Process of product development varies in different industries but usually includes 8 steps.
- Establish Product Specifications.
- Specifications shall come from two resources: Customers and Industry Regulations. The design team shall establish specifications to meet both customers’ expectations and requirements from a specific industry.
- Research and Concept Design
- With clarified product specifications, engineers then create a concept design with necessary calculations, material selections, and manufacturing methods proposals.
- Detail Engineering Design
- After confirming the concept design, detail engineering shall start. All parts shall be modeled with machinable features; assembly drawing with a bill of material shall be prepared; all material specifications and coating information shall be decided during the design.
- Design Confirmation
- The design shall be checked against product specifications to make sure both customer and industry requirements have been met. If third-party certification is required, a design package shall be prepared and submitted.
- Release Manufacturing Document and Validation/FAT procedures.
- After Design Confirmation, the manufacturing drawing and test procedure shall be released and sent to the machine shop and assembly shop. Engineers shall make sure all manufacturing personnel understand the task they receive.
- Prototype and validation test with customer and third part witness
- The first product is a prototype and will need a validation test. A validation test is stricter than a FAT, sometimes it requires destructive test. For validation test, the product shall be taken apart and all components shall be inspected. Customers and third parties usually will participate in the validation test and inspection.
- Production and FAT
- A successful validation test proves a successful product design. Mass production can be started and standard FAT shall be used for quality control.
- Product delivery
- After FAT, a final factory inspection is required to guarantee defective-free products. Then preservation and packing for shipping will be used to ensure products are free from damage during transportation.
