Balancing product simulation with functional prototyping

Whenever new tools, technologies, processes and techniques come along (like, for example, 3D printing) things can go one of two ways.

Sometimes the new things are viewed with skepticism and/or fear and take a while to gain wider acceptance and adoption. This reluctance to ‘rock the boat’ and move away from processes that already work well into what are essentially untested areas can sometimes mean that a perfectly useful tool is ignored and advantages are missed.

In contrast, certain new tools and processes can bring excitement which can result in rapid adoption. Accordingly, fast take-up can then result in the use of new tools to the exclusion of the existing ones, at the expense of the advantages of tried and tested methodologies.

Take simulation for example.

Your new product design is off the drawing board and the development process is underway. You’re not yet ready to proceed to manufacture, so you’re still technically in the design stages.

It’s time to start testing some of the physical properties of your design. Do you go down the simulation route or develop a physical, functional prototype?

There are a host of digital simulation tools available today for testing product concepts in development. Simulation is a powerful tool born of huge developments in computing power and is a fast and accessible way of testing products under most conditions.

OK so far.

However, simulation cannot and should not be used in isolation to replace physical testing, as the consequences could be catastrophic.

It’s about balance.

Simulation can reduce the number of physical tests that are needed, and can help product design and development teams arrive at their optimum solution faster and more economically than the traditional cycle of ‘make and break’ process.

But it cannot be used in isolation.

Whether its simulation tools, 3D printing, or any other product development tool, understanding how to integrate and balance them for product development is key to success in product design and development.

Have you arrived at the point in your product design process where you need prototype models or parts for physical testing of specific properties?

Feel free to ask Prototype Projects about how best to test – and about which prototyping services and materials can support your requirements. Call us on 01763 249760.