Prototype Development

Initial Prototype development

The development of a prototype is an iterative process; often times the initial prototype development can be created using standard household materials.  Some useful materials for developing a prototype are, foam, clay, paperclips etc.

The first prototype is essentially a rough draft of the product, at this point you are trying to develop something to look at and touch.  It is a good idea to use a material that can be easily shaped and molded, during this stage of development changing your mind about a design should be as easy as reshaping clay with your hands.  A creative process that can be done during this stage is to allow each member of the design team to create their own prototype using these materials, then all initial prototypes can be compared, and a favorite can be chosen to move forward with, or some combination of them.

Rapid Prototype Development

The prototype will develop into a more refined product as the prototype development process continues, the next step is often a rapid prototype, during this stage of product development you will have a CAD model that resembles your initial prototype, this model can be used to create a rapid prototype.  With each step of prototype development you should be doing tests and trying to work out any issues that will exist before the fully functioning prototype is developed.

Although rapid prototypes are often necessary there are limitations.  Dimensional errors can occur in rapid prototypes due to the inaccuracies of the layer thicknesses, while rapid prototypes can be very accurate in the x and y axes they will often have poor dimensional quality in the z axis.  Depending on which rapid prototyping process you use, stepping can occur on outer layers and more so with specific radii.  With a rapid prototype some shrinkage and distortion will take place leading to a poor finish quality as well.  While a rapid prototype can be very useful in visualizing the final product, especially in display for marketing and presentation needs, it is still often necessary to develop a final prototype.

Final Prototype Development

A final prototype is essential in prototype development, a final prototype whether that be a physical prototype or a virtual prototype created on CAD is extremely helpful to manufacturers in helping understand your design.  A final prototype can allow you to begin marketing and selling the product before production begins, it can allow buyers to hold the product and test its functionality.

It allows you to test the product before actual production begins, a final prototype can be put through rigorous use to ensure that it can withstand the test of time.  It is difficult to truly understand how a product will function based on engineering and drawings alone, a physical prototype can often reveal problems that development teams overlooked during previous design stages.
If you are planning on filing a patent for your product a final prototype will allow you to look over the product and ensure that you include every necessary detail of the design, it can be difficult to create a patent without a physical prototype to review and move through section by section.

After having created a final prototype finding a manufacturer will be much easier, the manufacturers can then look at the prototype and inform you on the best method of manufacturing your prototype.  They can also use your prototype for dimensions incase certain dimensions are not included in drawings.  Also if you were satisfied with the company that developed your final prototype often purchasers will continue to use the same company if they are capable of manufacturing the desired quantities.

Contract Auction is available to help you efficiently build your prototypes all throughout the prototype development process.  Find a manufacturer to help for free today!