The role of additive technologies in the prototyping issues of design

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to argue about the involvement of additive technologies (ATs) in the prototyping issues of designing. More precisely, it reviews the literature contributions focused on the different perspectives of prototyping activities for design purposes, searching for both available knowledge and research needs concerning the correct exploitation of ATs. Design/methodology/approach A two-step literature review has been performed. In the first step, general information has been retrieved about prototyping issues related to design. In the second step, the literature searches were focused on retrieving more detailed information about ATs, concerning each of the main issues identified in the previous step. Extracted information has been analyzed and discussed for understanding the actual coverage of the arguments and for identifying possible research needs. Findings Four generally valid prototyping issues have been identified in the first step of the literature review. For each of them, available information and current lacks have been identified and discussed about the involvement of AT, allowing to extract six different research hints for future works. Originality/value This is the first literature review concerning AT-focused contributions that cover the complex and inter-disciplinary issues characterizing prototyping activities in design contexts.

Progress and Challenges in Generative Product Design: A Review of Systems

“…It should also be noted that CAD models can be considered virtual prototypes. However, whether prototypes (including both physical and virtual prototypes) aid or obstruct creativity and the general design process is still debated [86].…”

Innovative process and technology for the production of wood mulch

“…The values refer to the steric cube meters of processed raw material, and are used to calculate the reduction of the gross economic value that can be extracted from the processed wood. (Figure 2), it is currently impossible to make a reliable estimate, because the grinder was a single prototype and its related production costs were those for the proof of concept and might, therefore, be very different from those of the final system (Carfagni et al, 2018). However, the grinder project remains under development, and the system will need to be redesigned at a larger scale to comply with real process requirements (which remain to be identified by the consortium staff).…”

Unveiling the Multiple and Complex Faces of Fidelity

“…For example, physical prototypes can be manufactured manually (e.g. foam, paper or wire models), with classical materialsubtracting technologies, or with additive ones (Carfagni et al, 2018). Moreover, prototypes can be virtually realized, visualized and evaluated by means of CAE tools, where virtual and/or augmented reality can be used (also in a mixed way with physical models) to enhance interactions with stakeholders and for different purposes (e.g.…”

“…However, sometimes the selection of the most suited prototyping technology can be quite complex. For example, Additive Manufacturing technologies (AT) are currently spreading and their use for prototyping purposes constitutes a valid and well known resource (Carfagni et al, 2018). Nevertheless, the presence of a vast and continuously evolving variety of printers and materials, leads to non-negligible selection difficulties.…”