Globally, millions of products are produced using different techniques. There are many stages to production, and in modern procedures, prototyping is an integral stage. This is visible in the rise of rapid prototyping companies, as many businesses/companies now use them for effective and efficient product development.
Prototyping allows businesses to detect problems in the quality, function, and structure of their proposed product. Therefore, it is important to know how to develop your product prototype. This article will show you how to develop your product prototypes, its importance, and the necessary steps you need to take.
Why You a Prototype for Your Product
Prototyping is an important manufacturing stage which ensures that the use of rapid prototyping companies such as RapidDirect is on the rise. Why do you need a prototype? Below are a few reasons why you should consider them.
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It Allows You to Test for Functionality and Performance
Although it depends on the prototype you use, a prototype allows you to test the functionality and performance of the intended product. Being a miniature version of the product, it becomes easy to carry out tests that will assess its function before proper production starts.
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It Reduces Risk
Having a prototype will help you detect flaws occurring during production. Finding flaws is important before real production as it reduces the risk of having the wrong product attributes after production.
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Communicate and Get Market Feedback
A prototype will allow you to pitch your idea to your business partners, colleagues, and the market at large. Your partners and market will be shown real-life objects instead of graphical and uninteresting designs. By doing so, you will be able to easily get market feedback on what to improve. Improvement can be based on the aesthetics, structure, or function of the intended product.
Key Considerations from Design to Prototype
In order to efficiently develop a prototype, you need to consider several things. Below are the important things that are of key consideration before and during prototyping:
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Types of Prototypes
There are three types of prototypes you could develop for your product. Each one has its own unique functions and properties. Below are the three types of prototypes.
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“Looks-Like” Prototypes
These prototypes look like real products. However, they do not function like the real ones. They are only important for their structure/aesthetic design. An example is when you prototype a mobile device case without the electronic parts inside.
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“Works-Like” Prototypes
Unlike the looks-like prototypes, work-like prototypes can function as the final product, although they do not look like the final product.
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“Looks-Like, Works-Like” Prototypes
These prototypes are the most impressive and expensive of the three. The other rapid prototyping companies can easily make the prototypes. However, here, since the prototype looks like and functions as the final product, most businesses only make one. Although with rapid prototyping, it becomes very easy and you can make many. Looks-Like, Works-Like” prototypes are the ideal ones for getting market feedback.
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Materials Choosing
The materials you use for prototyping determine the prototyping process to use, cost of prototyping, etc. Most prototypes are made using plastics as they are easy to fabricate using CNC machining, 3D printing, or injection molding. Metal prototypes are also possible. However, they are not common.
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Cost Control
Cost is also another important factor to consider in prototyping. It depends on the type of materials you choose, the types of prototypes, and the rapid prototyping company you are using. While important, you should not use the cost of production to undermine the value a prototyping company can deliver.
Prototyping Process: How to Choose?
There are many rapid prototyping processes you could use to develop your product and its prototype. The three most common ones are CNC Machining, 3D Printing, and Injection Molding. Choosing any of the three depends on many factors. Below are the important ones to consider.
- Mass Production
In mass production, injection molding is the most suitable prototyping process as you can make a mold that will function in creating as many prototypes as you like. The prototyping process is even more suitable for looking like a prototype as this needs constant processes for validation.
- Materials
The types of materials you are using also play a role in the prototyping process. Plastics are the most common, and they are compatible with the three processes. Metals are not used majorly, and when used, CNC machining is the ideal method.
- Precision
Of the three prototyping processes, CNC machining is the most accurate and precise. This makes it an important method to make any of the three types of prototypes.
- Production Efficiency
All the rapid prototyping processes are production efficient. However, 3D printing/additive manufacturing is the most production-efficient photocopying process. It is also the most suitable for prototyping products with complex designs.
How to Start Prototyping and Choosing the right Rapid Prototyping Companies
You already know the importance of prototyping and key considerations to note. Below are the important steps to take in order to prototype your products.
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Step 1: Get Your Product Design
If you do not have a product design already, this is the right place to start. However, if you do, you can move to the next step. You can get your product design by analyzing products that look similar to yours and drawing what your potential product will look like.
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Step 2: Develop a 3D/2D CAD Design
Get a professional, well-versed in CAD design to help you develop a CAD design for your product. Most people try to develop a CAD file on their own. However, it is important to hire a professional because CAD designs are much more detailed and must be accurate enough to remove flaws during prototyping and production.
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Step 3: Hire a Rapid Prototyping Company
Surf through the internet, get reviews and check websites on the best rapid prototyping companies available and the right one for you. Important factors to consider when choosing a prototyping company are capability, quality delivered, and lead time as this separates the best companies from the rest. Most people use price. However, it is wrong to compromise quality for the price.
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Step 4: Get an RFQ
Relying on the development of the internet, many online rapid prototyping companies use a “Online CNC Quote” mode for the prototyping process. Here, you will submit your CAD design online, and the system will generate your quotation based on the design. Depending on the rapid prototyping company you are using, there are also other processes that occur. For example, Design for Manufacturing can occur during the uploading of CAD files and shows whether the product is prototype-able.
Conclusion
Developing your product prototype might look challenging. However, the steps involved are very simple. Prototyping is an important part of product development as it allows inventors, designers, etc., to assess the quality, function, and structure of the product. This article introduced the importance of prototyping, key considerations to note, and how to develop your product prototype.
