Prototype Design & Testing
The objective of any prototype is to verify the design as presented by the Engineers, and also to validate the overall concept as envisioned by the client. There are six distinct types (we call them Levels) of prototypes and we offer any level of prototype manufacturing. When we supply you our formal estimate we define more what those levels mean to you. We are often asked to prototype a design created by other firms. In order to maintain quality of the design submitted for prototype, we only prototype products which we engineered. This so that the prototype can be evaluated on it’s own merit rather than any fundamental issue with the quality and completeness of an outside design itself.
What Is A Prototype?
From early concept engineering to validation of production tooling, prototypes are used to validate and improve a product. Sometimes a design must be created in a physical object so that the user can experience how it feels and acts, which can’t be done simply on a computer CAD program. A prototype can be a crude home-made mockup to prove a principle. It can also be used during the engineering design phases to test functionality. Prototypes are often used in presentations to potential investors and boardrooms. A project is never done until the final prototype of the full production invention is verified ready for the market.
Many other engineering design firms promote the use of 3D printing to create a prototype. We have found that the lack of quality of a 3D printed prototype can mislead one from true opinions of the engineering itself. We prefer to have our prototypes actually machined so that they more closely represent what the end product may look and feel and function. In most cases we do not recommend 3D printing.
More About Prototypes
For more information on Prototype Design check out Wikipedia here: Wikipedia
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