes you need to create and electronics prototyping tools you can use. This article is tailored towards a typical consumer electronics product with a PCB (printed circuit board) and an outer plastic enclosure. Though the development of other types of electronic products would also use a very similar approach.

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In this article,

  • The importance of prototyping

  • The types of prototypes

  • Tools to help you build your first electronics prototype


The importance of prototyping:-

A) In lowering risk


Prototyping = Experience


Product development is an iterative process. The more prototypes you create, the more you learn about the challenges to overcome in your next version and ways to improve