Prototyping Disadvantages and Prototype Manufacturing Information
Prototyping Disadvantages and Prototype Manufacturing Information
Rapid prototyping is a process wherein a working model or prototype is
developed for the purpose of testing the various product features like
design, ideas, features, functionality, performance and output. This
process of development of working model is quite quick. The user can
give an early feedback regarding the prototype. Rapid prototyping is,
generally, a significant and essential part of the system designing
process and it is believed to decrease the project cost and risk.
The prototype that is developed by the process of rapid prototyping is
based on the performance of earlier designs. Hence, it is possible to
correct the defects or problems in the design by taking corrective
measures. The product can be produced if the prototype meets the
requirements of all designing objectives after sufficient refinement.
There are many advantages of rapid prototyping.
Rapid Prototyping â€"Advantages in brief: Rapid prototyping has
manifold advantages. It can provide with concept proof that would be
required for attracting funds. The prototype gives the user a fair idea
about the final look of the product. Rapid prototyping can enhance the
early visibility. It is easier to find the design flaws in the early
developmental stages. Active participation among the users and producer
is encouraged by rapid prototyping. As the development costs are
reduced, rapid prototyping proves to be cost effective. The user can
get a higher output.
The deficiencies in the earlier prototypes can be detected and
rectified in time. The speed of system development is increased. It is
possible to get immediate feedback from the user. There is better
communication between the user and designer as the requirement sand
expectations are expressed in the beginning itself. High quality
product is easily delivered by way of rapid prototyping. Rapid
prototyping enables development time and costs. There are many
innovative ways in which rapid prototyping can be used.
Despite all these benefits, there are many people who believe that there are many disadvantages of rapid prototyping.
Disadvantages of Rapid Prototyping: Some people are of the opinion that
rapid prototyping is not effective because, in actual, it fails in
replication of the real product or system. It could so happen that some
important developmental steps could be omitted to get a quick and cheap
working model. This can be one of the greatest disadvantages of rapid
prototyping. Another disadvantage of rapid prototyping is one in which
many problems are overlooked resulting in endless rectifications and
revisions. One more disadvantage of rapid prototyping is that it may
not be suitable for large sized applications.
The user may have very high expectations about the prototype’s
performance and the designer is unable to deliver these. The system
could be left unfinished due to various reasons or the system may be
implemented before it is completely ready. The producer may produce an
inadequate system that is unable to meet the overall demands of the
organization. Too much involvement of the user might hamper the
optimization of the program. The producer may be too attached to the
program of rapid prototyping, thus it may lead to legal involvement.
The cost reduction benefit of rapid prototyping also seems to be
debatable, as sufficient details regarding the calculation basis and
assumptions are not substantial.
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