Before making a prototype, ask five things first
The prototype is not the last step of taking photos for the customer, but an inspection before the next investment. Before production, clearly explain the goals, versions, materials, acceptance and modification arrangements, so that the prototype will not become "made, but not verified."
Before making a prototype, first confirm these five questions
Let’s look at the conclusion first
- A prototype round corresponds to a clear set of questions.
- Materials and processing methods are determined by the test objectives.
- Acceptance records must be returned to drawing and model versions.
First question: What exactly do you want to prove?
外观、握持、装配、功能和强度，不一定要靠同一个样机验证。客户准备做一款便携设备时，第一轮也许只需要确认拿取和重量分配；若已经进入功能开发，就不能只靠空壳证明整机体验。
我们会先把验证目标写成具体动作或检查项，例如按键能否够到、连接器能否插拔、外壳能否按顺序装上。目标越清晰，越容易判断哪些地方必须认真做、哪些地方暂时可以简化。
Second question: Which version is this round based on?
外观文件、结构文件与采购器件不一致，是样机沟通中很容易忽略的问题。制作前应冻结本轮文件，记录版本号，确认关键器件是否为实物尺寸，而不是来自早期概念的占位图。
如果某个接口还在变化，就把它列为待定项，而不要让加工方自行猜测。样机发现问题后也要知道是哪一版数据产生的，否则修改很可能丢失，或被下一次导出覆盖。
Question 3: Can the material answer the test questions?
展示型材料能够帮助确认比例，但不必然代表最终材料的耐温、强度、摩擦和长期表现。外观喷涂也可能遮住原本需要观察的变形或配合问题。
选择工艺时，应把目标材料、使用条件和希望得到的结论一起说明。必要时将外观样机与功能样机分开，避免为了追求一次成型的完整效果，反而增加成本却没有获得可靠判断。
Question 4: Who will do the inspection and how to record it?
“看起来差不多”不适合承担关键尺寸和装配验收。建议提前列出检查位置、操作步骤和判定依据，由产品、结构及使用相关人员一起确认，照片、尺寸与现象分别记录。
若涉及真实用户体验，应让目标使用者独立完成任务，避免工作人员不断提示。若涉及性能或安全要求，则应安排对应专业验证，不将一次演示当作全面测试。
Question 5: How does the result change the next step?
制作前就应约定问题确认、修改与复测的安排。样机出现问题并不意味着制作没有价值；相反，能在模具或批量投入之前发现问题，才是这一阶段的意义。
评审后区分必须修正、可以后续优化和暂时保留的事项，回写到模型、图纸与采购条件中。确认关键问题已被关闭，再决定是否推进开模或下一轮样机。
An effective prototype should make the team more confident about the next step. Write the questions first, then make a prototype, and finally use the records to decide whether to continue investing.
Reference sources and caliber
The product judgments in this article are compiled by the co-creators and do not represent the views of the source institution. Date of verification of statistical and technical data:2026-09-20; When it comes to specific projects, it still needs to be confirmed based on the sample, process and delivery requirements.