Hybrid design prototyping method using coupling 3D printing and Meccano construction kits

Prototyping is a critical and essential activity in the product development process and can be described as the activity of engaging with the product-to-be, instantiating the design process. A computer simulation approach has been used to investigate combining of low-cost 3D printing and Meccano® construction kit bricks as hybrid design prototyping method in a looks-like prototypes of user-driven products. The two key benefits metrics hypothesized are reduced fabrication time and increased reconfigurability. It is a deterministic problem with a large number of variations to consider. As a result, no variance in simulation results can occur from repetition, and each simulation need only be run once. Three models of a dynamic toy car have been prototyped as single solid 3D printing, single 3D printing with meshed interiors, and hybrid 3D printing and Meccano® construction kit. The comparison of three type of prototypes as the results shows a reduction in fabrication time of 30%, reduced material (filament) of 25% and reduced weight of 25%. Time and material costs reduction, accelerating the product development process may be concluded.

کلیدواژه ها:

hybrid design prototyping ، product development ، design process ، simulation ، industrial design.