3. Stages of MEMS Product Development

The MEMS field may be rapidly maturing, but there are still few shortcuts through the stages of MEMS product development. Whether you are launching a breakthrough product or a next-generation design of an existing product, your product must go through multiple stages of development to achieve commercialization. This chapter outlines the significance and the challenges of five stages of MEMS product development: proof-of-concept prototype, advanced prototypes, foundry feasibility, foundry pilot production, and foundry production. Understanding why you need these stages, when these stages occur, and what evaluation gates exist between stages can ease your company through the MEMS product development process and, most importantly, ensure you have enough resources to reach your final goal.