USING PHYSICAL MODELS in DESIGN

Johan J. Broek, Wouter Sleijffers, Imre Horváth

Department of Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
e-mail: [email protected]

Alex F. Lennings
Delft Spline Systems, The Netherlands

Abstract Introduction
In the conceptual phase of designing consumer durables, A design process is a multi focal and complex process.
important decisions are made for the investment and the The designer with his abilities and experience plays an
extent of downstream efforts and activities. These important active role in that process. For his purpose he
decisions are important for the overall costs of a product can rely on methodologies, supporting tools, company
and finally for the success of the product. Although, procedures and culture, and accessible information in
virtual concept modeling is available, the application of any form. The design process will depend on the fact
physical models can be justified by the fact that these whether the design task is to redesign a product, or to
models supply a base for communication, support and extend a family of products or to develop a completely
improvement of the creativity of a designer. newly product. The complexity of the design process is
In current rapid prototyping, the focus is on physical influenced by the complexity in function and structure,
proof-of-concept models and going towards rapid and is demonstrated by the enormous amount of related
fabrication. Physical models in the conceptual design papers. A substantial part of the papers are focussed on
stage are, due to the nature of conceptualization, the development of supporting tools. Subjects like what,
different from those models, which are applied during how and when to support the activities of the designer
the detailing stage of design. Some reasons for this are are discussed. Due to the individual abilities, flavor and
vagueness and incompleteness of product models, and qualities, diversification, functionality and complexity
different model usage and design. In this paper an of products it is impossible to create one single solution
inquiry among Dutch designers explores that statement. or method for design tasks.
The first part of the inquiry showed that physical In this paper the authors will explore the optimal usage
models in the conceptual stage of design are different of physical models in conceptual and detailing design.
from those applied in the detailing stage of design. All Physical models, produced by rapid prototyping
designers recognized that. The second part of the technology, to support detailing design are commonly
inquiry explores in what way they are different. accepted and applied. It is also recognizable that
Our study brings forward that a better understanding has physical models, which are realized by rapid
to be achieved in terms of using physical concept prototyping in a conceptual design stage, are very
models supporting conceptual design. Various scarce and almost nonexistent. Reasons are the vague
applications for conceptual models are possible such as geometry and the nature of the conceptual design stage.
shape verification, communication, presentation, and In design, models are produced to answer specific
functional testing. Each model will be tailored optimal designers' questions [1]. When the conceptual model
for that usage and categories of models are recognized. provides the answer to that question and the analysis is
New dedicated prototyping technologies are needed to completed the model is wasted and the remaining value
acquire the best performance. The process needs support is maybe a capture of a part of the design process or the
from a combination of tools, like natural geometry procedure. In order to minimize the effort of fabrication,
input, useful vague geometry representations, in general a model must be created to meet as close as
representation translators towards accepted CAD possible the necessary requirements. The conceptual
formats. When these facilities are available the input for model must be tailored for that purpose.
rapid prototyping is possible. In the conceptual design stage the sequence of ideas,
However, for a feasible implementation there are also thoughts, possibilities and challenges can change
requirements for the rapid prototyping process in terms rapidly in time. Moreover the problem solving process
of turn-around time, cost, process innovation and can be characterized as being aspect oriented.
flexibility. The conditions for a feasible rapid It is in these circumstances very useful to produce
prototyping process are discussed. physical models within a short period of time to assure a
supporting contribution into the design process. Current ? design bureaus working with 3D CAD and 3D
rapid prototyping technologies will take in case of product design.
outsourcing one or more days, which time frame is ? activity of the design bureaus into: product and
acceptable for pre-production prototypes. But it will industrial design, product and concept
prevent the usage of these tools during the conceptual development, production, ergonomics and
design phase. consultancy.
Together with the time-compression in all design ? size of the bureaus
activities, concept design requires model fabrication From the about 39 design offices, which could be
facilities in house and models must be available within selected and contacted finally 50% of the offices (20
one or two hours. [2] forms) responded with a completed form. The presented
In the conceptual design stage, far-reaching decisions results are based on these responses.
are made about the final product and product From the responses about the number of employee’s is
realization. It should be advisable to have supporting noticeable that design bureau’s of 1-6 persons represent
tools like easy to produce physical models for reasoning about 55% of the responses and another 35% have 6-20
and verification of the design actions. But at the same
time, the acceptance of these facilities by the designer is Number of Design Related Employees
important for a sound implementation of rapid
60
prototyping technology in a conceptual stage of design.
The problem of applying physical models in conceptual

Response in %
design is hampered by the complexity of the character 40

of aspect development.
The goal of this paper is to establish the fact that 20

physical models in conceptual design have different

usage and characteristics then those applied in the 0
detailing design stage. Further an investigation is made 1-5 6-10 11-20 21-50 >50
into the characteristics of physical models in either Number of employees
design stage. The applied methods are a literature
survey on categories or classifications of physical Fig. 1 Number of persons per design bureau
models related to various aspects., completed by an persons (Figure 1). The offices provide a quite good
inquiry among designers about the way physical models representation of the design branch. When the data is
are used in the design process. interpreted it should be reminded that the majority of
The paper is conclude with a discussion about the usage the interviewed designers work in small offices.
of physical models, the required rapid prototyping The response of the design bureaus (Fig. 2) is a good
technology and possibilities and challenges for future representation of the group, which we are interested in.
research. The inquired designers are mainly product developers
and involved in product conceptualization, but are also
Physical model usage inquiry
In order to collect information about the extent and Company Design Bureau Activities
validity related to the different physical model types in
100
conceptual and detailing design an inquiry among Dutch
designers was prepared. The scope of the inquiry is their Response in % 75
background and in what way they are using and
integrating physical models in their design process, and 50

in what way they do make a distinction of physical

25
model usage in concept(ual) and detailing design
activities. 0
The next issues were questioned in the inquiry form:

