Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a physical part or assembly from a three-dimensional design
. It is an agile strategy employed throughout the product development process, allowing engineers and designers to create better final products by iterating several times between digital designs and physical prototypes
. The main benefits of rapid prototyping include:
- Faster product development : Rapid prototyping enables the creation of product simulations for testing and validation during the product development process, with multiple iterations generated during a short period based on user feedback and analysis
- Cost and time savings : By identifying and fixing design flaws early in the process, companies can avoid costly design revisions and tooling
. The speed at which the initial prototype can be produced, the gathering of feedback, and the synthesis of subsequent iterations allow for significant time savings
- Accurate assessment of user experience : Rapid prototyping allows designers and developers to provide an accurate idea of how the finished product will look and function, ensuring that the final product meets expectations
- Reduced risk of usability and manufacturability issues : Thoroughly testing prototypes that look and perform like final products helps reduce the risks of usability and manufacturability issues before moving into production
Rapid prototyping techniques include low-fi and high-fi methods, such as sketches, wireframes, and detailed prototypes
. Tools like 3D printers and additive manufacturing methods, such as stereolithography (SLA), are used to create these prototypes
. The rapid prototyping process allows for quick and frequent revisions of designs based on real-world testing and feedback, making it an invaluable time-saver and disaster-avoider for product teams
