Prototype development involves creating the first working model of a new product or invention, with the process of designing, building, and testing repeated many times to refine the design. A naming strategy is used to track the development, and there are four basic types of prototype development: proof of principle, form study, visual prototype, and functional prototype. The functional prototype is the latest version and creates the final version of the product.
Prototype development is the creation of the first working model of a new product or invention. Before the prototype can be created, the designer must create detailed specifications of the product. This document must provide the exact type of material from which the prototype will be made and drawings complete with measurements from all angles.
In most cases, the process of designing, building a prototype, and testing is repeated many times. Each time, the design is improved, with elements added or removed to create a final working model. This cycle is the only method of refining the original design to create a fully functional product.
To track the development of the prototype, a naming strategy is used. Some designers use Greek letters such as alpha, beta, and gamma to represent first, second, and third versions. Others use a combination of letters and numbers or use a decimal numbering sequence to distinguish the level of versioning.
A prototype specialist is someone with experience in fabrication, testing, and engineering. Their role is to work with designers to create a working model of the proposed product as efficiently as possible. They are also responsible for ensuring that the final product can be cost-effectively mass-produced and for determining actual production costs per unit. These values are then used by management to determine the feasibility of the product for production and sale.
There are four basic types of prototype development: proof of principle, form study, visual prototype, and functional prototype. A design can go through all of these categories or just one before being produced. The value of each of these phases is the ability to critically evaluate, analyze and reapply this knowledge to the original project, improving it at each phase.
The proof of principle model, or breadboard, is a purely functional model. The purpose is to test a part of the design to determine if it will work as expected. No colors or finishes are added to this model. The concepts commonly tested in this phase are: range of motion, sensors, product architecture and mechanics. If an article cannot pass this stage, further development is required.
A form study template is used by designers to focus on the visual and usability of a product. This may include its ergonomic design, look and feel. The model itself lacks color, finish or texture, but is true to the overall shape and design.
A visual model is designed to review the actual color scheme, surface texture, material feel, and other design elements. These types of templates are used for market research, executive review, and costing by packaging companies. Color, material selection, and other visual details have a direct impact on the success or failure of any project.
The functional model or working prototype is the latest version and is designed to create the fully functional final model of the final product. The scale of the product may be smaller and the materials used may change, but the working prototype includes the final look, feel and functionality of the final product. This stage of prototype development created the final version which allows engineers to ensure that the product will perform as intended.
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