ABSTRACT
Often, the quickest way to realize a physical prototype is to build the prototype using off-the-
shelf components. Most prototyping projects will require acquiring components to make a
prototype, and in fact, the more off-the-shelf components that can be purchased and used, the
quicker the prototype can be realized. However, many engineers do not have the knowledge
to systematically proceed with component acquisition. This chapter will present a procedure
for prototyping a system using component catalogs for a portion or all of the components.
The procedure presented for choosing components should also be useful in most engineering
projects. The issues regarding choosing components from a catalog apply to any design
project and can be extremely frustrating and costly. Many engineers have been involved in
many time sensitive projects where the wrong component or material was specified, ordered,
or delivered. Usually, there is some type of fire drill that will occur to order the proper
component=material or find an acceptable substitute. This chapter will define what is needed to solve the problem, and the steps include:
