Prototyping is used in engineering to test the functionality of a part or device. A prototype is an original type, form, or instance of something serving as a typical example, basis, or standard for other things of the same category.
The most common use of the word prototype is a functional, although experimental, version of a non-military machine (e.g., automobiles, domestic appliances, consumer electronics) whose designers would like to have built by mass production means, as opposed to a mockup, which is an inert representation of a machine's appearance, often made of some non-durable substance.
For those working on more complicated appropriate technology prototyping facilities are sometimes necessary for the more complex components if they are not already available commercially. The following fabrication laboratories might be useful for demonstrating open source technology.
RepRap 3D printers are an extremely inexpensive way to do prototyping for many projects - as the RepRap community has now developed open-source metal 3d printers there are few limitations remaining to use the technology to do most rapid prototyping work.
SSBX Fab Lab[edit | edit source]
Sustainable South Bronx has a Fab lab which can be used to do some 2D work with a laser cutter AND a shopbot (CNC router for a 4'x8' plywood).
Ponoko[edit | edit source]
Commercially Ponoko allows you to upload EPS files and will give you a quote for laser cutting several different materials. Ponoko beleives that the post-industrial revolution is changing the way products are created, traded and distributed. Now everyone can engage in the manufacturing process through their PCs - bringing personal manufacturing of individualized products to the masses. Ponoko is basically an online space for a community of creators and consumers to use a global network of digital manufacturing hardware to co-create, make and trade individualized product ideas on demand.
- A review at Treehugger
Pages in category "Prototyping"[edit | edit source]
- 3D printable OSAT gallery
- 3D printed 0.5in drive speed brace
- 3D printed 14-day pill dispenser
- 3D printed 7up bicycle part
- 3D printed PET bottle shredder
- 3D printed acorn sheller
- 3D printed backpack snap-fit clips
- 3D printed bike grips
- 3D printed bike handlebar plug
- 3D printed bike pedal
- 3D printed bike seat
- 3D printed cider press
- 3D printed digital balance
- 3D printed dual axis gimbal system
- 3D printed garden hose splitter
- 3D printed goniometer
- 3D printed gravity light
- 3D printed improved PET bottle stripper
- 3D printed lucky iron totems
- 3D printed otoscope
- 3D printed peristaltic pump
- 3D printed prosthetic foot
- 3D printed seed sowing tool
- 3D printed shoes
- 3D printed solar charger
- 3D printed speculum
- 3D printed surgical retractors
- 3D printing
- 3D-printed pulley
- 3D-printed tent stake
- 777 OSAT Ankle Support
- 777 OSAT projects 2014
- 777 OSAT projects 2015
- 777 OSAT projects 2016
- 777 OSAT projects 2018
- 777 OSAT projects 2019
- Adjustable Bike Mirror
- Advanced Tent Stake
- Alex Weitman OSAT Project
- Ankle Splint
- Approaches to Open Source 3-D Printable Probe Positioners and Micromanipulators for Probe Stations
- Aquaponics System
- Arctic Cat Snowmobile Choke Lever
- Athena 24V Round Heated Bed
- Athena Engraver mod
- Athena II Laser Engraver mod
- AutoInjector
- Automated plastic grinder and recycler
- Bamboo joints for house
- Bee feeder
- Beekeeping Queen Rearing Kit
- Bicycle Hub
- Bike Cargo Rack
- Bike Chain
- Bike Chain Guard
- Bike Chain Tensioner
- Bike Hub Pelton Turbine
- Bike Pedals
- Black Mamba Bike pedal
- Blind Person's Assistant
- Bottler rainwater filter
- Bow and Hand Drill Set
- Bowfishing Rest
- Brake calliper of blackmamba bicycle
- Bucket Shower
- Butterfly Handlebars for bike
- CNC Lubrication and Chip Clearing System
- Can Opener
- Car Charging Port
- Car Heater-Vent Hanger
- Cassava Press
- Changeable Garden Tool Heads
- Charcoal Holder Pen
- Chicken Feed Holder
- Chicken Feeder and waterer with adapter
- Clamps with gearing system
- Club foot Brace for Infants
- Commode
- Composite Materials Resin Mixing & Pouring Container
- Compost Toilet Hinge
- Concrete trowel
- Contoured Spigot for 5-gallon buckets
- Corn Crusher
- Corn sheller
- Cotton to yarn maker
- Crawler Harness Holder
- Custom Shovel Handle
- Customizable Bike Light Mount
- Customizable shovel handle
- Daily menstrual cycle tracker
- Dental Chair
- Design Challenge
- DremelFuge
- Drip irrigation stake
- Drone Search and Rescue supplies attachment (DJI Phantom 3)
- Drop Spindle for Spinning Wool into Yarn
- Dual Tone Air Raid\Security Siren
- Dust Mask
- Electronic Stethoscope