Editing Prototype (section)

== Engineering sciences ==
In technology research, a [[technology demonstrator]] is a prototype serving as [[proof-of-concept]] and demonstration model for a new technology or future product, proving its viability and illustrating conceivable applications.

In large development projects, a [[testbed]] is a platform and prototype development environment for rigorous experimentation and testing of new technologies, components, scientific theories and computational tools.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YEpAYyIRlbEC|title=Designing for Networked Communications: Strategies and Development: Strategies and Development|last=Simon|first=Heilesen|date=2007-01-31|publisher=Idea Group Inc (IGI)|isbn=9781599040714|language=en}}</ref>

With recent advances in computer modeling it is becoming practical to eliminate the creation of a physical prototype (except possibly at greatly reduced scales for promotional purposes), instead modeling all aspects of the final product as a [[computer model]]. An example of such a development can be seen in [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]], in which the first full sized physical realization is made on the series production line. Computer modeling is now being extensively used in automotive design, both for form (in the [[Automotive design|styling and aerodynamics]] of the vehicle) and in function—especially for improving vehicle [[crashworthiness]] and in weight reduction to improve mileage.

=== Mechanical and electrical engineering ===

The most common use of the word prototype is a functional, although experimental, version of a non-military machine (e.g., automobiles, domestic appliances, consumer electronics) whose designers would like to have built by [[mass production]] means, as opposed to a [[mockup]], which is an inert representation of a machine's appearance, often made of some non-durable substance.

An electronics designer often builds the first prototype from [[breadboard]] or [[stripboard]] or [[perfboard]], typically using "DIP" packages.

However, more and more often the first functional prototype is built on a "prototype [[Printed circuit board|PCB]]" almost identical to the production PCB, as PCB manufacturing prices fall and as many components are not available in [[Dual in-line package|DIP]] packages, but only available in [[Surface-mount technology|SMT]] packages optimized for placing on a PCB.

Builders of military machines and aviation prefer the terms "experimental" and "service test".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=upHlAAAAMAAJ|title=International Military Digest|last1=Willcox|first1=Cornélis De Witt|last2=Stuart|first2=Edwin Roy|date=1918|publisher=Cumulative digest corporation|language=en}}</ref>

=== Electronics ===
{{excerpt|Electronics prototyping}}