C hapter 3 the Design Context
74
As part of the design efforts we’ve noted, various kinds of experimental prototypes may also be made during this stage. These prototypes serve to test one aspect or another of a design and help in
the refinement and integration process. They may be functional
prototypes that work as intended but are not yet physically packaged in their final anticipated physical form. These prototypes serve
many broader roles as well, including fostering communication
with all members of the design team (and with management and
clients as well). Alpha prototypes are built using part geometry and
intended final materials but are not necessarily fabricated in the
same way intended for final production processes or by using the
same machines. As part of this process, several competing final-use
materials may still be tried for different parts. Actual material testing
could occur, in which products are placed in intended-use environments that are known to be difficult (e.g., a high-temperature environment). The look, feel, and performance of the alpha prototype,
however, must match its final production descendant.
Beta prototypes are further developed and normally use parts produced directly by the actual production processes intended for use.
Individual parts, however, might be assembled differently. Beta
testing by the user community within its own operational environments is widely acknowledged as a good way of debugging the final
design and uncovering any reliability problems. Final design corrections are subsequently made.
The final stage of production design involves making initial runs
of the product, normally done using the actual intended production process. Initial runs are quite carefully monitored for production quality. Some units may be again placed into a user context
for further evaluation and testing. Normally production levels are
quite small at first while process bugs are worked out and the
workforce is trained. In combination with a marketing and distribution plan timetable, the product then goes into higher-volume
production and is subsequently officially launched.
structured Design processes in relation
to Materials
Despite the complexities of overall development process issues
we’ve discussed, specific material characteristics remain fundamental shapers of the design result. Some design problems can be
very limited in scope and dictated primarily by the technical
properties of various materials. By contrast, there are also more
open-ended design problems in which many external factors might
74
As part of the design efforts we’ve noted, various kinds of experimental prototypes may also be made during this stage. These prototypes serve to test one aspect or another of a design and help in
the refinement and integration process. They may be functional
prototypes that work as intended but are not yet physically packaged in their final anticipated physical form. These prototypes serve
many broader roles as well, including fostering communication
with all members of the design team (and with management and
clients as well). Alpha prototypes are built using part geometry and
intended final materials but are not necessarily fabricated in the
same way intended for final production processes or by using the
same machines. As part of this process, several competing final-use
materials may still be tried for different parts. Actual material testing
could occur, in which products are placed in intended-use environments that are known to be difficult (e.g., a high-temperature environment). The look, feel, and performance of the alpha prototype,
however, must match its final production descendant.
Beta prototypes are further developed and normally use parts produced directly by the actual production processes intended for use.
Individual parts, however, might be assembled differently. Beta
testing by the user community within its own operational environments is widely acknowledged as a good way of debugging the final
design and uncovering any reliability problems. Final design corrections are subsequently made.
The final stage of production design involves making initial runs
of the product, normally done using the actual intended production process. Initial runs are quite carefully monitored for production quality. Some units may be again placed into a user context
for further evaluation and testing. Normally production levels are
quite small at first while process bugs are worked out and the
workforce is trained. In combination with a marketing and distribution plan timetable, the product then goes into higher-volume
production and is subsequently officially launched.
structured Design processes in relation
to Materials
Despite the complexities of overall development process issues
we’ve discussed, specific material characteristics remain fundamental shapers of the design result. Some design problems can be
very limited in scope and dictated primarily by the technical
properties of various materials. By contrast, there are also more
open-ended design problems in which many external factors might