Rapid prototyping is a product development method that allows a company to rapidly develop, implement and bring new products to market. Rapid development and prototyping have been revolutionary for the prototyping industry and have many benefits to offer your company. Here are several benefits of rapid prototyping for your company.
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5 Ways how rapid product development and prototyping benefits your company
1. CAD digital models allow companies to evaluate different product versions
The first stage of development is to develop a product idea and test it to see if it works. Although this may sound easy, evaluating the validity of a product can be a slow process. A mockup may not have the same look and feel as the real thing, and getting a product sample made overseas can take weeks. Rapid prototyping services can change that. CAD (computer-aided design) artists can create a digital product model that shows how the product will look from various angles.
This CAD model can 3D print a prototype, providing a copy of the new product within days instead of weeks. With a quick timeline, you can have several copies printed so your team can decide which product is worth pursuing. Your company can be confident that they’ve chosen the best product version to develop further.
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2. Rapid prototyping allows for quick and thorough testing of new products
Once you know what product you want to develop, rapid prototyping can also help you pursue the best version of that product. Rapid prototyping allows you to create several different product versions and test them to see which works best. Several factors influence a new product’s success, including whether it is ergonomic enough to use, how attractive it looks, and how functional it is. Testing and researching multiple versions of new products has other benefits, and you may save thousands or even millions of dollars.
Simple design changes a user may not notice could significantly reduce the cost of creating and manufacturing a product. Testing allows the new product concept design team to be creative and work to make the best product design. You may be able to take aspects of various product versions and create a high-quality product. Rapid prototyping makes all of this possible and does not require much time to get the product off the ground. Thanks to 3D printing and CAD design, changes are quick and easy.
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3. Solidifies proof of concept
Getting a product off the ground requires more than development. Stakeholders, such as the company’s CEO or financers, must be persuaded that the product has validity to keep the idea progressing. A physical copy of the product demonstrates whether the product has the potential to be a good product line or not. Mockups or a completed version of the product help prove that the idea can be executed, which is an essential step during product development.
If the product in question is a new technology, having a model can help secure financing. Proof of concept (POC) aids communication when developing a new technology or bringing a product to the market. POC means the difference between getting the funding you need and having to sideline the idea or limit its possibilities due to lack of funding.
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4. Expedites new product concept to market
One of the most significant benefits of rapid prototyping is reducing how long it takes to get a product to market. Rapid prototyping allows you to develop an idea, get a copy, and get it tested much faster than traditional methods. Rapid prototyping saves time during product development with the help of a 3D product modeling designer. Unlike sketches, 3D models can be modified easily without recreating the model. If changing the grip of a product will make it more ergonomic, just the grip can be redesigned. 3D models can also help speed up production. Many 3D models are made with the ease of manufacturing in mind, and the model can illustrate what materials to use, so there is no confusion in the production process.
Modeling helps avoid costly mistakes and makes manufacturing more cost-effective. The more consideration put into the initial prototype, the better the end product will come out. Rapid prototyping can help speed the market as the 3D printing design expert can often be 3D printed locally for immediate access to a physical copy. A 3D printed model can assess consumer reactions, aid as a communication tool, and simplify safety testing. In the past, companies obtained a product sample overseas, which had a long lead time and was costly since most manufacturers won’t print just one product.
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Rapid prototyping shortens the time to market so that your product has a competitive edge, claiming that important market share for your product. If you are late to the market, other brands have name recognition, and your product may be seen as a copycat even if you were the first to begin development. In the worst-case scenario, a new product may be scrapped due to market saturation, wasting all that product development time and investment.
5. Visual aid to product introduction
Many individuals within a company will be involved in product development and conception. Gaining financing to help get the product off the ground, convincing consumers to purchase this product, and assisting manufacturers in determining how to move to production are essential steps. A visual aid created by an experienced 3D rendering designer can help you sell your product more quickly, gain financing, and clarify aspects of the development. If a financer can see how excellent your product is, they’ll be more likely to finance it. If you specify how much it will cost to bring the product to market, you’ll ask for the right amount.
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In the early phases of development, visual aids can also be used for marketing a product. Realistic 3D models can advertise the product before manufacturing the first physical copy. Physical copies assist customers and manufacturers in reviewing product functionality. Since rapid prototyping allows for one product to be made, and small production runs make minor adjustments possible.
Conclusion
Rapid prototyping has changed the businesses develop new products, making it easier to develop, test, and produce new products. Companies that use traditional development methods bring products to market less efficiently than 3D CAD models, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping. Modernizing product development through rapid prototyping provides the best chance of new product success by getting early market share.
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