Many products designed for industry, have their beginnings in ideas, plans, and prototypes or models. Some models are cast or injection molded, while others use prototype machining or handcrafted techniques. Prototyping provides many benefits, and here are some of the good things it has to offer.
What is Prototyping?
Prototyping is a manufacturing or fabrication process which creates working models. For example, if someone wants to upgrade a machine part, they may use prototype machining to create just one or two, to see if the new part can do the job. They may subject the part to heat, stress, friction, and things it may face during normal day to day operations. If testing is satisfactory, the part may go into production.
Benefits
Even though you may believe your design is perfect, you cannot tell until you put your ideas to the test. While testing prototypes, you may notice design flaws. It is easier to correct these flaws before the item goes into production.
Preparing for Manufacturing
It can sometimes be hard to determine the costs of production. You also need to know how much time it takes to create each piece. Prototyping can help you understand these issues so you can prepare for production.
Equipment
Are you going to need to upgrade your equipment to manufacture your new product? Maybe you need new machinery. Prototyping helps you determine your equipment needs. For example, your working model may pass all the tests, but if it is too expensive to invest in new machinery, the product may never go into production.
Customer Feedback
Prototype machining can produce high-quality models. You can use them for customer evaluation. This is the best kind of feedback you can receive on a new or improved product. After all, the customer uses the product and must be satisfied with it.
