# 184: The Value of Low-Volume Invention Manufacturing

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2023-07-13
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/

## Summary

Ethan Escowitz, founder of Arris Composites, explains how low-volume manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and room-temperature resin molding allow hardware startups to bypass high upfront tooling costs and minimum order quantities. He argues that producing small batches enables critical customer and engineering feedback loops, allowing founders to iterate on design and market fit before committing to high-volume production. Escowitz highlights the strategic advantage startups have in taking calculated risks on new composite technologies to achieve 'zero to one' innovations, provided they avoid feature creep and focus on a high-quality MVP. The discussion emphasizes balancing founder vision with market feedback to de-risk the venture and build equity through validated, differentiated products.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=0) Introduction: Ethan Escowitz and Arris Composites
- [2:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=122) Escowitz's Background in Additive Manufacturing and Objet
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=213) Defining Low-Volume Manufacturing and Eliminating the 'Abyss'
- [7:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=469) Consumer vs. Non-Consumer Products and Surface Finish Challenges
- [10:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=613) Using Short Runs for Agile Iteration and Feedback Loops
- [13:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=816) Balancing Risk, Core Innovation, and Feature Creep
- [16:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=1014) The Founder's Vision vs. Market Feedback and Marketing
- [21:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-07-13-184-the-value-of-low-volume-invention-manufacturing#t=1306) Conclusion: Strategic Approach to Hardware Launch

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Arris Composites (company)
- Objet (company)
- Stratasys (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [230 - Does India have the solution to small injection molding production volumes? Akash Yeole, CEO of Akyeo Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-30-230-does-india-have-the-solution-to-small-injection-molding-production-volumes-a) (People of Packaging)
- [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)
- [Lisa Lloyd | Engineering with Inventors, Starting Inexpensively, and Diverse Teams](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-17-lisa-lloyd-engineering-with-inventors-starting-inexpensively-and-diverse-teams) (Being an Engineer)
- [3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing with Steve Szymeczek of Penumbra Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-02-3d-printing-and-additive-manufacturing-with-steve-szymeczek-of-penumbra-engineer) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Interview with Eric Ries - Transorted Testing Tachydidaxy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-08-21-interview-with-eric-ries-transorted-testing-tachydidaxy) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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