The Product Development Process - Step 5 - Prototypes

This is a series of short articles as an overview and a simple guide, for how new products come to market.This article is Step 5, for Prototype Creation in theThe Product Development Process.

Step 5 - The Purpose of Prototypes

Prototypes

Prototyping is part of theDesign Verificationphase of Product Development, because it demonstrates or proves the design.  Of course, there are different "types" or reasons for prototypes (which we will get into below), but you can think of a Prototype as taking a design from the virtual, imaginary realm into the physical world.

This Design Verification can happen many times through the process.  It might start with bailing wire and duct tape to verify the first ideas.We may prototype again later, in a different way, to work with it on a different level.

Why Prototype?

Of course there are lots of reasons we want to touch and feel and try our new widget, and a prototype is the way to do that.  But, there are also some specific reasons to prototype.  Some of the most common are:

• Display or show the new product - for a trade show, or for investors.
• Test an idea to see if it really works.
• Test the design to see if it passes certain requirements.
• Use it to evaluate where improvements are necessary.
• Get customer feedback.

Prototypes typically fit in these three categories (or combination of categories):  1.Looks Like;  2.Acts Like;  3.Concepts to Test (Proof of Principle).  You can think of these as Form and/or Function.  Basically, there are prototypes that look and feel complete (but may not actually function)!then prototypes that function properly (though just cobbled together).  And, prototypes for testing just a portion of the whole concept.  Of course, there are the combination versions that bothLookright andFunctioncorrectly.  Those are usually the finals.

The purpose with all of these is to learn.

With the concepts of "Functional" and "Display" (form) types in mind, there are many levels of Prototypes:

• Some are simple duct-tape and bailing wire prototypes to visualize or test how something may work;
• Then there is clay or paper mache to show roughly what it might look like;
• Still others are functional representations that work, but may not look so good or be as strong as needed for the final product;
• 3D printedprototypes can look great and may also function, but often not at full capacity;
• Some are high polish, fragile representations for show and tell;
• And some are complete representations of the final product.  (Both form and function.)

And, there are many more.  All of these reach to a specific goal.  So, whatever reasons for building one, choose a prototype (and a prototyping process) to fit the purpose.  Let your project or needed tests determine which is right - especially since prototyping often comes with a significant cost.

For more on this topic with examples, please see "Why Do We Make Prototypes?"

Prototyping Methods

Traditional prototyping methods include mock-ups (clay, wood or other), fabrication, and of course, the infamous "bailing wire and duct tape".  More modern methods include CNC and rapid prototyping (like 3D Printing, SLA, SLS and many more).Mock-upsare typically early in the design for visualization, feel, and to allow adjustments or fiddling with shape and size.Fabricatedprototypes are typically functional versions that may or may not look like the final product but give the opportunity to test function, improve action, or prove that something works (or doesn't).

The prototyping method is often a hard question, likeMachining or 3D Printing?But don't forget the older, shall I say more traditional methods.

CNC is a modern method (that is also old) because the advances in CNC work continue to improve.  Most people think about CNC with respect to metal parts, but plastic is common too.  The big advantage of CNC is structural integrity of the parts.  If you need to test strength or deflection situations, CNC may be the best option.  Also, CNC is a great choice to combine with fabrication (glueing, welding, etc.), and other methods.  Not everything must be CNC'd perfect.

The term "Rapid Prototyping" encompasses a large group of technologies that create 3D physical parts directly from CAD models on the computer.  3D Printing is becoming very popular because of the speed and accuracy available.  These can be done in almost any shape and can be finished to look exactly like a production part, though usually they are much more fragile.

A whole host of service bureaus have sprung up to meet this need.3D printingin many forms is popular with ever expanding materials and technologies.  And, availability is also expanding with Makerspaces, Schools, and Libraries making the tech easily available.  For more information, a quick web search will usually yield an overload of information.

Regardless of the method, prototypes are tools:  for learning,for experimenting, for visualization and for design improvement.  Think of them this way, and it will mean more.

When To Prototype

Before diving into the prototyping phase, there are few questions to ask:

• Is a prototype desirable or necessary?
• Does the need for design verification justify it?
• Is testing needed for design improvement?
• Does the design reflect the best knowledge before prototyping?
• What kind of prototype will fill the needs best?
• And, perhaps most important, what will the prototype accomplish?

Depending on the product, a prototype may or may not be necessary - or perhaps more importantly, it may be that only portions of the design need prototyping.  This does not to say they are not important.  It is only to emphasize that prototyping is costly in both time and money so the desire to make one is worth evaluating.

Examples from Industry

In many industries the products are quite complex and require several iterations of design, prototyping and testing.  The auto industry, for instance, uses several variations of prototypes to evaluate the design and to find areas of improvement.  In the case of automobiles, the complexity of the design, the quantities sold, and the amount learned in testing from each version easily justify the time and cost.  Another key example from automotive is the amount of testing that happens at the component level.  They don't test the complete new car until all the major subsystems are each proven.

Production Quotes

A process to run in parallel with prototyping isProduction Quotation.  This is where manufacturer input is requested - both for cost to produce as well as for ways the product can be made cheaper, easier, lighter, faster, stronger and better.  This is especially valuable if the design is in iteration, and that can influence your needs in prototyping.  Use the prototypes to work with manufacturers for the best possible input and prices.

In practice, most products require at least one prototyping phase.  Typically, the flow is from the design phase to prototype and testing then back to design for (hopefully) minor changes before going to production.  The final design phase is much better when it includes information from the production quotation process.

Concluding Thoughts ...

Really, the Design, Prototyping and Testing steps of the Product Development Process can blur together as one with learning and insight coming from all these tools.  One process feeds the next as iteration perfects the design.  Choosing your prototypes - both the type and the timing - carefully can truly augment the whole product development process.  Remember, the purpose of prototypes all boils down to learning.

The final stages of both design and prototyping (especially the final stages) are most effective when they include input from manufacturing.  (Though it is really dangerous to wait until the end to get manufacturing input.)

Whatever the product, if it is to be sold, it will need to be produced, and that involves the next step of manufacturing.  Our experience has taught that involving possible manufacturers early in the design & engineering phase and especially through the prototyping phase(s) makes the transition from design to production much easier, faster and smoother.  I suppose many people don't think about using prototypes this way, but it is really a powerful tool - and it is almost free if you use a prototype that has already filled its need in testing or display.

Next Up:Step 6  -  Production Details and Production