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As an industrial product designer, do you know why you make prototypes? What is the role of the prototype

Picture1:Aluminum alloy gearbox prototype

Picture1:ABS CNC machining prototype

Many engineers who do industrial design don't know what a prototype is, what is its function, and how does it do it? After designing the product and building the 3D drawing, the mold is made directly. After the mold is out of the injection product, it is found that the size is problematic, the structure is interfered, the market demand is not high, and various test experiments fail to pass, etc.

Prototype is to make one or several sets of prototypes to confirm the structure, size and appearance before making the mold, and then make the mold after confirming that it is correct. In the past, the model was made by hand engraving when there was no CNC machine tool or 3D printing, so it was referred to as "hand plate" for short. Some people call it "first board", which means making a prototype for the first time. The following editor will explain to you the function of the prototype.

1.Verify, improve and innovate the appearance and structural design of the product.

Make a prototype before opening the mold. After you get the prototype, you are not satisfied with the appearance of the product. You can make timely adjustments and improvements until you are satisfied. There is interference in the assembly of the structure, interference with the PCB board or other accessories, you can adjust and improve in time, and then make the mold when you are satisfied.

2. Shorten the development cycle of product projects.

Before each project goes public, a series of work such as market research, financing or crowdfunding, and production activity plan must be done before it can be mass-produced and listed. If the molds are directly produced for mass production, there is no sales in the market, or the funds are insufficient or even the funds for mass production of the molds are not available, sample financing or crowdfunding is needed. After making a prototype to get market research or financing, the project will proceed smoothly.

2.Quickly occupy the market.

The mold-opening production cycle is long, and the prototype can be made in 2-3 days. After getting the sample in a short time, you can apply for patent and trademark registration, and confirm the sample order to various distributors or customers.

4. Prototypes can be used to replace small orders.

For some projects, the customer demand is small, the quantity is 30-200pcs. The cost of mold opening is high and the cycle is long. Customers can’t accept it, so they use the prototype quick silica gel mold process to make a variety of plastic material products, which not only saves the cost but also makes it. The cycle is also fast.

The prototype is also called "rapid prototyping", which means rapid production and prototyping, shortening product development and production. The main function of making prototypes is introduced so much. The follow-up editor will introduce you to quickly estimate the production of silica gel molds. Prototypes and rapid silicone molds are to reduce production costs. It is possible to know the structure and appearance of the product as well as the market demand as soon as possible. Prepare for listing, saving production costs.