Prototypen, Figures, Molds: Understanding Their Differences and Applications

If you’re new to manufacturing, product development, or collectibles, you’ve probably encountered the terms Prototypen, figures, Und Formen—and maybe wondered how they differ. These three terms represent distinct concepts in manufacturing and design, each serving unique purposes. In diesem Leitfaden, we’ll break down what each one is, how they’re used, and why understanding their differences matters. By the end, you’ll clearly distinguish between these often-confused terms.

What Are Prototypes? The Foundation of Product Development

A Prototyp—sometimes called a “handboard” in industry jargon or a “verification piece” in technical terms—is essentially a physical sample of a product created before full-scale production. Think of it as a test version that helps developers validate their designs before committing to mass manufacturing.

The Critical Role of Prototypes in Product Development

Prototypes act as a safety net for new products. When a product is first designed, creating prototypes serves several essential purposes:

• Entwurfsvalidierung: Checking if the product’s appearance makes sense aesthetically and functionally
• Structural Testing: Verifying that the product’s structure can withstand intended use
• Defect Identification: Finding flaws, Schwächen, or shortcomings in the design
• Iterative Improvement: Allowing designers to make targeted changes until issues are resolved
• Produktionsvorbereitung: Providing the final approval basis before investing in mass production

Skipping the prototyping stage is risky. A flawed design going straight to production could waste significant time, Geld, and resources. Prototypes minimize this risk by enabling teams to test and refine ideas with minimal investment.

Common Types of Prototypes by Material

Prototypes come in various forms, classified primarily by the materials used to create them:

1. Plastic Prototypes

The most common type for consumer products:

• Typische Anwendungen: TVs, monitors, phones, and most electronic device casings
• Key Materials: ABS, PC, Acryl, Pom, und pp
• Advantages: Lower cost, easier machining, and a wide range of material options
• Produktionsmethoden: Often created using CNC machining or 3D printing

2. Silicone Prototypes

Focused on design visualization:

• Typische Anwendungen: Automobilkomponenten, Telefonkoffer, Spielzeug, and daily necessities
• Advantages: Flexibility, good detail reproduction, and relatively low cost
• Einschränkungen: Less suitable for structural or functional testing
• Produktionsmethoden: Created using silicone molds and casting techniques

3. Metal Prototypes

For high-strength applications:

• Typische Anwendungen: Laptop -Rahmen, high-end audio equipment, mechanische Komponenten
• Key Materials: Aluminiumlegierungen (6063, 6061, 7075), Edelstahl (SUS304, 316)
• Advantages: Hohe Stärke, Haltbarkeit, and heat resistance
• Produktionsmethoden: Primarily CNC machined for precision

4. Oil Clay Prototypes

Used for early design exploration:

• Main Purpose: Early-stage appearance design and concept development
• Creation Process: Shaped by hand by clay masters based on designs or reference images
• Current Status: Being replaced by digital methods like 3D modeling in many industries
• Advantages: Allows for quick physical modifications during design brainstorming

How Prototypes Are Made

Prototypes can be created using several methods depending on complexity, Material, and turnaround needs:

• Manual Prototyping: Handcrafted models using basic materials (clay, foam, Holz)
• CNC -Bearbeitung: Computer-controlled cutting of solid material blocks for precision parts
• 3D Druck: Layer-by-layer additive manufacturing for complex geometries
• Silicone Molding: Creating flexible molds to cast multiple prototype copies

What Are Figures? Collectibles and Character Models

While the term “figure” sounds similar to “Prototyp,” they serve entirely different purposes. Figures are primarily collectible items or detailed models created for enjoyment and collection rather than product development.

The Evolution of Figure Definitions

The term “figure” has different meanings depending on context and region:

• Original Definition: Unpainted model kits requiring assembly and finishing by enthusiasts. These are typically made of resin and demand significant skill to complete.
• Mainland China Usage: Refers to finished collectible models, which can depict characters, cars, buildings, insects, or other subjects. These are ready for display right out of the box.

This difference often causes confusion, but the key distinction remains: figures are for collection and display, not product testing.

Common Types of Finished Figures

Finished figures come in various forms to suit different markets and budgets:

1. PVC Painted Figures

The most accessible type for mass markets:

• Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Price Point: More affordable compared to other finished figures
• Characteristics: Generally simpler details due to manufacturing limitations
• Einschränkungen: Cannot achieve certain complex structural shapes
• Target Market: Casual collectors and general consumers

2. Resin Painted Figures

Premium options for serious collectors:

• Material: High-quality resin
• Price Point: More expensive due to higher material costs and lower production volumes
• Characteristics: Superior detail, harder material, and better long-term stability
• Advantages: Won’t deform when displayed for extended periods, heavier weight feels more substantial
• Target Market: Serious collectors and enthusiasts willing to invest in quality

The Creation Process for Figures

Creating collectible figures involves different steps than prototyping:

• Design Phase: Artists create detailed character designs or reference real objects
• Master Model Creation: Detailed master models are sculpted or 3D modeled
• Mold Making: Molds are created from the master model for production
• Casting: Material (PVC or resin) is poured into molds to create figure parts
• Montage: Multiple parts are assembled into the complete figure
• Painting and Finishing: Details are painted by hand or via automated processes
• Quality Control: Inspection to ensure paint quality and detail accuracy

This process focuses on aesthetic perfection rather than functional testing, distinguishing it clearly from prototyping.

