Prototype

A prototype (Gr. protos, the first ' and typos, archetype, model ') provides in art, a functional for the respective purposes, but often simplified experimental model of a proposed product or component dar. It may only purely external or technically the final match. A prototype is often used as preparation for a series production, but may be planned as a single piece to illustrate only one specific concept. With the prototype, the acceptance on the one hand the capability, on the other hand tested. According to the prototype is also an essential step in the development of designs and is used not only in technical contexts.

Prototyping denotes various modern methods of prototyping.

Properties

In the technical prototypes are differentiated according to level of detail between:

• Design Prototyping: Concept model to examine the aesthetic and ergonomic features
• Geometric prototype: Dimensionally accurate model for initial installation and operating tests and the specification of the (material ) requirement profile
• Has prototype that already crucial functional properties of a later mass-produced device: function prototype
• Technical prototype: With the final product largely identical experimental model

In small series of prototypes (such as pre-production vehicles in the automotive industry ) is also called "Industrial Prototyping ".

Prototypes need not necessarily consist of material objects - a prototype, for example, even a simple implementation of a software (see prototype in software development ) or a three-dimensional CAD model to be. Also services and certain communication actions can be tested in prototype form, eg as part of a service design project.

A prototype in the automotive industry, which is used for secret testing is called Erlkönig. This already has all the essential features of future production vehicle. It is usually changed by covers and panels, so the exact appearance is not prematurely publicly.

In order to differentiate between research and development activities are deferred particularly with regard to support measures of functional models and prototypes testing platforms in a scientific environment. Under a prototype will be doing a close- unit understood that the final product is already largely similar in form, shape, operation and production. A functional model is only used to conduct the experiments and to test individual functions to the configured serial device. A testbed borders are still highly dependent on the configured serial device. The design, construction and performance of the experiment in conjunction with functional prototypes and testing platforms are often seen as a research activity.

Method

As in the production of prototypes not yet ( with all associated process steps) are the efficient production possibilities of mass production and market introduction, these are often considerably more expensive than the later production models. For rapid and inexpensive production of physical prototypes modern methods are available that make the entire product development process more efficient:

• Rapid prototyping and manufacturing processes
• Virtual prototyping and digital prototyping as a computer- based simulation
• Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP ) as a design method for the regulation and control development