There are 3 types of prototypes as known in the inventor field.

One is a tangible product to match the idea but it does not perform or operate any task in any way. This prototype can be enough at times and is called a rough prototype. Jumbo jets are designed on a screen and then built and hope they fly ok.

Second is a working model prototype. This is where the inventor would like to be. Able to demonstrate the purpose of the idea. I personally would just make as pretty as you can and then in your presentation you can say this is not a production model, I did not want to waste my time, you guys are the experts at making a production model.

Last is a production model prototype. An exact model of the product that will be on the shelf. This is wonderful for the inventor but not necessary. There may never be a production model prototype…just a jump into production and a sample of the product run will be preferred.

Prototypes are nice to have but sometimes an inventor just can’t obtain one to be proud of. This is where we turn to CAD drawings, sell sheets or even as I have, a quality drawing by an artist.

What to do? What to present? Do the best you can. Put effort in but don’t waste your time either. The manufacturer knows you do not have the ability to make a great of perfect prototype.

I present working prototypes as a rule but have presented just drawings and received plenty of respect.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Of course my ideas are always simple ideas- so it’s easier for me to make a prototype. I typically make a couple of prototypes as part of the invention process. Working on a prototype actually helps me work thru the idea. My finished prototype is always different from the first attempt. Sometimes it’s just a looks like idea. Sometimes I put alot of energy into using the actual materials I envision. It all depends on how committed I am to that particular idea, and how complex it is. I put alot of thought and energy into my ShoeSkirt prototype- because I was 100% committed to that one. I had to get creative on the materials I used, and I spent many, many hours at the sewing machine.

So is a prototype a sample then?

This is what I thought:

Prototype: taking an idea from your head and making a real product, usually home made just to test your idea and see if it looks/functions the way you thought it would. Usually multiple prototypes are made because adjustments are necessary.

Sample: The finished product that you are happy with and believe is the best representation of your idea.

This is the way I look at prototyping- as a contest inventor who is just trying to get my ideas across. First is the visual representation. It’s meant to show how the over all idea would look. Many do this as drawings or sketches.
Then there is the rough prototype. This shows the functionality but doesn’t have that finished look (sometimes it’s very rustic). Then there is the working prototype which to me is the closet I’m going to get to a finished type product with the tools I have available. Many times I’m happy to stop at the rough prototype (you can call it a sample if you’d like Mark :-) until I see if it’s getting some good dashboard action! As in the WestPoint Home- at the G7 stage, I went and spent many more hours on it and refined my rough prototype. Was it a sample? Not really- it was just my vision of the finished look.

I think of it as an unrefined finished product.

Made with the best materials one can find to resemble what’s wanted in a finished product.It shows all of the parts and pieces needed to manufacture it.

Something one can send it to the manufacturer for them to refine it and give it that professional, manufactured end look.

Hmmm…This is what we have so far….

“The best representation of your idea”

“shows the functionality but doesn’t have that finished look”

“Something one can send it to the manufacturer for them to refine it and give it that professional, manufactured end look”

“tangible product to match the idea but it does not perform or operate any task in any way”

“Able to demonstrate the purpose of the idea”

“An exact model of the product that will be on the shelf”

A prototype is a method of communicating your dream.

I mostly agree with Ron’s list. There are different kinds of prototypes for different purposes. I’d like to add a fourth: The proof-of-concept prototype. This is for when the invention is something truly new or complex. It is necessary to prove that it even works. An example might be a new chemical process, a new type of solar cell, a flying motorcycle, etc. The proof-of-concept does not even need to look like the final product at all, just work.

Interesting!

But what do you call a recreation of an idea or invention (which may already be existing) on a virtual medium like 3d for instance using CAD and 3d softwares to demonstrate your invention through virtual means? Does virtual prototyping also achieve the same effect as a tangible working prototype? True that certain factors cannot be estimated in a virtual scenario but the idea of demonstrating, keeping in mind the right materials and principles used, can be achieved through animations. Wouldn’t it be the best form of prototyping considering the factors of cost, risk, time and effort can all be reduced to a certain extent?

It’s a sample of your product that looks and works like you say it will.

As you can see there are many diffrent ideas and defenitions of a prototype. But what it really comes down to is the context and your audiance. What are you trying to accomplish with the prototype. Once you define that then you know what type of prototype you need.

Mark
mark@gensenius.com
gensenius.com

The comments and information here are great. I think everyone is right in their view of what a prototype is. For me I usually think it through and do rough drawings until I’m fairly confident it could work.

I may make a proof of concept prototype at this stage to be sure it will work. The simplest one I ever made consisted of 2 disposable cups a rubber band and some holes poked in one cup. It proved to me the concept was valid and that it would work but it wasn’t something I’d seriously show anyone I wanted to buy it.

I then do a tight illustrator drawing or build a 3D model. The goal of that is to show the client what I want it to look like in the end if it were ever produced. I take into account molding, machining and material limitations and really attempt to make a realistic drawing of it. This is what will most likely get their interest.

A well thought out virtual prototype with a good write up can sell your idea almost as well as a one off prototype. A one off prototype is an actual manufactured pre-production version of your item all ready to go as soon as they back you.

If I feel the idea is still too hard to fully visualize between the write up and the 3D model I will attempt to build a Functioning prototype. A Functioning prototype can be made out of just about anything and can be ugly as sin as long as it works and shows your idea can work.

I attempt to make it as pretty as possible but the function is what is important. You show them a working prototype explain how it would be manufactured and how it would work and then you open up your laptop and say “And this is how I envision it looking in the end” and they are in awe of it’s beauty and start throwing cash at you.

Like Mark said there many ways to define “Prototype” and I think we covered about all of them here. I just wanted to explain how I use the different types.

How do the rest of you use prototypes?

I then

Mark, what is YOUR PERSONAL definition of a prototype? How would YOU define it?

A prototype is many things to an Inventor, the stages of development, proof of concept, licensing tool.
Design criteria are also something that needs to be done in the process, this is very important from my experience to create a new product you cannot visualize.

Have inventors considered making new Inventions that they cannot personally solve the problem; this is the case for both my Roofing Protractor and Stair Square.

Getting other people involved like a retired scientist,3D CAD Designers and showing them drawings of a concept that works in theory only, but no practical solution known, Inventors can move into a area of the unknown prototype and that is very interesting, it is very different frustrating, knowing I had valuable concepts and taking for example 12 years on the Roofing Protractor to get the design right and 1 whole year for the Stair Square and 25 prototypes both Real and CAD, competing against each other in the end becoming a hybrid of the CAD and Real Prototypes.

This makes a very interesting situation for an Inventor, basically having a Invention theory but not visual or practical concept of how to make it work.

To go down that road without stopping until either you are successful in design or not!

Mock-UP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mockup