# 164: The 3 Prototyping Phases for New Product Development

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Length: 38m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/

## Summary

Tim Uys, Head of Design at Mako Design + Invent, outlines the three critical phases of prototyping for hardware startups: mock, mechanical, and refined prototypes. He explains that starting with low-cost 3D printed mockups allows for rapid iteration of form and ergonomics, while mechanical prototypes use higher-fidelity methods like CNC machining to validate complex functions and material strength. Uys emphasizes that a final refined prototype is essential for securing manufacturing partners and investors, as it proves the product's viability and reduces the risk of costly errors during mass production.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development#t=0) Introduction: Tim Uys and Mako Design + Invent
- [4:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development#t=299) Phase 1: Mock Prototypes and Rapid Iteration
- [12:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development#t=746) Phase 2: Mechanical and Functional Prototyping
- [16:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development#t=967) Manufacturing Processes: 3D Printing vs. CNC
- [23:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development#t=1415) Phase 3: Refined and Presentation Prototypes
- [29:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development#t=1791) Using Prototypes to Secure Manufacturing Partners
- [33:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development#t=2019) Production Samples and Iterative Scaling

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mako Design + Invent (company)
- ID-1 (company)
- Nike (company)
- Dell (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Starship (product)
- FDM (other)
- CNC (other)
- SLA (other)
- EDM (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [IDology #2 - Prototyping in product development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-15-idology-2-prototyping-in-product-development) (IDology)
- [The Ugly Truth About Prototyping a New Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2023-01-11-the-ugly-truth-about-prototyping-a-new-product) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [#027 - Rapid prototyping - a platform and its essential tools, with Finbarr Watterson of Fictiv, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-24-027-rapid-prototyping-a-platform-and-its-essential-tools-with-finbarr-watterson) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [S2E37 Defied the odds:  A Physical Product Development Firm That Focuses on Startups & Small Businesses, Mako Design + Invent –Kevin Mako](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-23-s2e37-defied-the-odds-a-physical-product-development-firm-that-focuses-on-startu) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep. 38 - Taking Prototypes to Production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2025-02-27-ep-38-taking-prototypes-to-production) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Product Startup.