Conception de prototypes is the bridge between a product’s conceptual idea and its physical realization—it transforms 2D drawings or 3D models into touchable, testable objects to verify appearance, structure, et les fonctionnalités. For product teams, mastering prototype design is critical to reducing development risks, optimizing user experience, et accélérer le temps de commercialisation. This article breaks down prototype design’s core purposes, genres, step-by-step processes, and key considerations, using practical examples and comparisons to help you implement it effectively.
1. Core Purposes of Prototype Design: Pourquoi ça compte
Prototype design is not just “making a model”—it solves specific problems in product development. Below are its five non-negotiable goals:
| But | Key Value | Real-World Application Example |
| Verify Design Feasibility | Check if the design is physically achievable (Par exemple, ajustement de la pièce, material suitability). | A phone case designer uses a prototype to confirm that the camera cutout aligns perfectly with the phone’s lens. |
| Reduce Development Risks | Identifier les défauts (Par exemple, structural weaknesses) before mass production to avoid costly rework. | An automotive team tests a plastic prototype of a car interior handle—discovering it breaks under 5kg of force, so they adjust the material to ABS. |
| Optimize User Experience | Simulate real usage scenarios to test comfort, convivialité, and interaction logic. | A smartwatch designer has users test a prototype: feedback shows the side button is hard to press, so they enlarge the button by 2mm. |
| Shorten Development Cycles | Enable fast iterations (Par exemple, modifying a 3D-printed part in 24 heures) to speed up product launch. | A startup reduces its lamp development cycle from 3 des mois pour 1 month by using plastic prototypes for rapid design tweaks. |
| Save Costs | Cut post-production modification expenses (Par exemple, fixing mold errors) by validating designs early. | A toy company avoids a $20,000 mold rework cost by discovering a part mismatch in a 3D-printed prototype. |
Question clé: Can I skip prototype design for simple products?
No—even small products (Par exemple, a plastic cup) benefit from prototyping. A prototype might reveal that the cup’s handle is too thin to hold comfortably, a flaw that would go unnoticed in 2D designs.
2. Types of Prototype Design: Choose Based on Your Goals
Not all prototypes are the same—select the type that matches your testing priorities. Each type has distinct purposes, exemples, and requirements:
| Type de prototype | Primary Purpose | Exemples courants | Exigences clés |
| Apparence Prototype | Validate shape, couleur, matériel, and surface texture (no functional components). | Caisses téléphoniques, panneaux de carrosserie, home appliance front panels. | High-precision appearance restoration (Par exemple, color matching to Pantone standards, consistance de la texture). |
| Prototype structurel | Test internal structure, part assembly, et précision dimensionnelle. | Pièces mécaniques (engrenages, supports), boîtiers d'appareils électroniques. | Accurate dimensions (error ±0.1mm), clear assembly logic (Par exemple, snap fits, trous à vis). |
| Prototype fonctionnel | Verify core functions (Par exemple, boutons, circuits, parties en mouvement). | Smart home devices (Par exemple, a voice-controlled lamp), outils médicaux, jouets. | Operable functional modules (Par exemple, LED lights that turn on/off), support for repeated debugging. |
Comparison Tip: If you’re in the early design stage, start with an appearance prototype (Par exemple, a foam board model of a speaker) to test aesthetics. Once the look is finalized, move to a structural prototype (Par exemple, a 3D-printed speaker housing) to check part fit. Enfin, build a functional prototype (Par exemple, adding a circuit board to the speaker) to test sound quality.
3. Step-by-Step Process of Prototype Design: From Idea to Test
Suivez ce linéaire, actionable process to ensure your prototype is effective and efficient:
3.1 Étape 1: Demand Analysis (Poser les bases)
Before designing, clarify what you need to test and collect key information:
- Define Objectives: Répondre: “What do I want to verify?» (Par exemple, “Test if the laptop hinge opens 180°” or “Check if the water bottle lid is leakproof”).
- Collect Information: Gather product design drawings (Dossiers CAO), 3Modèles D, exigences matérielles (Par exemple, “must be heat-resistant”), and function descriptions (Par exemple, “button must withstand 10,000 presses”).
3.2 Étape 2: Planification de la conception (Choose Methods & Matériels)
Select the right production process, matériel, and surface treatment based on your prototype type:
| Planning Category | Possibilités & Recommandations |
| Processus de production | – Usinage CNC: Best for high-precision, complex structures (Par exemple, supports de métaux).- 3D Impression: Ideal for fast iterations (FDM for PLA/ABS; SLA for resin prototypes).- Fait à la main: Suitable for low-cost, Formes simples (Par exemple, sludge models for early concept tests). |
| Sélection des matériaux | – PLA / ABS: For most plastic prototypes (facile à traiter, faible coût).- Métal (Aluminum/Steel): Pour les pièces à haute résistance (Par exemple, car suspension components).- Silicone: For soft-touch parts (Par exemple, phone button covers).- Acrylique Transparent: For light-transmitting parts (Par exemple, ombres de lampe). |
| Traitement de surface | – Pulvérisation: Simulate matte/glossy textures or brand colors.- Électroplaste: Add metallic luster (Par exemple, a chrome-finished prototype handle).- Impression d'écran en soie: Apply logos or text (Par exemple, a “Power On” label on a device). |
3.3 Étape 3: 3D Modélisation (Digital Precision)
Utiliser le logiciel CAO (Par exemple, Solide, Fusion 360) to build an accurate digital model with these rules:
- Size Consistency: Ensure the model matches the final product’s actual dimensions (Par exemple, a 10cm-tall toy prototype should have the same scale as the mass-produced version).
- Assembly Clearances: Reserve 0.1–0.2mm gaps between parts (Par exemple, un couvercle et un conteneur) to avoid tight fits.
