Activity 2.4: Building and Virtually Testing your Prototype

• Pose Question:  What does it mean to prototype?

  • • • Possible narrative:

      • A prototype is a version of a final product that can be used for testing. Designers only make a few prototypes at a time.  They use them to help them make decisions about changes they need to make.  

      • Prototypes include detailed drawings, models, mock-ups, 3D prints, and other physical artifacts. The key is that a prototype is testable—you might not be able to test every requirement with a given prototype, but it keeps you from investing too much time in a solution that isn’t going to work.

      • Your 3D model will serve as your first prototype for the next client design meeting before it is printed on the 3D printer.

Continue to monitor students as they design their model:

• • As students work, they should reflect on their process and, if needed, update their requirements based on issues that arise. They should then return to the Understanding page to add the new requirements before proceeding.

  • When they have completed their 3D Model of the design solution students should access the Prototype page of the EDPL and add a prototype using the "+ Add Prototype" button.  3D Modeling Software files are prototypes (detailed technical drawings.)

  • They should give their prototype a name, and choose the design concept that they decided was the best from the drop-down menu.

  • Students should add an image of their completed model to the Prototype entry in the image box in the EDPL.

• Pose question: How can you test whether a prototype meets all the requirements?

  • Walk the class through the Test Procedures page in the EDPL, where they will create tests and define the procedures for those tests.  Students can follow along on their computers as you project the page on the screen.  They will create a test for each requirement

• Steps for creating tests:

  • Push the "+ Add Test Procedure" button.

  • On the drop-down menu, students should select the requirement that they want to record a test procedure for.

    • The test for whether requirements related to client preference are met can consist of a meeting with the client where they review whether the prototype satisfies the preferences.

    • Note that a single test might provide results for multiple requirements.  For example, if there are multiple requirements about client preference, these can all be addressed at one client meeting.

  • Give the test a name. 

  • The EDPL asks the criteria, if the test is pass/fail (e.g. Boolean), or numeric. 

    • If Boolean, the test will be a pass or fail without any quantifiable pieces.

      • For example, does it meet with client satisfaction? 

    • If Numeric, students will enter the condition (>,<,...), a pass condition (value limit), and unit of measure.

      • For example, does the width equal the specified value?  Is the holder smaller than the limit placed on it in the RFP?

  • Students should write the procedure for each test.  They can add multiple steps, as needed. This should be a step by step guide to how the test is to be performed.

  • Repeat until all of the requirements have tests associated with them. 

In this case, the 3D drawing that students have created is their prototype.  They will test it through measurement and through a client meeting.

• Students should go to the Test Trials page of the EDPL, and click on "+ Add Test Trial" to identify the prototype they are testing.

• For each test trial, include the results.

Client Update Meeting test

• • Students should meet with their client and share the current prototype or model.

  • If the client has suggestions or changes, these should be noted in the reflection box associated with that test.  In that case students should indicate that the prototype did not pass the client test.  They should then return to the 3D design software, make the modification, create a second prototype, and repeat the test.

• Once the design is complete and the client has approved, the students will present the design and verification of measurements to the teacher prior to printing.

• After approving the design, set up the file for printing.

• You should strive to have as many models as possible on a 3D printer plate.  It will take some time to print all of the student’s models.