Basic Introduction
The development level of mold production is an important indicator to measure the ability of mechanical manufacturing. Molds are also called “the mother of industry”; prototypes, as the “first of industry”, also occupy a pivotal position in industrial manufacturing. There is an important link in mold manufacturing, called prototype, also known as the first prototype or prototype model. In all walks of life, whenever a product appears before mold manufacturing, it requires a fixed link from prototype proofing to small batch trial production. Today, let’s talk about ABS prototype models and their common applications .
What is a prototype?
Prototype , in layman’s terms, refers to a small number of verification samples made before the product is finalized. Prototype is the first step to verify the feasibility of the product. Usually, a small trial production is required to find out the deficiencies in the batch and improve them. It is the most direct and effective way to find out the defects, deficiencies and drawbacks of the designed product, so as to make targeted improvements, reduce the risk of direct mold opening and save costs.
According to the materials used in the production, prototypes can be divided into plastic prototypes, silicone prototypes, and metal prototypes. Among them, plastic prototypes are one of the most common and popular types of prototypes on the market . The application field of plastic prototypes is very wide, covering almost all industries that require prototype production, whether it is electronic products, auto parts, medical equipment, toys and other fields, you can see plastic prototypes.
ABS prototype
In terms of material selection, commonly used materials for plastic prototypes are: ABS, PC, PP, PMMA, POM, high temperature resistant materials (such as bakelite, black PC, PA), etc. ABS materials are generally used for conventional product prototypes . ABS is copolymerized from three monomers: acrylonitrile (A), butadiene (B), and styrene (S). It has good heat resistance, high surface hardness, good dimensional stability, chemical resistance and electrical properties, easy molding and machining, etc. It is a “tough, hard, rigid” material with easy raw materials, excellent comprehensive performance, low price, and wide application. It is one of the most widely used materials in plastic prototypes .
The “ABS prototype model” that people often mention refers to a prototype model made of ABS material through CNC (computer numerical control technology), which is widely used in prototype models in industrial design, automobiles, aircraft and other fields.
Advantages of ABS prototypes
Excellent physical properties
The ABS prototype model exhibits extraordinary impact resistance, heat resistance, low temperature resistance, and excellent chemical resistance, ensuring the stability and durability of the model in various environments.
Ideal processing characteristics
ABS prototypes perform well during processing, and their relative density is stable at around 1.05, effectively preventing moisture absorption. When large and complex parts need to be disassembled for processing, the disassembled parts are very firmly bonded and do not affect the overall strength, making it the preferred material for disassembly processing.
Flexible and diverse processing methods
ABS prototype models support a variety of processing methods (such as CNC precision processing, etc.). Its easy processing characteristics not only improve the production efficiency, but also reduce costs, and it is cost-effective.
Easy post-processing and diverse appearance
The post-processing process of ABS prototype models is simple and quick. The surface color is usually beige, and the material itself is very easy to color, so it is easy to produce prototypes in a variety of colors to meet the diverse customization needs of customers. At the same time, the ABS surface is easy to grind and polish, and can easily achieve a high-gloss effect, improving the overall texture of the model.
Application of ABS prototype models
Auto Parts
The strength and toughness of ABS makes it ideal for prototypes of automotive parts, such as dashboards and door handles, which can help engineers evaluate the feasibility of designs before actual production.
Electronic product housing
The good dimensional stability and surface treatment ability of ABS material make it suitable for making shell prototypes of electronic products such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. These models help to verify the appearance design and assembly structure of the products.
Home Appliance Models
In the home appliance industry, ABS prototypes are used to make models of products such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners to evaluate the exterior design, internal structure layout, and functionality.
Medical device models
ABS prototypes play an important role in the design verification of medical devices, such as surgical tools, diagnostic equipment, ventilators, etc., to ensure the safety and ergonomic design of the products.
Toy Models
The toughness of ABS material makes it an ideal choice for making toy prototypes, such as remote control cars, robot models, etc., which can help designers evaluate the appearance and structure before mass production.
Aerospace Models
The light weight and strength of ABS material make it suitable for making models of small drones, aircraft, etc. to evaluate aerodynamic design and structural strength.
