Start with effective prototyping

5 common prototyping mistakes

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Sander Havik

Prototyping is an essential part of the design process. Yet we often see some common mistakes being made that can be easily avoided. Here are five mistakes we'd like to share with you.

Forgetting to check incoming parts

It frequently happens that errors are fixed later in the process, when the cause of the problem is actually parts that were not made to specification. Check the materials used and measure critical dimensions in advance.

Try to test everything at once

It is tempting to fully test a prototype right away, but it is often better to test subsystems separately. Separating function and form tests, for example, can avoid having to redo certain design work.

Confusing a prototype for a real product

Prototypes can be unsafe and are not designed for long-term use. Treating a prototype as a finished product can lead to false expectations and even safety risks.

Not using the full testing potential

It is a waste to assemble a prototype and test it only a few times. Perform exhaustive tests, such as endurance tests, drop tests and usage tests in different contexts, to avoid as many surprises later on as possible.

Using unsuitable materials

Select your 3D printing techniques consciously. For example, never use SLA for mechanically functional parts if you choose 3D printing; SLA prints are brittle and will break down.

At Spark, we believe that paying attention to these points makes all the difference and can make prototyping an integral part of your development rather than a separate milestone in your planning. Want to know how we can support you in your design process? We'd love to help you out!

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