What should I know about the development of prototypes?

The development of prototypes is to create the first work model of the new product or invention. Before creating a prototype, the designer must create detailed product specifications. This document must provide the exact type of material that the prototype will perform and drawings with measurement from all angles. In most cases, the design process, prototype design and testing are repeated several times. Each time, the design is improved, with added or removed items to create a final work model. This cycle is the only method for refining the original design and creating a fully functioning product.

In order to follow the development of prototypes, the naming strategy is used. Some designers use Greek letters such as Alpha, Beta and Gamma, represent the first, second and third versions. Others use a combination of letters and numbers or use a sequence of decimal number to resolve the version level.

prototype specialists someone who has expertise in production, testing and engineering. HimICH task is to cooperate with designers to create a work model of the proposed product in the most effective method. They are also responsible for ensuring that the final product can be produced in a cost -effective manner and determines the actual cost of production per unit. These values ​​are then used by steering to determine the feasibility of the product for production and sale.

Four basic types of prototype development are used: evidence of principle, form study, visual prototype and functional prototype. The design can go through all these categories or just one before creating. The value of each of these phases is the ability to critically evaluate, analyze and reuse this knowledge on the original design and improve it at every stage.

Evidence of the principle or breadoard is a purely functional model. The purpose is to test part of the proposal and see if it will work, as expected. They are not added to this modelLattle colors or finishes. The concepts commonly tested at this stage are the range of movement, sensors, product architecture and mechanics. If the item cannot go through this phase, further development is required.

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Form Study model uses designers to focus on the visual appearance and usability of the product. This may include its ergonomic design, appearance and feeling. The model itself is free of color, surface or texture, but is faithful to shape and overall design.

The visual model is designed to review the real color scheme, surface texture, feeling of material and other design elements. These types of models are used for market research, review by managers and packaging costs. Color, material selection and other visual details have a direct impact on success or failure of any project.

Functional model or working prototype is the latest version and is designed to create a final, fully functional model of the end product. Product scale can be smaller and used materialThe LY may change, but a functional prototype includes the final appearance, the feeling and functionality of the final product. This prototype development phase has created a final version that allows engineers to ensure that the product works as expected.