Page 59 - DESIGN & MODELING

Lesson 1: What is a Prototype?

• Define the term prototype.
• Describe why prototypes are important in ensuring usability.
• Build a prototype.
• Describe several ways of speeding up the prototyping process.

1. What is a prototype?
2. What is the purpose of a prototype?
3. Why build a prototype?
4. When do you build a prototype?
5. How can you design a model to test or get feedback on your solution?
6. How can you use prototyping in your own life?
7. What is an advantage of building a prototype prior to full-scale manufacturing?
8. Why might most engineering companies refrain from releasing a prototype to the general
public?

What is a Prototype?

Prototypes are routinely used as part of the product design process to give engineers and
designers the ability to explore design alternatives, test theories and confirm performance prior to
starting production of a new product. Almost every engineering discipline uses prototypes in
some way, including aerospace, computer, mechanical, civil, environmental and electrical
engineering.

A prototype is a working model of a product that is used for testing before it is manufactured.
Prototypes help designers learn about the manufacturing process of a product, how people will
use the product, and how the product could fail or break. A prototype is not the same thing as a

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