A functional prototype is the most basic working prototype built to validate a product design. Additionally, it is an integral part of the assembly, testing, piloting, and market research process that evaluates design, materials, strength, tolerances, assembly, work mechanisms, manufacturability. Manufactured with several prototyping techniques and engineering-grade materials, functional prototypes are alternatives to finished products, allowing examination and testing on form, fitness, and functionality under extreme working conditions to improve designs.

At PCBWay, we provide you solutions to create a precise and detailed functional prototype for quick, economical, and low-risk product testing and evaluation. With advanced rapid prototyping technology, we bring your design to life in a few days. We offer expert advice covering testing, assembly, functionality, or starting points for downstream manufacturing service.

As such, you gain full design validation in functional testing and confidently implement full production. Functional prototype fabrication techniques include CNC machining, 3D Printing, vacuum re-molding, rapid aluminum molding, etc.

Vacuum casting is ideal for low volume production of a functional prototype (10 to 50 copies). Choose polyurethane materials with different physical properties to meet functional tests under conditions, like mechanical load, thermal load, other reliability tests. Additionally, obtain production-like results, including colour, finish, texture, and soft-hand feel.

A low-volume prototype is not only the best method to save time. But also most excellent for testing form-fit and preliminary markets. Though it cannot match the end function of a final product. It manufactures hundreds even thousands of functional prototypes in the quickest time. Besides, it provides on-demand low-volume manufacturing for end-user parts.
This fast and cost-effective plastic molding method not only manufactures hundreds of functional test prototypes close to the final product, but also provides production of end-use parts on demand.