The construction Industry in the US has been rapidly growing. Despite the impact of the pandemic on the economy, people have been investing in real estate. If you look around, you will see a new residential or commercial building being constructed in almost every other neighborhood. It’s up to a construction company how fast they can finish a constructing a building. In order to meet tight deadlines and stay ahead of their competitors, many construction companies have started utilizing mechanical engineering design services. This blog post will discuss how rapid prototyping is benefitting the construction industry.

What is a Prototype in the Construction Industry? 

Rapid prototyping is the process of making a model or mock product in any industry. In the construction industry, a prototype is a fabricated or scaled model of an actual building before its construction. It’s used to discover and address problems before the construction begins.

Planning, Research and Development

It’s such a hassle to plan the construction of a house or building. From designing a construction project to adding details and taking safety concerns into account, there is so much that you have to do to before a construction idea is ready to be presented for approval. However, rapid prototyping allows construction companies to test multiple variants and models before coming up with a final design. They can analyze how different designs will look in reality before investing their time and money into a model. Rapid prototyping and 3D printing also allows contractors to choose a design that is the most efficient and cost-effective.

Proposing Prototypes to Investors for Approval 

Construction companies can use rapid prototyping to create 3D printed models of proposed projects. This allows them to present their ideas to investors more effectively. Just displaying a map or image isn’t good enough to present an idea of how the building will look like upon completion. However, 3D prototypes allow investors to share their concerns. Once the investors have given their feedback, the contractors can easily incorporate the desired changes and present a new model for approval.

Helps Clients Visualize the Models

3D printed models can help the potential clients visualize the completed building. Many clients get nervous when they don’t know what their building will look like after completion. However, a prototype helps them envision how it’s going to feel like living in the proposed model. Prototypes allows contractors to even convey minor details of their projects to the clients. From parking spaces, to parks and malls, everything can be presenting using a prototype.

Customization of Projects

Rapid prototyping allows contractors and clients to work together and customize their construction projects. From construction material to structure and color schemes, everything can be visualized by creating multiple prototypes. Construction companies and clients can mutually decide what they need and what they don’t need in their building.

Marketing the Projects

Most construction companies are worried about how they are going to market their projects. However, with rapid prototyping, they can fabricate multiple models of a project and present them for marketing purposes. This allows them to attract a wide audience, including individuals who cannot physically come and visit a project. Research shows that people are more attracted to something that they can visualize. This means that prototyping can also increase the likelihood of people willing to buy houses or buildings that they can visualize. However, it’s important to make sure that you hire the services of an experienced mechanical engineering design service to create attractive and appealing prototypes that people will be compelled to buy.

Saves Time and Money 

It’s nearly impossible to make any changes in a building’s model once you’ve started construction. Even if you do so, it can be very costly and time-consuming. Since rapid prototyping allows contractors to fabricate multiple models, they can begin the construction once everything has been finalized and approved. This means that they won’t have to waste their time and money in making any changes to the actual project.

Speeds Up the Process 

Rapid prototyping speeds up the planning process as you can easily create prototype models instead of spending weeks or months using traditional methods such as molding or carving out a model from stone. It also saves time that is wasted in waiting for approval because it’s easier for investors, as well as any relevant authorities to analyze a model before approval.

Improves Quality and Strength of Projects

The buildings and houses completed using rapid prototyping are better because a prototype allows you to check the model for any possible structural issues or weaknesses. Moreover, construction companies can also benefit from Finite Element Analysis to test different models for safety concerns.

Rapid Prototype Your Design

If your building is still in the development stage, getting your prototype customized 3D printed can streamline the construction process and help you avoid many problems. At Connekt, LLC, you can find an experienced team of mechanical design engineers to help you with it. They are also experienced in3D printing, injection molding, and FEA analysis.