One of the manufacturing services we are known for at Mavin Industries is turning customer designs into prototypes, i.e. working models of new concepts. Whether your business is in the transport sphere or another industry, if you have an idea that requires custom metal fabrication, we can “bring it to life”.
But why make just one item? Some people might argue that, if the design is good enough, you may as well make several. This article explains why – no matter how confident you are in your latest concept – it’s always safer to manufacture and test a single prototype before considering any kind of mass production.
Risk #1: Underestimating the Materials Required
The first few items on our list are logistical in nature, beginning with the fact that unless you carry out metal prototyping, you won’t know exactly what amounts of metals and other materials you will need to create the item.
Risk #2: Not Allowing Sufficient Time for Production
Sure, you can estimate the time an object will take to make based on previous products. However, steel prototyping (or aluminium prototyping) will reveal the true figure, letting you accurately forecast a time frame for producing multiple copies.
Risk #3: Underestimating the Costs Involved
A further advantage of metal prototyping is that, by the time the initial test item is done and delivered, you will have a complete picture of the financial side of things, as far as materials, man hours and any additional costs involved in creating it and getting it to you, e.g. most obviously, transport.
On a positive note, prototyping is also a chance to reconsider the materials/methods being used and determine cheaper/faster alternatives!
Risk #4: Overestimating the Product’s Performance
With steel prototyping/aluminium prototyping, you can take an idea “beyond the drawing board” and test it under actual conditions. Maybe it will perform better than you expected, perhaps it will perform worse. A prototype enables you to truly gauge the object’s performance before deciding whether to make more.
Risk #5: Overlooking a Problem with the Design
Some flaws don’t become apparent until an item is put into practice, in conjunction with other devices and subject to various external factors. You always want to discover such unforeseen problems at the prototype stage rather than post-delivering the “finished product” to market.
Risk #6: Missed Opportunity to Get Valuable Feedback
Carrying out metal prototyping and putting the working model in the hands of potential users means they can tell you what they like and don’t like about it. It’s definitely preferably to find out at this stage of the process as opposed to after you’ve committed to the design! On top of this, canvassing customer feedback generally comes with added benefits, e.g. making your clients feel more valued.
Risk #7: Missed Opportunity to Make Improvements
Following on from the previous point, feedback very often leads to improvements. Skipping prototyping could be doing a disservice to the product itself.
Need Steel Prototyping or Aluminium Prototyping?
Talk to Mavin Industries. Queensland owned and operated, we pride ourselves on delivering top work, with a fast turnaround and competitive price. Whatever your design, we can make it a reality! Phone (07) 3086 9203, email or simply use the online enquiry form.