Prototype Fidelity with Rapid Prototyping in Minneapolis, MN

July 13th, 2016 · 1 Comment

The production of high precision parts in metal stamping requires a good deal of planning. Without the accuracy developed throughout each step of the design process, Thomas Engineering Company (TEC) engineers would be unable to produce the precision stamped parts our customers need. This kind of design process is possible thanks to our rapid prototyping capabilities in Minneapolis, MN.

TEC rapid prototyping relies on the customer’s needs and original design, our experienced engineers design plans following the customer’s specifications, and our advanced computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software.

Using these aspects of outlining a concept for a part, TEC is able to begin creating a prototype using a process of increasing levels of fidelity. Each level of prototype fidelity corresponds to the design’s resemblance of the finished part, both in form and function.

Prototype Fidelity

Low: The beginning of the prototyping process yields designs with a low fidelity to the finalized part. This may include the customer’s idea and sketches, an original CAD/CAM file, or our engineers’ mockups and design schematics. While this stage of the prototyping process will almost always need modifications further down the line, it is crucial to start with these basic designs to create a final, precision-based quality part.

Medium: The next stage of the prototyping process generates designs that resemble the final product much more closely than low fidelity designs. These medium fidelity designs can be anything from more-advanced CAD/CAM files to trial physical prototypes. This stage of the design process allows our engineers to review the schematics with the customer, troubleshoot potential problems, and begin making modifications that will bring the prototype closer to the final product.

High: The final stage of the prototyping process demands the production of a finalized design with high fidelity to the physical part. This often means that the high fidelity prototype is an exact replica of the part, and the design plan can be used for part production.

The process of rapid prototyping used at TEC will rarely remain at low or medium fidelity for long. The use of mockups, design plans, and prototype drafts is quickly replaced by a prototype that has high visual and functional fidelity to the actual part.

For more information about TEC precision metal stamping and rapid prototyping in Minneapolis, MN, contact Thomas Engineering Company at (763) 533-1501.

Tags: Rapid Prototyping ·


 

One response to “Prototype Fidelity with Rapid Prototyping in Minneapolis, MN”

  1. […] data is used as a base for the direction our engineers will take when producing any specific part. Prototypes, troubleshooting, and final parts rely on the day-to-day collection of […]

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