What Are Molds? Der “Mother of Industry”

Molds are the industrial tools used to mass-produce products. Often called the “mother of industry,” molds shape materials into consistent forms through various manufacturing processes.

The Fundamental Role of Molds in Manufacturing

A mold is essentially a tool that shapes materials into specific forms by changing their physical state. They’re crucial for:

• Massenproduktion: Enabling consistent replication of products at scale
• Cost Efficiency: Reducing per-unit production costs for large volumes
• Präzision: Ensuring uniform dimensions across thousands or millions of parts
• Complexity: Allowing the creation of intricate shapes that would be difficult to produce manually

Nearly every mass-produced item you use daily—from your phone case to your coffee mug—was created using some type of mold.

How Molds Work

Molds operate on a simple but powerful principle:

1. A mold is created with a cavity in the exact shape of the desired product
2. Material (Plastik, Metall, usw.) is heated or softened until it can flow
3. The material is forced into the mold cavity under pressure
4. The material cools or cures, taking the shape of the cavity
5. The mold opens, and the finished part is removed
6. The process repeats for mass production

This cycle allows manufacturers to produce identical parts efficiently, with each cycle taking anywhere from seconds to minutes depending on the material and part complexity.

Common Types of Molds

Molds come in many varieties to accommodate different materials and manufacturing processes:

1. Hardware Molds

Used for metal processing:

• Stamping Dies: Include punching dies, bending dies, deep drawing dies, and shaping dies
• Forging Dies: Such as die forging dies and upsetting forging dies
• Extrusion Dies: For creating long, uniform cross-section metal parts
• Die-Casting Dies: For producing complex metal parts by forcing molten metal into molds

2. Non-Metallic Molds

Used for plastics and other materials:

• Plastic Molds: Zum Injektionsforming, Blasenformung, and compression molding
• Inorganic Non-Metallic Molds: For ceramics and other non-plastic materials
• Sand Molds: Primarily used in metal casting processes
• Vacuum Molds: Used for forming plastic sheets into shapes
• Paraffin Molds: Often used in investment casting processes

The Cost Reality of Molds

One critical aspect of molds is their significant upfront cost:

• Simple molds can cost tens of thousands of dollars
• Complex molds for precision parts often exceed $100,000
• Specialized molds for medical devices frequently reach millions of dollars
• Modifications to existing molds are also expensive, often requiring complete redesigns

This high cost is why prototypes are so important—they help identify design flaws before investing in expensive molds, preventing costly mistakes.

Prototypes vs. Figures vs. Molds: A Clear Comparison

To eliminate confusion, let’s compare these three concepts side by side:

How They Interact in Production

While distinct, these three concepts sometimes work together in manufacturing:

1. A Prototyp is created and refined to perfect the design
2. Once approved, A Schimmel is manufactured based on the final prototype
3. Der Schimmel produces mass quantities of the product, which could include consumer goods or the bases for figures
4. Specialized Formen are also used to produce collectible figures im Maßstab

This workflow highlights how prototypes reduce risk before mold investment, while molds enable efficient production of both functional products and collectible figures.

Common Misconceptions and Clarifications

Even with clear definitions, misconceptions persist:

Misconception 1: Prototypes and figures are the same because they’re both “Modelle”

Clarification: While both are physical objects, prototypes focus on functional testing and design validation, while figures prioritize aesthetic detail for collection. A prototype of a toy car tests how it rolls and withstands impact; a figure of that car focuses on looking accurate and display-worthy.

Misconception 2: Molds are only used for plastic parts

Clarification: Molds are used across materials, including metals, ceramics, glass, and composites. From aluminum soda cans (made with metal stamping dies) to ceramic coffee mugs (shaped in ceramic molds), molds are versatile tools in manufacturing.

Misconception 3: All prototypes are 3D printed

Clarification: While 3D printing is popular for prototyping, prototypes can be made through CNC machining, Handwerk, silicone casting, and other methods depending on material, Komplexität, and required precision.

Misconception 4: Expensive figures must be good prototypes

Clarification: High-end collectible figures often sacrifice functionality for appearance. A detailed resin figure might look perfect but lack the structural integrity needed for functional testing—a core requirement of prototypes.

Perspektive der Yigu -Technologie

Bei Yigu Technology, we recognize prototypes, figures, and molds as interconnected yet distinct elements in manufacturing. Prototypes are the critical first step, ensuring design feasibility before mold investment. While figures serve different purposes, their production shares mold-making principles with functional products. We emphasize prototyping to mitigate mold costs, using CNC and 3D printing to create accurate models that bridge design and production effectively for our clients.

FAQ

1. Can a prototype be used as a master model for creating a mold?

Ja, high-quality prototypes often serve as master models for mold creation. Once a prototype is finalized and approved, it can be scanned or used directly to create the production mold, ensuring the final mass-produced parts match the validated design.

2. Are there situations where a figure might require prototyping?

Absolut. When developing new collectible figures, manufacturers first create prototypes to test sculpt details, paint applications, and assembly methods. These prototypes ensure the final figure meets quality standards before investing in production molds.

3. How do I decide whether I need a prototype, a figure, or a mold?

Consider your goal: Need to test a new product design? You need a prototype. Want a collectible display item? You want a figure. Planning mass production of an approved design? You need a mold. Prototypes validate designs, figures satisfy collection needs, and molds enable large-scale production.