During product development process, there are different prototypes in different product development stages. For a designer or engineer, the question is always there what type of prototype is needed and right at the current stage. Why the prototype is used and what is the major purpose of the prototype? Is it for a customer presentation, exhibition display, a simple demonstration or is it for concept test, function test or pre-production test?

This article will help our customers better understand different prototype types and get some idea what prototype to make according to their design and product development stages.

What is Proof of Concept Prototype ( POC) 

A Proof of Concept (POC) is a method used to prove a certain business assumption or a product concept is viable and feasible or not in real life with the use of the available technologies. Therefore, A POC is the very first step in the product or project development and help designers and engineers verifies the question whether an idea can be realized or not.

A POC prototype is a model made from the very first idea with the main purpose to test if the concept can achieve in product development. It is a very great way to test your idea in a short time with little fun. This prototype is normally simple with no too much complex material and structure.

POC prototype is highly recommend for startups who is taking the first step in product development and design companies who have to validate and demonstrate their idea and concepts at the very beginning.

What is Visual Prototype 

Visual prototype, also call appearance prototype, it is a model built from 3D design file to test and demonstrate the final products overall shape, dimension, color and surface.

Visual prototype typically is with simple mechanical structure, and doesn’t include function parts and doesn’t work functionally. From the outlook, the apperance is similar to the final product but the inside structure is simple and solid. So it cannot with assemble with other parts. This prototype is normally made from simple material like foam, plastic or wooden block. 

Visual prototype is normally used to test design concept. Therefore, good appearance, accurate color is specially required but the internal treatment has no special requirement. Visual prototype is mainly used for design graduation presentation, exhibition or customer demonstration, marketing promotion show.

What is Working Prototype 

Working prototype, also called mechanical prototype, It mainly tests the structural rationality of products. It has high requirements for size and relatively low requirements for appearance. It will have features that can be assembled with other parts. After building, prototype can have practical functions with electronics components assembled.

It is very essential in the product development. Working prototype is related to many testing processes, material, temperature, strength, structure, software and hardware test to allow the designers and engineers understand if the product idea is actually work the way they intended to. Because the work prototype can be assembled, it can intuitively reflect the rationality of the structure and the difficulty of assembly It is convenient to find and solve problems as soon as possible.

Working prototype can be movable after assembly and has basic functions, such as car model. It will have wheels, doors, underbody and fame. It is ok to assemble with the other parts. 

Preproduction Prototype (Final Prototype)

Preproduction prototype, we also called it final prototype or production sample. Preproduction prototype mainly tests the final design before committing to production mold and production. It has high requirement on both function and appearance.

It is required to achieve the same appearance, structure and function as the real final product. It can be called the replacement of the final product and can be taken as the finished product that is not on the market yet. It is a kind of prototype with the highest requirements and the greatest difficulty.

Preproduction prototype test can avoid the risk of directly making a mold or tool prior to a final design is approved ok.

Due to high cost of mold making, if the part structure design is found unreasonable or other problems are found in the process of mold making, the loss can be imagined. Final prototype can avoid this kind of risk.