A functional prototype works like, and often looks like, a final production product.
APPEARANCE AND FUNCTION OF YOUR PRODUCTION PRODUCT
A functional prototype is the 3D realization of your design. This is the model that tells the whole story of the journey in developing your product. All of the iterations to refine the design with proof of concept and engineering prototypes culminate with this functional prototype. Production materials and finishes are used wherever possible. This prototype not only looks like final production; it performs like it.
UTILIZING OUR FULL CAPABILITIES TO SIMULATE PRODUCTION
To develop a functional prototype, we use an array of tools and processes. We can CNC machine fine details to simulate production using your CAD data, or we can generate the CAD data for you. With this process, the prototype can be created from aluminum, steel, brass, tooling board, or plastics such as ABS, acrylic, and delrin.
If your functional prototype has injection molded details, we can create those parts without the cost of expensive tooling. Our shop creates master parts in-house by machining, building with SLAs or on an Eden 500V Objet machine. The casting lab is equipped for silicone tooling by vacuum casting, overmolding or rotomolding. The resin materials used to cast parts can have properties to create impact strength, flexibility or even crystal clear parts.
PAINTING AND GRAPHICS COMPLETE THE REALISM
Once the parts are created, painting and finishing makes the prototype look like a production piece. A functional prototype shows your clients and management team the function and finish of your final product, making it a true representation of the end goal.
