subject: What Exactly Is Prototype Production? [print this page] Before you can understand what goes into prototype production you need to have a good understanding of what a prototype is. A prototype is the original example of what a product will look like once complete. The example, or model, is created to look just like the item that will be produced for use once the kinks are worked out. It is a simple design that allows the engineers to tweak in order to come up with the best final product.
Many fields struggle with how a product will function once it is in its final form or if they will have problems with it functioning properly. Instead of producing a large numbers of items before they see how effective it will be, they create a prototype. The prototype will be tested to make sure that it will function in the way it was intended and that it is functional for the purpose it was designed for.
Some developers will use the prototype to determine how much interest there is in the product amongst consumers. When a new product is thought up, a developer may create the prototype and show it to the public to get feedback. They can use the responses from the public to make adjustments in the design or functionality of the product so that they will have a more successful product.
When they alter the original protocol and they are closer to having it submitted for live distribution they will have made alterations to the overall design. As the designers and engineers evaluate the prototypes, both the original and those that come after, they are able to foresee any problems that may come in the design and change it prior to releasing it to the public to get their opinion.
When a prototype is created it is typically assigned an identifier so that they do not get confused with future alterations. The first prototype is usually referred to as the alpha prototype. The expectations that come with the alpha prototype are that there are sure to be changes made to improve it. The identifiers that are assigned to the future prototypes are usually the Beta Version, The Gamma Version, and on. As a new prototype is developed it is expected that the new prototype would be even closer to completion.
Several things must be incorporated when an engineer is designing a production prototype. Prototypes that are created for industrial use, for example, may require that materials are used that are similar and less expensive than the actual materials that will be used in the final product. Using expensive materials in a prototype is not cost effective because you will likely be making changes to the design.
Sometimes it takes a great deal of money in processes to make the final product. As a prototype is created, engineers make use of processes that are similar to the necessary procedures for final production but will be much less expensive. The fine details that make a product visually stimulating are also not included in the prototype in most cases either. This, again, is to save cost in creating a prototype that will likely be revised.
Using a prototype to tweak a product so that it is marketable and successful in its function is a great idea and there are many benefits to be realized. This cost effective way to make alterations can lead to a very successful outcome for the product it is being created to mimic.
