During the first prototype stage of product development, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for the right sample size. The appropriate sample size depends on various factors, including the objectives of your research, the nature of the prototype, the variability of the measurements, and the constraints of your project such as budget and timeline.
At the prototype stages of product development, especially for electromechanical devices, understanding the safety factor in your design is crucial. The safety factor, often referred to as the Factor of Safety (FoS), is a measure of the load-carrying capacity of a system beyond the expected or actual loads. Essentially, it indicates how much stronger the system is than it usually needs to be under normal conditions. A common approach to validate the safety factor in design, particularly for new and untested devices, is through step-stress accelerated life testing (SSALT). This method involves subjecting the prototype to increasing stress levels until failure occurs, providing insights into the product’s durability and reliability under various conditions. [Read more…]
