Lecture 04

Prototyping in Product Design

RDA 111: Product Design and Development
 A prototype is a preliminary version of the end
product and used to evaluate the design, test
the technology or analyse the working principle
which in turn provides product specification for
a real working system/product.
Prototyping
Prototypes help to create, explore, describe,
test and analyse the item being designed.

A prototype is the first full-scale and functional

form of a new product
Here is a good representation of a
prototype. Wire and electrical
components can be replaced with
ease. This is one of the benefits of
using a bread board.
Smart home devices also have to through good prototyping (image on the right) to ensure
that it would work effectively before making the final product (image on the left).
Prototypes can also be scaled
down. This is usually done when
the final product seems too large
to prototype.

(Line follower)
If a prototype is good, it can be
finished like this.

(A fully functional Industrial line

follower)
Simulation of an airplane model in a
wind turbine using a miniature
airplane.
Simulation of an Formula One
racing car model in a wind turbine
using a life sized model.
You get to cut down on cost when
choosing materials for your
prototype before considering
engineering materials.
Clay is a good material for making
automotive prototypes and
conceptual designs
Another example of an automotive
prototype
Functional design from a
successful prototype.
Fibre composite and wood used
for prototyping
PVC pipes used for prototyping
#F1 #F12021 Future F1 Car First Look | Formula 1's 2021 Car In The Wind Tunnel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vsBPDsAlm0
 Advantages of using Prototype Model :
• The ability to explore and realize concepts more quickly.
This efficiency in time and cost allows teams to move
beyond the mere visualization of a product, making it
Importance of easier to grasp the properties and design of a product.
Prototyping
• Apply repeated designs and incorporate changes that
allow for the evaluation and testing of the product. This
iterative process provides a roadmap to developing and
refining the final product.
 Advantages of using Prototype Model :
• Being able to communicate concepts concisely and
effectively. Rapid prototyping takes ideas, images and
concepts from flat and 2 dimensional visuals to hands-on
Importance of products that clients, colleagues and collaborators can
then see in action.
Prototyping
• The ability to thoroughly test and refine a concept. Being
able to minimize design flaws with a small volume rapid
prototype run helps eliminate costly design flaws that
might not be evident during an early assessment.
 Advantages of using Prototype Model :
• Save time and money since setup and tooling aren’t
Importance of necessary. Because the same equipment can be used to
produce prototypes with different properties and
Prototyping materials, the costs and time outlay are kept to a
minimum.
 Advantages of using Prototype Model :
• Reduced design & development time
• Reduced overall product development cost
Importance of • Elimination or reduction of risk
Prototyping • Allows functionality testing
• Improved and increased user involvement
• Ability to evaluate human factors and ergonomics
 Disadvantages of using Prototype Model :
• Lack of accuracy
Disadvantages • Added initial costs
• Some rapid prototyping processes are still expensive and
of Prototyping not economical
• Material properties like surface finish and strength
cannot be matched
 Disadvantages of using Prototype Model :
• Requires skilled labour
• The range of materials that can be used is limited
Disadvantages • Overlooking some key features because it cannot be
of Prototyping prototyped
• End user confusion, customers mistaking it for the
finished project/developer misunderstanding of user
objectives
 Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used
to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical
part or assembly using three-dimensional
Rapid computer aided design (CAD) data.
Prototyping
Construction of the part or assembly is usually
done using 3D printing or “additive layer
manufacturing”.
 Rapid Prototyping
• Additive manufacturing
• Stereolithography (SLA)
• Selective laser sintering (SLS)
Rapid • Direct metal laser sintering(DMLS)

Prototyping •
•
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
Binder jetting
• Poly jetting

• Other techniques
• CNC Machining Prototyping
• Vacuum casting
• Investment casting
Video Resources on Additive manufacturing:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ad8fY-N
UEUigHpEcSqcfjw8RkcArBegv?usp=sharing
Classwork
Design of a waste
retrieval robot. This is a
good example of Marine
robotics.