- Structures de soutien: Add temporary supports (Par exemple, for 3D printing overhanging parts like a lamp’s curved arm) pour éviter la déformation.
3.4 Étape 4: Prototype Fabrication (Bring to Life)
Turn the 3D model into a physical object using your chosen process:
- Usinage CNC: Import the model into CAM software to generate G-code, then use a CNC machine to cut the material (Par exemple, aluminum for a drone frame).
- 3D Impression: Slice the model with software like Cura (layer height 0.1–0.2mm for detail), then print with PLA/ABS/resin.
- Fait à la main: Carve or splice materials like clay, bois, or foam board (Par exemple, a handmade prototype of a furniture handle for early concept checks).
3.5 Étape 5: Post-traitement & Assemblée (Refine & Combiner)
Polish the prototype and assemble parts to prepare for testing:
- Ponçage & Polissage: Use 100–1500 mesh sandpaper to remove 3D print layer lines or CNC tool marks; apply polishing wax for a smooth finish.
- Color Coating: Spray paint or apply film to match the final product’s color (Par exemple, a red prototype for a brand’s signature color).
- Tests d'assemblage: Put parts together (Par exemple, attaching a circuit board to a device housing) to check fit and ensure no parts are missing.
3.6 Étape 6: Essai & Optimisation (Valider & Improve)
Test the prototype rigorously and iterate based on results:
| Type de test | Que vérifier | Actionable Fixes for Common Issues |
| Test d'apparence | Forme, couleur, surface texture (Par exemple, “Does the prototype match the design drawing?»). | If the color is off: Adjust the spray paint formula; if texture is uneven: Sand the surface again. |
| Essai structurel | Assembly logic, force, durabilité (Par exemple, “Can the hinge withstand 500 openings?»). | If parts don’t fit: Increase assembly clearance by 0.1mm; if the part breaks: Switch to a stronger material (Par exemple, ABS instead of PLA). |
| Test fonctionnel | Button responsiveness, circuit performance, parties en mouvement (Par exemple, “Does the LED light turn on?»). | If the button fails: Reposition the switch; if the circuit doesn’t work: Replace faulty components. |
4. Key Considerations for Prototype Design: Évitez les pièges courants
To ensure your prototype delivers value, focus on these four critical areas:
4.1 Contrôle de précision
- Dimensional Error: Keep errors within ±0.1mm for most products (Par exemple, electronic device parts); for high-precision items (Par exemple, outils médicaux), aim for ±0.05mm.
- Equipment Choice: Use high-precision tools like SLA 3D printers (for resin prototypes) ou machines CNC (pour les pièces métalliques) pour maintenir l'exactitude.
4.2 Coût & Time Balance
- Sélection de processus: Use 3D printing for complex parts (faster than CNC) and handmade methods for simple shapes (cheaper than 3D printing).
- Efficacité des matériaux: Optimize 3D print paths to reduce material waste (Par exemple, use 20–30% infill for non-load-bearing parts instead of 100%).
4.3 Simulation fonctionnelle
- Component Compatibility: Test electronic components (Par exemple, Lumières LED, capteurs) before integrating them into the prototype to avoid compatibility issues.
- Repeatable Testing: Ensure functional modules can be tested multiple times (Par exemple, a button that can be pressed 100+ Temps sans se casser) to simulate real usage.
4.4 Common Problem Solutions
| Problème commun | Causes | Correctifs |
| Déformation prototype | Excessive 3D printing temperature, refroidissement irrégulier, rétrécissement des matériaux. | Increase the print bed’s adsorption force (use a magnetic plate); lower the nozzle temperature by 5–10°C. |
| Surface Delamination | Too-large layer height, insufficient nozzle temperature, low-quality material. | Reduce layer height to 0.1mm; increase nozzle temperature by 10–15°C; switch to high-quality filaments. |
| Défaillance fonctionnelle | Poor component compatibility, flawed mechanical design. | Test components individually before assembly; Ajouter des structures de support (Par exemple, côtes) to weak mechanical parts. |
5. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Prototype Design
À la technologie Yigu, we see prototype design as a “risk-mitigation tool” rather than just a production step. Many clients initially rush to mass production without proper prototyping, only to face costly mold reworks or user complaints. Our approach is to align prototypes with client goals: for startups, we recommend low-cost PLA 3D prints for early iterations; pour les clients industriels, we use CNC-machined metal prototypes for high-strength tests. Par exemple, a medical device client once avoided a $50,000 mistake by discovering a structural flaw in a silicone prototype—we adjusted the design to add reinforcement ribs, ensuring the final product met safety standards. Prototype design isn’t about perfection; it’s about learning fast and building better products.
6. FAQ: Common Questions About Prototype Design
T1: How long does prototype design usually take?
A1: Cela dépend de la complexité. A simple PLA 3D-printed prototype (Par exemple, a phone stand) prend 1 à 2 jours (modélisation + impression + post-traitement de base). A complex functional prototype (Par exemple, a smartwatch) prend 1 à 2 semaines (including multiple iterations for testing).
T2: Do I need professional software to create a 3D model for prototyping?
A2: Pour les débutants, user-friendly tools like Tinkercad (gratuit) work for simple models. Pour des conceptions complexes (Par exemple, pièces mécaniques), use professional software like SolidWorks or Fusion 360—many platforms offer free trials for startups or students.
T3: Can I use the same prototype for appearance, de construction, and functional tests?
A3: Rarely—appearance prototypes often lack internal structures, while functional prototypes may have rough surfaces (to prioritize testing over aesthetics). Pour de meilleurs résultats, use separate prototypes for each test type: an appearance prototype for visual checks, a structural prototype for fit tests, and a functional prototype for performance checks.