Prototyping is where the product development process becomes really exciting! The value of visualizing and testing your product in the real world is priceless, and there are a number of methods to choose from to visualize your goals .
PRODUCTWORKX has deep expertise in everything from traditional soft goods, rigid soft goods, consumer products, sports & lifestyle to medical products. Whether you are looking to generate interest for seed funding, validate your concept idea, or are ready for full scale DFM (Design for Manufacturing), we are here to help you navigate your options.
Our goal is not to simply make prototypes, but to provide a valuable feedback loop into production. Very often prototypes will be made in the same secure manufacturing facilities that may take your concept into production. We are able to do this through our own facilities in China, and we have also developed strategic partnerships with some of the most qualified factories and suppliers in the world. These partnerships allow us to tackle tooling and production challenges in a wide range of industries. If you are a startup looking to launch a new product, or a established business looking to team up with a reliable development partner, we have you covered.
Soft Goods & Rigid Soft GoodsMeticulously hand crafted cut & sew products add a level of elegance and warmth that not many other traditional materials can. Not to mention opening up a vast array of new finish options. The new trend of combining soft goods with traditional hard goods has the ability to connect a consumer to products in a way that was not possible before. 2D and 3D knitting, combined with heat press bonding and forming technique, allow for amazing new possibilities, and this is not you grandmothers knitting!
Working with soft goods has different constraints when compared to working with typical plastics or engineered products. Using the same technique’s in the prototyping phase as you would in production is critical when constructing soft, or rigid-soft goods samples. Materials and techniques can also vary greatly, we can help walk you through the option. |
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Appearance ModelsIf a picture is worth a 1000 words, then an appearance model is worth a thousand pictures. Nothing brings out the uniqueness in your design like an appearance model.
Appearance models can be functional or non-functioning models. They are an accurate representation of how your product will appear in production. Appearance models are often cnc’d out of a similar material to what would be used in production. Then they may be vacuum metallized, painted, coated or even wrapped in fabric or leather to mimic the final production appearance. These are high fidelity models which can be used for photography, marketing material or “show & tell” presentations to generate interest for seed funding, gain consumer acceptance, or even generating pre-sales. |
Functional PrototypesThese may be used to simulate functionality or any design element of your concept. Whether testing for human factors, mechanical features, scale or any other design element choosing the correct method will have an impact on your budget and outcome.
Functional prototypes may test a sub component of your design or the entire product depending on complexity and need. The may also be functional appearance models. |
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Volumetric StudiesWorking purely in CAD can be deceiving. It’s always good practice to create a volume study to get a better understanding of your design.
Whether you are testing fitment, sizing requirements or human interaction in a real-world environment, volume studies have enormous value. They can be as simple as a foam models, 3-D prints, CNC or any other method that’s applicable to the design. Correct material and construction technique selection will ensure you are getting the best results for the intended purpose and budge. . |
Breadboard Models Breadboard models are a method for evaluating the base functionality electronic components to be used in hardware products.
These may take the form of rewiring basic off the shelf electrical components, to open source microcontroller kits, though to complex system architectures, custom PCB's, firmware and software. |
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Short & Full Production RunsYour product may require a short run production in order to mitigate risk prior to committing to a full production run.
We have a vast array of processes at our disposal for manufacturing. This along with the ability to produce anything from one off prototypes through to products in the thousands per day, gives you the ability to confidently scale production as required. . |
Materials & Process
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Material Options (Addition options upon request):
• ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene • PPA - Polyphthalamide • PC - Polycarbonate • PP - Polypropelene • PA - Polyamidemn
• POM - Polyoxymethylenen • PMMA - Polymethyl • Methacrylate • EVA - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate • PE - Polyethelene
• HDPE - High-density Polyethylene • Silica Gel • TPE • Silicone • Aluminum • Steel • Carbon fiber • Magnesium
• POM - Polyoxymethylenen • PMMA - Polymethyl • Methacrylate • EVA - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate • PE - Polyethelene
• HDPE - High-density Polyethylene • Silica Gel • TPE • Silicone • Aluminum • Steel • Carbon fiber • Magnesium
