A prototype is a physical or digital model built to test a product’s form, fit, function, and manufacturability. Product design relies on prototyping because it exposes flaws early, provides real‑world feedback, validates market interest, and gives investors confidence that the concept can be manufactured at scale.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) - first devised by NASA in the 1970s to gauge technology maturity​ - run from 1 (basic research) to 9 (field‑proven system). We begin every project with a quick TRL check so everyone knows where the idea sits and what proof is still missing.

TRL 1–3 | Concept & Proof‑of‑Principle - We clarify requirements, run feasibility studies, and build early breadboards or appearance models.

TRL 4–6 | Lab & Relevant‑Environment Prototypes - Our in‑house 3D printing, CNC, sheet‑metal, and electronics benches create functional prototypes; design reviews, DFx checks, and regulatory mapping de‑risk the “valley of death.”

TRL 7–9 | Pilot & Operational Builds - We oversee first‑article production, soft tooling, and compliance testing, then tap our manufacturing network to scale.

Because investors, grant agencies, and defence programs all speak the TRL language, aligning to the right level streamlines funding bids and certification milestones.

Our team keeps you fully in the loop with clear TRL targets, evidence packages, and next‑step roadmaps—so your product advances smoothly from idea to market‑ready hardware.

Absolutely. We build sustainable prototypes by weighing end‑use environment, user safety, durability, shelf life, full lifecycle, and regulatory needs, then selecting low‑impact materials and energy‑efficient processes—be that biopolymers, corrosion‑resistant alloys, or optimized machining.

If eco‑friendliness is core to your product, we’ll source the greenest viable options and document their impact.

You stay fully looped in through regular design reviews and iteration checkpoints, ensuring the final prototype meets both performance goals and sustainability commitments.

Yes. Our engineers routinely design for FDA, ISO 9001, FCC, CE, and sector‑specific standards in marine, industrial automation, and defence.

Over the years, we have met the following standards/certifications:

Electronics Standards 

• FCC Part 15
• PTCRB

Marine Classifications & Offshore Standards

• ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas)
• Lloyd’s Register

Safety & Automation Standards

• CSA Z434 – Industrial Robot Safety
• CSA Z432 – Machine Safeguarding
• IEC 61508 – Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic Systems
• ISO 13849 – Safety of Machinery

Structural & Mechanical Standards

• ISO, ASME, and API – Offshore and Marine Structures
• ASME B31.3 – Process Piping
• API 2A-WSD – Offshore Platform Design

Military & Defense Standards (MIL-SPECs)

• MIL-STD-810 – Environmental Engineering Considerations for Military Equipment
• MIL-STD-882 – System Safety
• MIL-STD-461 – Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Control
• MIL-STD-1472 – Human Factors Engineering
• MIL-S-901D – Shock Testing for Shipboard Equipment
• MIL-DTL-31000 – Technical Data Packages
• MIL-STD-167-1A - Mechanical Vibrations
• MIL-STD-461 - Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment

If you are uncertain which regulations may apply to your project, please reach out to our team today.

Match the method to your objective:

Prototype Method Comparison Table

Working with a prototyping firm can help match the method to your goals and timeline.

Prototyping costs vary based on complexity, materials, and fidelity. A basic prototype might cost a few hundred dollars, while a functional, high-fidelity version could range from $5,000 to $50,000+. Factors that affect cost include:

• Type of prototype (form vs. function)
• Material selection
• Custom parts (electronics, PCB, mechanical elements)
• Iteration cycles and testing

Absolutely—and partnering with Enginuity multiplies those advantages. Beyond rapid, North‑American prototyping, we plug you into our deep Canadian ecosystem of:

• VCs & angel investors eager for hardware deals
• Government grants and innovation funds (IRAP, ACOA, NRC, SDTC) we’ve helped clients secure
• Startup accelerators and incubators that fast‑track market entry
• University labs and test centres for specialized validation

We’ve guided dozens of startups and enterprises through funding rounds and SR&ED claims while iterating prototypes in‑house—so you move from concept to capital‑backed, market‑ready product without leaving the country.

We fuse deep cross-disciplinary expertise in electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial design, automation robotics engineering, manufacturing engineering, and safety engineering.. Whether you're solving legacy issues or launching something new, we build solutions that work—technically, commercially, and at scale. Clients choose us because we solve problems others can’t.

In‑house strengths include:

• CAD, simulation, and rapid DFM feedback

• Industrial‑grade 3D printing, CNC, and small‑run fabrication

• Seamless electronics‑mechanical integration

• Manufacturing‑ready design aligned to North‑American supply chains

Once the prototype meets performance targets, we:

• Refine for manufacturability—tighten tolerances, simplify assemblies, lock materials.
• Select production processes—injection molding, die‑casting, CNC, or mixed.
• Source or audit vendors—leveraging our Canadian and global network.
• Run pilot or soft‑tool builds—to validate tooling and quality before full scale.

Our team stays engaged through DFM reviews, pilot runs, and quality gates to ensure a friction‑free hand‑off from prototype to production.