The prototype is called a "prototype" because early models were made by hand. Hand board is also called head board. It is the prototype of the product. The prototype was introduced from Taiwan in the early days and is commonly referred to as a template, model, validation piece, sample piece, and so on. People are just used to the term 'hand board'. The development of modern technology has led to a rapid growth in the production of products and a well-developed manufacturing industry, resulting in significant progress in the prototype industry. Modern prototyping combines technology, electronics, computer technology, etc., making prototyping more precise and of higher quality. The prototype is not an official product, but its function is very significant. Firstly, the prototype reflects the designer's design. Secondly, the prototype can be used to inspect whether the product has defects. Thirdly, the prototype can be used for sample display.
The difference between early and modern prototypes:
In the early days of the prototype industry, due to limitations in technology, equipment, materials, and techniques, most of the structures of prototypes were handmade. The obtained prototype has a large error compared to the actual size. The effect is even worse in terms of aesthetics and practicality. Modern prototype production uses new materials, and its biggest feature is the combination of modern technology. The rise of CAD and CAM technology has provided software support for prototype production. CNC machine tools provide hardware support for prototype production. The CNC machine tool makes the prototype more accurate, able to reach plus or minus 0.01mm. This greatly improves the accuracy of the prototype. Due to the characteristics of prototyping itself and the development of technology, prototyping has become an industry specialized in making product models.
The prototype is classified as follows:
Handboards can be divided into the following four categories based on their production methods. 1. Handmade prototype: A prototype made primarily by hand. 2. CNC prototype: It is a prototype made by computer digital machine tools, characterized by fast forming and high precision. 3. RP prototype: PR parts are models made using laser rapid prototyping method. 4. 3D printing: Using rapid prototyping technology to create a three-dimensional prototype.
In the prototype industry, RP prototypes and CNC prototypes each have their own characteristics and disadvantages. RP prototype parts are mainly objects formed layer by layer using rapid prototyping technology, and their accuracy is not very high. And CNC prototypes can be directly controlled by computer numerical control to accurately match the drawings. The surface quality of CNC prototype parts is relatively high. After a series of post-processing, its model looks very beautiful just like a real product. So, CNC prototyping is the core of prototyping production.