prototyping

USAGE SUMMARY

'prototyping' is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
It refers to the process of creating a model of something, such as a machine or product, to use for testing or experimentation. For example, "The engineers at the company are currently prototyping a new type of jet engine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

For now they are used mainly for prototyping and for complex parts, but in future they will increasingly make final products too.Robots are already making a difference to the share of labour in total costs.

The Economist

It enables the production of a single item quickly and cheaply and then another one after the design has been refined.For many years 3D printers were used in this way for prototyping, mainly in the aerospace, medical and automotive industries.

The Economist

"Samsung is prototyping in public," says Mr Wood.

The Economist

That means everything from prototyping to developing reliable manufacturing processes in a production environment to paying for clinical trials (in the case of health care, a major nano-market).

The Economist

The whole production, from prototyping, moulding and packaging the product, will be done in Germany.

Independent

We're also working on a major exhibition that opens in 2014 which has seen us prototyping transparent LCD screens where we're almost building showcases out of screens so content can appear in front of the object or behind the object so it's always in your field of vision".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rapid-prototyping machines have, for example, shortened the casting process for facial and cranial plates used in reconstructive surgery, says Robin Richards at the department of medical physics at University College, London.

The Economist

Rapid-prototyping equipment, such as 3D printers, can quickly give the ideas shape.

The Economist

It also means smaller incisions are necessary, says Andy Christensen of Medical Modelling, the Colorado-based company that modelled the Egyptian twins.So far, however, the rapid-prototyping machine simply produces an accurately shaped mould from which the plate is cast.

The Economist

Often, in the case of jaw or face plates, the only way to make the mould is to take a plaster cast of the outside of the patient's head, says Dr Richards.But with a rapid-prototyping machine it is possible to produce a cast more quickly and accurately, using CT scans.

The Economist

Some enthusiasts point to 2005 as a crucial year: that was when work began on devices such as the RepRap (a rapid-prototyping machine that will, its makers hope, be able to replicate itself) and the TuxPhone, an open, Linux-powered mobile-phone.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the process of "prototyping", be specific about the type of prototype (e.g., software, hardware, paper) and its intended purpose (e.g., user testing, proof of concept).

Common error

Avoid presenting "prototyping" as the end goal. It is an iterative process meant for refinement, not the final product.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prototyping" is as a noun, often used to describe the activity or process of creating prototypes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a widely accepted term in English. Examples show it used both generally and specifically, such as "Samsung is prototyping in public."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academic

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "prototyping" is a well-established and frequently used noun that describes the process of creating models for testing and refinement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly accepted in English. Ludwig's examples reveal its widespread application in diverse contexts, from news and media to science and business. When using "prototyping", be mindful of the specific context and purpose to ensure clarity, differentiating it from final production. Consider alternatives like "model creation" or "early testing" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary version

Stresses that the release is just a first take.

model creation

Focuses on the act of creating a model, highlighting the initial stage of development.

proof of concept

Focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of an idea before full-scale development.

mock-up generation

Emphasizes the creation of a scale or full-size model of a design or device, used for teaching, demonstration, design evaluation, promotion, and other purposes.

early testing

Emphasizes the testing phase of a product's development using preliminary versions.

formative design

Emphasizes the preliminary formation of a product.

rapid development

Highlights the speed and efficiency of creating initial versions.

experimental design

Refers to designing experiments to test early versions of a product or system.

trial version

Highlights the creation of a product version that is used for limited use or testing

blueprint creation

Highlights the planning stage of the production.

FAQs

How is "prototyping" used in a sentence?

"Prototyping" is used to describe the process of creating early models to test and refine a design. For example, "The team is currently prototyping a new user interface."

What are some alternatives to the word "prototyping"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "prototyping" include "model creation", "early testing", or "proof of concept".

What is rapid prototyping?

Rapid prototyping refers to quickly creating a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) data. It is often done using 3D printing or other additive manufacturing techniques.

What are the benefits of prototyping?

Prototyping allows teams to identify and address design flaws early, gather user feedback, and explore different design options before committing to a final product. It can save time and resources in the long run.