//2.6-Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes

Question 1

Why are prototypes used

Answer 1

• commercial manufacture- they are the starting point for future productions of batch or mass produced products
• company- to test performance and aesthetics, and to gather market feedback prior to manufacturing the product

Question 2

What is a visual protoype

Answer 2

-a sample or model that shows the overall shape and size of the product, but does not usually have any working parts, which tests the visual impact that a product form may have

Question 3

What does a proof of concept prototype show

Answer 3

• shoes the key functionality and main technical aspects of the design
• not intended to look like the final product, would not usually be made from production grade materials, and may make use of existing ‘off the shelf’ components
• allows the design team to test the functions to see if they work as intended
• could be made and tested prior to a solution being found

Question 4

What is a production prototype and how is it used

Answer 4

• it is a representation of how the mass produced product would look and function
• ‘off the shelf’ parts may still be used, but it is more likely that it will be built from bespoke parts
• material used will not be as close to production grade as possible, unless this is not economically viable
• manufacturers will make use of a presentation prototype to assess any alterations that may be required prior to mass production
• generallly be marketed in small user trials prior to full production run
• a company may produce an intial batch of products for testing, trialling and further refining, prior to the final product being put in full production

Question 5

How do manufacturers choose what manufacturing process to use

Answer 5

• the number of components, complexity of the product and the volume of production will determine the type of machinery used to create a product
• if a one off wooden chair were being made in a workshop, standard tooling such as band saws may be used
• if a batch of 50 chairs were required, the manufacturer would start to utilise jigs to ensure easue of repeatability and speed of production
• in a table- process, prototype, batch

Question 6

What is one off production

Answer 6

• unique, individually designed
• it is labour intensive and is the domain of skilled crafstmen and manufacturers
• machinery usually set up for the task required and then adjusted for the next task
• handmade fitted kitchen, racing bicycle for an elite athlete

Question 7

What is batch production

Answer 7

• used to make a batch of products
• to ensure consistency, manufacturers use control devices e.g. jigs
• machines set up to do specific tasks
• workers may carry out different tasks on a job rotation between machinery
• pottery, jet engine, electric guitars

Question 8

What is mass production

Answer 8

• utilises the automation of manufacturing processes wherever possible, and may make extensive use of dedicated machinery as well as CNC machinery such as laser cutters to manufacture the same product many times over
• due to reliance an automation, mass production processes do not require highly skilled workers for product manufacture
• cars, clothing, TVs, phones