Rapid Prototype Blog

Archive for October, 2009

It may sound contradictory, but going straight from wireframe to code is not the best way to finish your project early. Normally, clients make several changes when they see the actual design, with colours and real text. Many of those are structural changes.

Structural changes are never easy to make, because they can affect all the project. So, if you have a prototype, it’s easier to change things and don’t have these modifications destroying everything.

Prototypes are like rehearsals of a play, or a movie: you can do them any way you want, modify, edit, test, and after everyone agrees, you do it smoothly and perfectly.

Probably, some co-worker will say a prototype isn’t necessary. Or maybe a boss, who wants to save money. But they will be the first ones to start changing the project, the scope, the budget, the features of the site. And as you add them, it will become a huge mess. Big projects that fail often go this way.

Explain to them that the site is a building, or a statue. You can first draw it, then you’ll create a model, with soft objects, like clay or wood. Re-do it bigger. Change things, see if everyone likes. Then you get marble, or diamonds, or any kind of object in which you don’t want to do any alteration. This is the way to a masterwork. If you want to change the stone pillars of a huge building, you’ve got a problem. If it’s only a model, there’s none. And it costs just a fraction to change a pebble from here to there, comparing to a big rock.

Never underestimate the headaches a badly planned project can bring. People say that every minute spent planning means two minutes you save re-doing something. So, next time you start a web project, or software development, think twice before skipping your prototype phase. Every detail specified, every feature tested and approved means you won’t have to re-work that later.

Got a new project? Justinmind Prototyper until you got the final ok. Then you get your coding skills, your graphic design, your real text edition, your effects. Because you know changing code is hard, but wireframing with Justinmind Prototyper is easy.

change they intend to build into a system. But what is the “right amount” of prototyping ? Can a person “go overboard” with prototyping, doing too much of it so that they never have time to
do “real” work ? Who’s the arbiter of what the correct amount of prototyping ? Can a virtuoso programmer get away with doing no prototyping whatsoever ?)
Is there a “sweet spot” in the development, where an optimal amount of prototyping is performed ?

I am holding a lecture on Rapid Protyping soon, and would like to show some images of really impressive rapid prototyping examples.
Can you think of a URL for me?
Cheers.

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There is a tendency nowadays of doing HTML prototypes for client presentation or to test projects. This is a more realistic approach to paper, but it’s very much more time consuming. Justinmind is a tool made to join together the functionality of a HTML wireframe with the ease to use of diagram tools such as Visio and Omnigrafle.

There is not a conflict between HTML wireframes x paper. Both have problems: not everyone has HTML knowledge, it’s time consuming and people tend to spend more time checking for HTML mistakes than for thinking about the final product. Paper is not the real thing. Cannot simulate very important situations, and don’t work in several tests.

With Justinmind Prototyper it’s possible to generate this HTML just as if it was a diagramming tool. The final code should be created after approval, but it minimize changes and reduce production costs. This way, you’ll have:

An added value to the client, who’ll see something very much alike the final project, with interactions and maybe a mockup of the final layout. Improved client communication. The client will be able to see his web or program working. He’ll understand the links, the effects, and will make his changes before coding phase. Communication through demonstration means that every specification will be clearer, leading to a smoother coding phase. Dump the poor ideas before. It’s better to lose an hour creating a prototype of that functionality than loose a week coding something that won’t get to the final project. Simplified implementation. When everyone knows what to do, and everything’s well documented, the final phases go easy and smooth.

Easier to convince people of the value of a project

Not a long time ago, when people asked for a layout of anything printed, they received something drawn, painted with ink, glued, copied and pasted with scissors and several other objects. Then came digital desktop, which changed forever graphic design. Now, before buying a great project, you see a mockup of the printed version, with almost final quality of colours, shape, etc.

Why selling a website with a static page?

We know coding can be hard, and much more for applications, but that can be simulated to near-real experience nowadays.

You have to build one car to test, then mass produce it

When a car factory builds a car and have it tested, this prototype can be approved, modified or abandoned. They can also be virtually built and simulated with software nowadays, can’t they?

That can now happen to websites and programs.

An HTML prototype is like a real built car. It’s hard to create, but it shows all functionality to perfection. If it works, they’ll build more. A prototype created with Justinmind Prototyper is like a virtual car: you can test almost everything, and simulate to the bones, having all the advantages, but with much less effort.

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Spin Casting has brought rapid prototype technology to a completely different level of production efficiency. With the capability of producing prototypes in different metals spin casting has given companies options never before experienced in rapid prototype techniques. Now with spin casting technology fragile, functional metal parts can be manufactured with rapid prototype models. Spin casting can cut production times by a considerable percentage and have prototypes available for testing the same day as production. The spin casting technology also eliminates the need for considerable post production tooling and refinishing. Spin casting technology is also easy to use with all the custom features necessary to produce even complex design specifications.

