Prototype Services

Cost optimisation is essential for balancing performance, reliability and affordability. It involves strategic decisions in design, manufacturing and procurement to reduce expenses without compromising quality. Key strategies for cost optimisation include:

• Component Selection: choosing cost-effective alternatives without sacrificing functionality & quality

• Design Efficiency: simplifying PCB layouts to minimise material and assembly costs

• Manufacturing Process Optimisation: using automated testing and efficient soldering techniques like vapour phase, nitrogen and conventional reflow

• Supply Chain Management: negotiating better pricing and sourcing components strategically

• Simulation-Driven Design: using digital simulations to reduce prototyping costs and shorten time to market

• Standardisation: using off-the-shelf components where possible to avoid custom manufacturing expenses

This refers to our services that are optimised to accelerate the development and manufacturing of electronic products. We offer rapid prototyping, design verification and fast-turn PCB assembly to help customers bring their products to market quickly. Our service offers:

• Rapid Prototyping & small batch assembly: speeding up the design and testing phase with builds completed in 5 to 10 working days from material clearance

• PCB Design & Layout: optimising circuit board designs for efficiency

• Surface Mount Technology (SMT): advanced assembly techniques for compact electronics

• Quality Control: ensuring reliability and performance

Lead-time reduction is crucial for improving efficiency, minimising delays and ensuring timely product delivery. TechPoint uses various strategies to streamline procurement and manufacturing processes including:

• Optimised Supply Chain Management: strengthening supplier relationships and diversifying sourcing options to mitigate delays

• Component Stockpiling: pre-purchasing critical components to avoid shortages and long lead times

• Design for Availability: selecting readily available components during the design phase to prevent bottlenecks

• Automated Procurement & Forecasting: using AI-driven tools to predict demand and optimise inventory levels

• Local Sourcing & Manufacturing: reducing dependency on overseas suppliers to shorten transportation times

Manufacturability verification in electronics ensures that a product design can be efficiently and reliably produced in scale. It helps identify potential manufacturing issues early, reducing costs and improving yield. Key aspects of our manufacturability verification include:

• Design for Manufacturing (DFM): optimising PCB layouts and component placement to streamline production

• Automated Testing & Inspection: using tools like 3D Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) and 3D X-ray Inspection (AXI) to detect defects

• Material & Process Validation: ensuring compatibility with soldering techniques such as vapour phase, nitrogen and conventional reflow

• Failure Mode Analysis: identifying potential weaknesses to enhance product reliability

• Supply Chain Coordination: collaborating with manufacturers to align design with production capabilities

• We also have experience in Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for automotive and other industries

Material and component selection in electronics is a crucial process that impacts performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness. Choosing the right materials ensures optimal thermal management, electrical conductivity and mechanical durability. Some key considerations include:

• Thermal Conductivity: materials like Rogers RT laminate are ideal for high-power applications due to their ability to dissipate heat efficiently

• Electrical Properties: high-conductivity metals such as copper and silver are commonly used in wiring and components

• Mechanical Strength: polymers, ceramics and composites provide durability in harsh environments

• Component Efficiency: low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) capacitors and low DC Resistance (DCR) inductors help minimise power losses

• Semiconductor Materials: silicon remains dominant but alternatives like Silicon Carbide (SiC) are gaining traction for high-voltage applications

This is a crucial step in product development, allowing engineers to test form, fit and function before moving to full-scale production. It helps refine designs, validate concepts and ensure manufacturability. Some common mechanical prototyping methods that we use include:

• 3D Printing: fast and cost-effective for early-stage design verification

• CNC Machining: high-precision prototyping for rugged and functional parts

• Vacuum Casting: ideal for short-run batch testing with realistic material properties

• Sheet Metal Fabrication: used for enclosures and structural components

• Injection Moulding: suitable for high-fidelity prototypes that mimic final production

TechPoint’s NPI services help businesses bring new electronic products to market efficiently by streamlining design, prototyping, testing and manufacturing. Our comprehensive NPI solutions include:

• Engineering Samples & Prototyping: early-stage validation to refine designs

• First Article Inspection (FAI): ensuring initial production meets quality standards

• Design for Manufacture (DFM) & Design for Test (DFT): optimising designs for efficient production and testing

• Supply Chain Qualification: managing component sourcing and risk assessment

• EMC Qualification Assistance: ensuring compliance with electromagnetic compatibility standards

This is a critical process that ensures a product meets its intended specifications and functions correctly before volume production. It involves rigorous testing and validation to identify design flaws early, reducing costly errors and improving reliability. Some key aspects of our service include:

• Functional Testing: ensuring the product performs as expected under various conditions

• Design for Manufacturing (DFM): checking whether the design is optimised for efficient production

• Simulation & Prototyping: using digital models and physical prototypes to validate performance

• Compliance Testing: verifying adherence to industry standards and regulations

• Failure Analysis: identifying potential weaknesses and improving durability

• Automated Tools: we use software such as Valor to streamline design verification

TechPoint’s small batch production is ideal for prototyping, niche products and low-volume manufacturing. It offers flexibility, cost efficiency and faster turnaround times compared to mass production. Some key advantages include:

• Rapid Prototyping: allows for quick iterations and design validation

• Cost-Effective Manufacturing: reduces upfront investment and minimises waste

• Design Flexibility: easier to implement modifications before scaling up

• Lower Risk: helps identify potential issues before committing to large-scale production