Being able to obtain prototype parts quickly to test for component fit and function can help get your product to market faster than your competition. Adjustments in design, materials, size, shape, assembly, colour, manufacturability and strength can be made following the results of your testing and analysis.
Many prototyping processes are available to today's product design teams. Some prototyping processes utilise traditional manufacturing methods to produce prototypes. Other technologies have emerged and have been improved upon over a relatively short period of time. There are dozens of ways prototypes can be made. As prototyping processes continue to evolve, the product designer is constantly trying to determine what process or technology is best for their unique application.
Because prototype models help design teams make better informed decisions by obtaining invaluable data from the performance of, and the reaction to, prototypes, the more data that is gathered at this stage of the product development cycle the better the chances of preventing potential product or manufacturing issues down the road. If a well thought out prototyping strategy is followed, there is a far greater chance that the product will be introduced to the market on time, be accepted, perform reliably and be profitable.
The purpose of the Prototyping Processes white paper from Proto Labs is to explore the advantages and shortcomings of the major prototyping processes available to today's designer. This paper will provide detailed process descriptions and discuss material properties of parts produced by each specific prototyping process. In addition, a helpful decision tree will highlight key questions designers must consider when choosing a prototyping process. Ultimately, the goal of the white paper is to help you select the best prototyping process for your product development process.
Download our Prototyping Processes white paper here.
