Generating an idea is usually the easiest step to take in the development of a new invention. An idea is something that is imagined, not proven or in physical form. Even patents, though protecting the idea and having fleshed out portions of the idea, do not prove that the invention is viable or manufacturable.
Only prototypes of the idea can prove the ability of the invention to perform as imagined. With this said, it is a common goal of inventors to have a prototype made of their invention. The word prototype as defined by Webster's as "an original, full-scale, and usually working model of a new product or new version of an existing product." Although the dictionary's definition is correct on a broad scale, there are in fact many types of prototypes available, and knowing which one fits the inventor's application could possibly save them capital.
Different Types of Prototypes
In the development of a new product, prototypes are made to test functionality, performance, looks and market appeal. Each of these test conditions dictate a different prototype, and depending on the complexity and budget of the inventor, one prototype or several prototypes may be necessary to address each condition. Prototypes can be broken into four major categories: looks-like, works-like, looks-like works-like, and pre-production.
A looks-like prototype is an artistic rendering made by computer or in physical form with no major functioning features. Such prototypes could be a chair made of foam material and painted, or a hand-held electronic device with decals where displays would be. Looks-like prototypes are used to let buyers and focus groups observe the invention in comparison to its environment without spending large amounts of capital to develop functioning systems. Ergonomics can be analyzed, and initial market impact can be established. Looks-like prototypes can also be used to establish guidelines for future development such as weight, materials, interfaces and packaging.
Works-like prototypes are the backbone of product development. These prototypes are often made by combining or modifying existing products. Works-like prototypes verify functionality of the idea without considering manufacturability. They do not look like the final product, and will need to undergo engineering analysis and development to select materials and processes in order to be manufactured; however, they verify the root concept of the invention and can act as a catalyst for future steps. In more complicated inventions, engineers will design and produce works-like prototypes to verify individual systems' performance and function prior to generating a looks-like works-like prototype that exemplifies the total invention.
Works-like looks-like prototypes involve engineering the product for conformation to industry standards and manufacturability. If the product involves electronics, this includes selecting parts that are cost-efficient and are available in mass quantities. A printed circuit board would be designed for mass production. Mechanically speaking, housings, plastics and machined pieces would be designed for ease of manufacture and cost savings. Plastic pieces would undergo molding analysis to establish draft and wall thickness parameters. The final prototype would look, feel and perform like the mass-produced product; however, the processes used to generate the product would not be the same as the mass-produced item.
A pre-production prototype is the first assembled version of the mass- produced product. These prototypes are made from the same molds and assemblers that the mass-produced product will be created from, and therefore are exactly like the final product in every way.
IMET Corporation provides in-house prototyping, development, short run production, full design documentation, and project management solutions to inventors and industry.
