Prototyping and DFM

Prototyping and DFM • Rapid Prototypes (SLA, SLS, FDM) • Painted Appearance Models • Proof of Principle Engineering Models • Design for Manufacturing Optimization

To close the design development loop, ION always recommends building prototypes for testing a design with potential users in order to evaluate the safety, usability, and comfort of the product. This process involves building high fidelity prototypes and observing users interact with the product, while also obtaining direct input from users on ways to improve usability. This can be an iterative process, with several rounds of prototypes required to resolve all design issues.

Prototypes also provide valuable pre-production feedback on product function, performance, and assembly. This allows designs to be refined for volume production. Design for Manufacture (DFM) is the critical final step before hand-off to one of ION’s qualified manufacturing partners.