Prototype Classification

A. Prototypes can be divided into plastic prototypes, silicone prototypes, and metal prototypes according to the materials used in their production:

(1) Plastic prototypes: The raw material is plastic, and they are mainly prototypes of some plastic products, such as televisions, monitors, telephones, etc.

(2) Silicone prototypes: The raw material is silicone, and they are mainly prototypes that display the design and appearance of products, such as cars, mobile phones, toys, handicrafts, daily necessities, etc.

(3) Metal prototypes: The raw materials are metal materials such as aluminum-magnesium alloys, and they are mainly prototypes of some high-end products, such as laptops, high-end single-player machines, MP3 players, CD players, etc.

B. According to the effects to be achieved, they can be divided into appearance prototypes, structural prototypes, and functional prototypes:

(1) Appearance prototypes: mainly test the appearance design of the product, requiring exquisite appearance and accurate color, and not requiring high internal processing.

(2) Structural prototypes: mainly test the structural rationality of the product, with high requirements for size and relatively low requirements for appearance. Foreign countries have particularly strict requirements for this type of prototype.

(3) Functional prototypes: require the realization of the same appearance, structure and function as the real product. It can be understood as a finished product that has not been launched on the market. It is the most demanding and difficult type of prototype.