# 221: How to Go from Prototype to First Manufacturing Run

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2024-04-11
- Length: 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/podcast/221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run/

## Summary

Keenan Wyrobek, Co-Founder and CTO of Zipline, explains the critical transition from prototyping to the first manufacturing run, emphasizing that design changes must cease once the architecture is frozen. He advocates for deep collaboration with manufacturing vendors, suggesting that designers work side-by-side with vendors to build relationships that survive inevitable production challenges. Wyrobek highlights the importance of a comprehensive design manufacturing pack and iterative testing to achieve reliability, especially in safety-critical systems with tight margins.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run#t=0) Introduction: Keenan Wyrobek and Zipline
- [2:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run#t=127) Zipline's History and Robotics Background
- [3:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run#t=206) Architecture Freeze and Prototyping Strategy
- [5:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run#t=346) Vendor Relationships and Co-Design
- [9:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run#t=541) The Design Manufacturing Pack
- [11:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run#t=680) Reliability, Margins, and Late-Stage Resets
- [13:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-11-221-how-to-go-from-prototype-to-first-manufacturing-run#t=812) Zipline's Current Platforms and Future Tech

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Zipline (company)
- Mako Design (company)
- Platform One (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [DeepDive 1-on-1 Series: MAPPING THE ROUTE - Path to the Summit (20m32s)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/npi-sherpa/2026-02-25-deepdive-1-on-1-series-mapping-the-route-path-to-the-summit-20m32s) (NPI Sherpa)
- [A First-Generation Product Master Class with Milo Werner, Recorded LIVE at "Build Better 2022" (hosted by Instrumental Inc.)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-05-a-first-generation-product-master-class-with-milo-werner-recorded-live-at-build) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [DeepDive Masterclass Summary Series: THE PRE-ASCENT PROTOCOL - A Summary of the 4-part series (30m40s)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/npi-sherpa/2026-03-24-deepdive-masterclass-summary-series-the-pre-ascent-protocol-a-summary-of-the-4-p) (NPI Sherpa)
- [DeepDive: Notable Interview Recaps - NPI TACTICS & TEAMWORK (19m35s)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/npi-sherpa/2026-02-17-deepdive-notable-interview-recaps-npi-tactics-teamwork-19m35s) (NPI Sherpa)
- [Keenan Wyrobek (Co-founder/CTO, Zipline)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-07-29-keenan-wyrobek-co-founder-cto-zipline) (Just Gonna Send It)

## Citing this page

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