Spin Casting Fabrication Metals

Spin casting technology can accommodate a number of metals to produce fine quality prototypes that are fully functional and produced according to design specifications. Using rubber molds a variety of metals can be used with spin casting technology to produce a variety of finished products. Spin casting can produce prototypes consisting of zinc alloys which are a favorite casting metal, as these metals can accept a variety of surface finishing compounds. These alloys are commonly used in spin casting to replace aluminum, copper and low-grade steel. Spin casting prototypes are suitable for electroplating to produce the appearance of brass, silver or gold.

 

Spin casting can also produce prototypes in many other types of materials as well. Using polyurethane, polyester, epoxy or wax; spin casting can produce a number of products in a variety of materials. Comparing the production cost of spin casting and traditional tooling has spin casting as the most cost effective method of production. Spin casting can produce the same products as traditional tooling and molds but for a fraction of the cost. With spin casting an additional feature is be able to control the number of items manufactured. With traditional manufacturing, single or small item orders are generally more expensive with prices decreasing as unit numbers increase. But spin casting costs remain stable throughout the production process regardless of the number of items produced making it very cost efficient.

Spin Casting Fabrication Steps

Spin casting requires the use of molds that are made from a silicone based material and can accommodate the original parts to form exact details of the models used in production. Once prepared the spin casting molds are hardened and the models are removed leaving detailed molds that will be used for prototype production. With spin casting temperatures reaching around 400C air vents are cut into molds to allow gases to escape during the production process. Spin casting uses centrifugal force to inject fabrication material into molds ensuring all details of the model are reproduced in the prototype. Spin casting allows for complete adjustment of production speeds, pressure controls and cycle times. Prototypes produced by spin casting are precision products that will meet all design specifications and tolerances.

Spin casting cuts the time needed to produce prototypes by a considerable amount and will have prototypes available for the testing phase in a shorter amount of time. Spin casting technology can support post production finishing by being able to use a wide variety of materials. Spin casting techniques are easy to use, cost effective and a time conserving technology for the production of rapid prototypes.

I am studying for my 1st year in Bsc. Can someone please tell me good advantages and disadvantages of prototyping?.
Thanks

The technology used in rapid prototyping printers for producing 3D models is computer assisted design (CAD) software which directs hardware to precise specifications to produce three dimensional models. The efficiency of rapid prototyping to produce models for various companies and allow design changes to be made quickly and easily has found this technology an excellent solution for fulfilling their rapid prototyping needs. As the implications for rapid prototyping printers continue to develop the applications for the manufacturing of products is expanding. If a product is desired by the business they can simply purchase a CAD file upload it and use rapid prototyping printers to reproduce it. With fabrication materials for use in rapid prototyping printers continuing to advance the use of metals, plastics and polymers contributes to the wide application of rapid prototyping printers.

Convenience of Using Rapid Prototyping Printers

Rapid prototyping printers not only make product availability more convenient for companies but for consumers also. The technology once used only by manufacturers is now available for consumer use in their business or at home. Rapid prototyping printers provide an enhanced ability for the production of models and products. If a new brush or comb is desired, rapid prototyping printers can produce one very conveniently. Rapid prototyping printers can be used for a variety of products constructed of numerous kinds of materials. The technology used in rapid prototyping printers is computer assisted design software utilized to build a 3 dimensional model. The model is produced layer by layer until an exact reproduction is produced according to the specifications dictated by the program.

If a small business needs a product or model produced there is no need to maintain workshops with specialized tools or expensive skilled craftspeople as with traditional modeling. Rapid prototyping printers can provide the technology necessary to produce 3D models more conveniently and in shorter periods of time and for less money. In today’s business environment in order for a small business to grow the capability to produce products in a cost efficient manner is crucial for success. Rapid prototyping printers provide the technology for small businesses that are seeking more convenient and cost effective manufacturing options.

Growing Applications for Rapid Prototyping Printers

The computer assisted design applications of rapid prototyping printers are numerous compared to traditional prototyping methods. Traditional methods required the use of large, bulky and sophisticated equipment which also required a major investment for businesses to own. Rapid prototyping printers however are reasonably sized, compact and much less expensive. The set up time and simple operation has made rapid prototyping printers popular for creating models, machine parts and toys. The almost unlimited flexibility and potential applications of rapid prototyping printers to create replicas is a distinct applications advantage of this technology over traditional methods. If a CAD program can be created and suitable materials developed the application of rapid prototyping printers is immense.

Also, unlike some prototyping techniques the rapid prototyping printers produces no toxic chemicals from nor uses any toxic substances during the production process. Due to their safe operation the potential locations for where rapid prototyping printers can be set up and operated increases their application potential. Additional advantages gained from the application of rapid prototyping printers is that post production work is minimized, only the removal of excess materials produced during the production process is necessary. The applications of rapid prototyping printers are many including reduced costs, efficiency and safety. As new innovations for rapid prototyping printers are developed so will additional applications and markets open up as well.

I’m looking to have a rapid prototype made for a product I’m working on. I can’t seem to locate the resources online. I’m thinking either CNC machined from plastic? Maybe one of those laser prototyping machines with the vat of liquid? Heck, even a plastic printer? Any ideas anyone!