Product engineering · Switzerland
Prototyping.
DOMTEKNIKA develops prototypes to test ideas in use, verify mechanisms and prepare the next stages of product development.
Discuss your requirementsTechnical insight
Which prototype supports which decision?
A prototype can explore movement, support user trials or prepare for manufacturing. The question being answered determines the material, process and level of finish required. Choosing what you want to learn helps direct the investment.
| Prototype type | The question it explores | Still to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of principle | Does the proposed motion or mechanism work? | Final space requirements, durability and manufacturing. |
| User trial | Do handling, access and user actions work as intended? | Material performance and production repeatability. |
| Production representative | Are assembly and behaviour consistent with the intended process? | Process variation and the tests needed for production release. |
A challenge, a real project
Aventor
Three- and four-wheel concepts brought to physical prototypes.
Aventor began in 2012 as an internal project. DOMTEKNIKA developed its electrical and mechanical architectures, studied three- and four-wheel configurations and built physical prototypes. The project shows the progression from a concept to a complete system, before a separate startup was established.
View project
When to involve us
Get practical answers before committing to the next development stage.
- Verify a function or movement
- Test ergonomics and component integration
- Improve an existing prototype
Our approach
A prototype should answer a specific question: verify a movement, test ergonomics or demonstrate a function. We define what must be validated before choosing its construction and level of finish.
Choose what to test
Define the question and observation criteria.
Build the useful prototype
Match materials and finish to the planned test.
Test and iterate
Document observations and necessary design changes.
What you receive
- Prototype or demonstrator suited to the need
- Validation points and test observations
- Design revisions for the next development stage
Testing informs design iterations. A functional demonstrator and a production-representative part serve different purposes; the scope is tailored to the decision you need to make.
We agree the scope, tests and deliverables with you before work begins.
Frequently asked questions.
Explore the full FAQShowing questions 1–6 of 7
Must a prototype look like the final product?
Not always. A simple assembly may be enough to check a movement. Representative form and ergonomics matter when testing product use.
Is a working prototype ready for production?
Not necessarily. Materials, tolerances, assembly and the production process may need a separate industrialisation stage.
What can you test with a prototype?
A prototype can check a mechanism, handling, available space or component integration. Tests are chosen for the decision to be made, with explicit limits related to the material and how the prototype was made.
Why build several versions?
Each test can reveal something to improve or an assumption to revisit. Successive versions make it possible to test changes and develop the design using concrete observations.
Can you improve an existing prototype?
Yes. We examine its construction, results and the difficulties encountered. Changes are then focused on the functions or operating conditions that still need checking.
How do you know whether a test is successful?
Before testing, define the function, operating conditions and expected result. Observations can then inform a decision: keep the solution, adapt it or carry out another test.
How can we evaluate how people actually use the product?
The prototype and tests should represent the actions and conditions being assessed. Having relevant users handle the product can reveal difficulties with handling, understanding or assembly, which can then guide design changes.
For our first conversation
.What should your next prototype demonstrate?
Your sketches, models and existing test results will help us define what to test and choose a prototype suited to the decision you need to make.
Discuss your requirements