Product development process
From product challenges to manufacturable solutions
De Faberiek uses a phased development process to transform ideas and technical challenges into tested, manufacturable products.
Each phase addresses different questions and ends with clear deliverables. This helps identify risks early, control development costs and create a solid basis for the next decision.
Projects can enter at any stage. You may need help exploring a new opportunity, improving an existing design, developing a functional prototype or preparing a product for manufacturing.
01
Explore & Define
Establish what the product needs to achieve
The project begins by exploring the intended use, users, market, and technical context. Existing ideas and reference products are reviewed, while the main development questions and risks are identified.
Requirements are captured in a Product Requirements Document (PRD). Initial directions are explored through sketches and, where useful, quick mock-ups or proof-of-principle tests.
Typical deliverables
Product Requirements Document
Analysis of opportunities, constraints, and risks
Initial concept sketches and mock-ups
02
Concept Development
Turn promising ideas into tangible concepts
Solutions for key technical, user experience, and manufacturing challenges are developed at the subsystem level and combined into integrated conceptual directions. Draft CAD models and physical prototypes are used to define and test the product’s architecture, dimensions and interactions. Product renders show the design intent and can support internal decision-making and presentations.
Typical deliverables
Draft 3D CAD models
Functional prototypes (works-like)
Product renders and recommendations
03
Engineering & Validation
Develop and test the selected concept
The selected concept is developed into a detailed product design. The mechanical architecture, component integration, materials, assembly and product behaviour are defined and improved through iterative prototyping and testing.
Colour, Material and Finish (CMF) choices are developed alongside the engineering. Potential suppliers may also be involved to assess manufacturing options, provide preliminary feedback and quotations, and help reduce production risks.
Typical deliverables
Detailed 3D CAD assembly
Functional and appearance prototypes
Preliminary Bill of Materials (BOM) and cost estimates
04
Design for Manufacturing
Prepare the design for production
A functional prototype is not automatically ready for manufacturing. During Design for Manufacturing, the product is refined for the selected materials and production processes.
Details such as wall thicknesses, draft angles, radii, tolerances, fastening methods and assembly sequences are defined. Supplier feedback and pre-production samples are reviewed and incorporated into the final design.
Typical deliverables
Production-ready 3D CAD files
Manufacturing drawings and specifications
Pre-production prototype
05
Industrialisation & Production Support
Bridge the gap between design and manufactured product
During industrialisation, De Faberiek supports the transition into tooling and production. This can include supplier communication, tooling reviews, sample evaluation and design adjustments.
First production samples are checked for appearance, fit, function and assembly. Where required, assembly instructions and quality-control criteria are documented to help achieve consistent production quality.
Typical activities
Supplier coordination
Tooling and production-sample reviews
Assembly, quality-control and production support
Product feasibility scan
A review for clients that want to evaluate a concept before committing to a larger product development programme.
The concept and available documentation are reviewed to identify the main technical, user-experience, and manufacturing challenges. The scan includes a high-level assessment of the product architecture, potential simplifications, indicative development and manufacturing cost ranges, and a practical route towards a functional prototype.
The result is a risk, findings, and recommendations document that clarifies the concept’s feasibility and path forward.
Discuss the right next step
Projects can enter at any stage. Let’s discuss your idea or product challenge and determine the most effective next step.