Open access
PROTOTYPES ARE IMPORTANT
Filipe WILTGEN1
Human-friendly new technologies
Publication language: English
Journal article
Transformations No. 4 (115) 2022, Publication date: 28 December 2022
Keywords: Prototypes, Tests, Additive Manufacturing, Technological Maturity, Requirements
Abstract Prototypes are a fundamental part of any development. There are many ways to perform a test for an trial. Some trials have several tests in their procedures. Without Tests & Trails, a new idea does not advance in its technological maturity (TRL - Technology Readiness Level) and thus lengthens path of becoming a product. The industry conducts tests, but they are almost always with product and not with real prototypes. In any case, the limitation imposed by computer programming of virtual prototypes, never achieves results obtained with a real physical prototype, whether in a controlled environment (in laboratory), or even in a relevant environment (in field). Currently, with additive manufacturing, task of building physical prototypes has reached another level of achievement. A real physical development prototype should always be easy and fast to build, at different scales and with low-cost materials. As project maturity grows, so do costs and scales of prototypes. This paper aims to discuss and present, in a clear and simple way, importance of building and testing new ideas with real physical prototypes manufactured in additive manufacturing.
Universidade de Taubaté, Sao Paulo, Brazil
ORCID: 0000-0002-2364-5157
E-mail: LFWBarbosa@gmail.com, Filipe.Wiltgen@gmail.com