The key component in prototyping any product is the development process that is followed for it and it is also much more than just that. It is also necessary to help the product meet its full potential, it is intended to make the product push forward and improve it for better results. The whole idea behind calling the manufacturing process prototyping is to gain greater insight into your product and to manufacture it in the best possible way. And if not this then it’ll just be another box that’ll be ticked off at the leverage of your time and energy with zero profit in return.
Here are a few tips you can follow to come out with a successful prototype of your product.
1) Make sure you know what exactly you need. No product or no developer has similar requirements from their designs, and they all need to meet different ends. There are different questions that need answers and different set of problems that are to be faced. And it is not necessary that the same would apply to you. If your goals and requirements are clearly defined and understood, your product is going to be an automatic success.
2) Each of your prototype or iteration should have a specific goal. In a lot of cases, it becomes difficult for a prototype to do a lot of things at a time. It could be because of anything, cost, logistics, development of the product, pitching process etc. the necessity is for several iterations that are required. It is best to get hardcore granular in such situations. Say for example you like rapid prototyping, it is best to make sure that your end product then is more aesthetically rich to your investors or your consumers. And if it is mechanical try to make your product mechanically sound and dimensionally convincing.
3) The best way to outshine your prototyping work is to provide value in your product and making the use as easy as possible. You can also offer expertise and valuable experience to it. You can also consult with providers who are a pro I both prototyping and production to help you with issues like what material to use, manufacturing disabilities if any, how to take the product from first to final stage successfully etc.
4) Know exactly what the limit of your prototype is. It is very important to know what your entire product cannot do, as much as it is important to know what it can. There are some prototypes that are good at functional support and then there are some that are good at rapid prototyping or cosmetic testing. Get you clarity beforehand.
5) Be through with the properties of the material that you are using in the prototypes. That is the key factor of your prototype. There could be a lot of difference in materials like strength, flexibility, temperature, durability, resistance etc. among a lot of other factors. You should keep all these in mind while you are making a choice over your material for the prototype.
6) Don’t accept your final prototype in a hassle. Even if it is close enough and not accurate, work further on it and make it on point. Take benefit from this process and think of ways by which you can improve it in a physical form of design or production.
7) Don’t blow your budget out of proportion. Stick to what you had planned. Remember that it is just the prototype, not your final product. You can choose to do rapid prototyping, they are far more pocket-friendly than other processes and a lot of experienced production exerts can guide you through the process.
No matter what process provider you have picked for yourself, it is very important to make the right choice and that is going to help you in further contributing towards successfully reaching the final product.