Are prototype manufacturing process the same for all projects?

The prototype to the production process is often very confusing. Sure, most inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners already know that they need to make a working prototype before they start churning out products in a manufacturing plant. You have to learn to walk before you can run. 

But what exactly do prototyping and production look like from start to finish? 

There’s a common misconception that the prototype to production process looks the same for every investor and company. But if you research this process online, you’ll find step-by-step guides supposedly designed to take you from prototype to production seamlessly. The problem with many of these timelines is that they’re far too rigid and linear.

The reality is that the prototyping to the production process is fluid and looks slightly different for everyone.

 

The general flow of a 3d prototyping service

Even if you’ve been through this process before with a previous product, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll go through all of the same steps again in exactly the same order. 

With this in mind, here’s what you can generally expect from the prototype to production process: 

1. Create a product idea
2. Create a design drawing
3. 3D modeling
4. Make a prototype
5. Test the prototype
6. Decide on the production quantity – For the mold design and materials to use.
7. Signing manufacturing contract
8. Product manufacturing – Quality & control testing
9. Assemble and ship

It’s important to go through this process thoughtfully and with reasonable expectations. However, that doesn’t mean you should get stuck in the prototype to the production process for months on end. There are a number of steps you can take to optimize and speed up this process without affecting the quality of your product. 

 

Fabrication of prototypes with 3D2GO

Product prototype development occurs throughout the product design process, both in early stages to validate the form, fit, and function of the design, and at later stages to verify that the design details have met technical and business objectives. Product prototypes give the client, as well as Voice of Customer research participants, a hands-on product experience that digital modeling and simulation can’t replicate.

At 3D2GO, we pride ourselves on creating a final product prototype that is so detailed, most consumers wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the prototype they’re holding and the final product in the market. Throughout the design and development process of a product, various levels of detail and fidelity of a prototype takes place.

Get in touch with us by sending us files in .obj or .stil format in our email address management@my3d.com.ph.  You can also reach us through our Facebook and Instagram pages today!