Give Your Product a Vital Health Check: Prototype

A prototype can mould a design in many more ways than one. Even the simplest of mock-ups can provide crucial feedback on how well the design concept will transfer to reality, enabling changes to be made at a time when it is easy to do so and saving on costly errors in the long term.

Rapid prototyping can be used to refine evolving ideas and at IDC Models we use a range of tailored techniques to do so. The time, effort and money invested at the concept stage can easily be wasted if a product is manufactured only to find it has the wrong shape, feel or function. Demonstrating and communicating the look and feel of a product is just part of it. A prototype can test a product’s principle functions and performance in its own right, but it also allows testing against competitors to see how it would fare in the real world.

Choosing the right materials for a product can be challenging and mock-ups offer a way to ensure a product behaves in the right way and meets certain standards. It also provides an opportunity to verify data and solve any problems pre-production. For those interested in low volume production or testing certain parts of a product, rapid prototypes can be turned around swiftly and cut out the tooling option to make extra savings.There are numerous rapid prototyping techniques equally suited to medium and large volume production too. Handmade models or development rigs are often useful to test principles quickly and effectively. Where CAD data exists, an SLA machine produces high accuracy, durable parts in a matter of hours. For larger parts, CNC machining is useful and allows a greater range of materials including metals and plastics. Vacuum casting can simulate any type of injection moulding material but with much lower tooling costs. Thermoforming, packaging and covers are also all possible. For much higher volumes,

a new in-house injection moulding facility at IDC will give clients many advantages, cutting time and costs in the process.Unlocking the benefits of rapid prototyping is all about maintaining a flexible approach. Different techniques can and should be used at various stages of the design process to troubleshoot and provide solutions, making the most of what’s on offer under one roof.

will give clients many advantages, cutting time and costs in the process.Unlocking the benefits of rapid prototyping is all about maintaining a flexible approach. Different techniques can and should be used at various stages of the design process to troubleshoot and provide solutions, making the most of what’s on offer under one roof.

Six Simple Steps to Remember:

• Always make a prototype before production
• Prototype early in the design process
• Consider the purpose of the prototype. Does it need a wow-factor or is it proving a principle?
• Sometimes two prototypes work best, one visual and one functiona
• lBe prepared to use different prototyping techniques
• Communicate goals and timescales to IDC Models to meet deadlines
• Communicate goals and timescales to IDC Models to meet deadlines