Progressing from Prototype to Production - Design house or specialist providers..

[Hugh]

Hey Ric,

I'm just about to signoff on a prototype. Its a complex electrical device. My partner and I do not have experience with manufacturing or hardware design, so we're having to learn a lot as we go.

Plan A was to use specialist providers broken down along specific skillsets (electrical engineers, Industrial Design firm, etc) like we'd do for a software project (graphics, DB, application etc). So far, this approach hasn't been a roaring success, and I don't know if its because we just got unlucky with our choices or whether this approach is just not so good. We're getting it done, but project plan has been blown by 6 weeks, and its creeping higher.. and we're doing just 'the easy bit'.

So I'm about to try Plan B. The plan is to engage a full service design house to create the pre-production prototype, do all the electrical and mechanical design, certification, and eventually manage the manufacturing side. We're receiving quotes for this right now, and we've spoken to a few firms that seem extremely promising.

My question- do you have a preference for either (or neither) approach? Can you recommend any Australian providers? 

  

[Ric Richardson]

I just find the best comparable product and find the person that did that job. Look on the net for prototypes that are close to yours in nature and then use the person that did that work. Ric

[Hugh]

Thanks again for your advice Ric. I'll quieten down for a bit, don't want to crowd out others. I really appreciate your feedback though.

[Ric Richardson]

no worries mate.

Ric