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ult

he
ec
ns

go
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?
Co

Pd

ns
Pp

number of employee’s

Ot
Co

Er

Co
? activity domain
Fig. 2 Design bureau activities
? design tool application
? number of prototypes for product design active in various other activities. Production preparation
In the next paragraph a discussion about results of and ergonomic design activities are scoring low. The
model characteristics are presented. response “Other” fields is related to activities like
A selection from available design offices in the product identity, brand development, and product
Netherlands 39 product design bureaus were selected styling.
and contacted. The selection criteria are:
The response on the application of design tools (Fig. 3) In Figure 5 the amount of physical models produced
illustrates that implementation of virtual and physical during a product design is presented. Noticeable is that
Application of Design Tools Typical Number of Prototypes During
Product Design
100
50

Response in %
75

Response in %
50
25

25

0 0
1-2 3-5 6-10

RP

M
s

r
pe
oft
d

he
re
ca

ca

PC
sS

ha

Hp
Number of prototypes

Ot
2D

3D

Hs
Vi
Fig. 3 Implementation of design tools Fig. 5 Amount of models in product design
based tools (a distinction is made in: handmade shape 80% of the cases don’t produce more than 4 to 5
and presentation models and models produced via rapid models. However, 20% needs more than 5 models. It
prototyping) are equally applied and implemented in should be investigated whether the distinction [1] of
product modeling. The response “Other” is related to specification and prototype driven company cultures are
sketching (not explicitly mentioned in the inquiry). debit to that.
Remarkable is the score of Physical Concept Modeling The designer himself does not frequently produce
(PCM) [3] which is scarcely applied in product physical models (due to lack of facilities, time, cost, and
development, although rapid prototyping is fully effort). Model making is expensive and the useful effect
accepted as a tool. It can mean two things that there is is often not straight forward visible. So, the effect of
no need for PCM or maybe there is no notion and such an investment is questionable. And, in turn, the
known application example for PCM. Further it is application of physical models in product development
noticeable that visualization software is a very general is influenced.
applied tool. Next the response on the question: “Do you agree that
Figure 4 demonstrates that digital modeling and physical models in conceptual and detailing product
verification for a major part is done in house. Physical design are different?” is presented. Almost all designers
recognize very clearly the model difference between
Design Tool Application in House models, used in a conceptual design stage and those
used in a detailing stage of design. Now the designers
100%
approve this assumption about physical model
differences in either product design stage, it is time to
Response in %

75%
no resp
never
consider the following. When they differ, in what way
50%
occas or extent they will differ. The next we will focus on
always that. First prototypes for design support and then the
25%
properties and characteristics of the prototypes are
0% considered, in the next paragraph.
RP

r
pe

s
ft
d

he
So

re
ca

ca

PC
ha

Prototypes for design support

Hp

Ot
Vis
2D

3D

Hs

Prototypes are tools for the designer to support his

Fig. 4 Availability of tools in house endeavor to control the design process in an effective
model making shows a distinction in handmade models and natural way. He wants to obtain correct and
and rapid prototyping. The models produced by rapid supportive information as soon as possible and thisd
prototyping (RP) are almost completely fabricated will emphasize his need for all kind of models in an
outdoor, since an average design bureau can’t afford early stage of a design process. Physical models are a
large investments in rapid prototyping equipment. They powerful mean to experience shape, shape details, shape
can rely on service bureaus, which have ample compositions and functionality. Having a 3D physical
knowledge about the RP process model, it is within an instant, that all shape relations
The handmade models are produced occasionally become visible and can be seized. Human beings, of
outdoors. The fact that handmade shape models are old, are very sensitive to subtle motions and lighting of
produced in half of the bureaus in house seems to an object from which they gather shape information. A
indicate that these models are applied in the physical model is often a stimulant for creativity.
conceptualization stage. During conceptual design, designers concentrate on the
particular aspects of the artifact, either in a sequential or A literature survey made very clear that few design
in a parallel manner. So, it seems logical that the needed related literature is focussing on the usage of physical
physical models are related and tailored according to the models during the conceptual design process. From the
purposes. Nowadays, virtual prototyping is a powerful scarce literature the following can be mentioned. In
means to verify product and shape characteristics, but it Trudeau's book [6] many techniques related to the
is inevitable that physical models are needed. The fabrication of physical models are explained and
quality of a design relies on the ability to define and to illustrated with many examples. Geuer's book [7]
implement the virtual world the application domain in a describes the usage of physical models in the design
reliable way. Judgement errors are possible while process and suggests some classifications. Lennings'
making verifications on design action results. In [4] paper [3] focuses on the difference of the conceptual
considerations about virtual prototyping versus rapid and the detailing phase of the design process and comes
prototyping are given. Not only for a final checking, but forward with different characteristics of the prototypes.
also for the designer to keep in close contact during his Baraldi [8] provides a few classifications related to
design activities with the physical world in which the design process, competition, and organization. The
product is put into. There is a tendency to replace literature survey is a basis for the next classification. A
physical prototypes by virtual prototypes. classification of physical models according to usage and
Marks [5] concludes in a review that: “The value of type is:
interacting with early prototypes is underappreciated” ? Visualization
and “Early prototyping still isn’t the norm” Models are used for presentations and shape
The facilities under development at this moment will (details). They can support reasoning about shape
have a great impact on the methods and tools available geometry, curvature and accuracy, texture, color,
for the designer. In a later stage we will discus these finishing, and graphics. Shapes become tangible,
issues further. Next we will have a closer focus on local curvature and product appearance can be
prototypes. judged
In [1] David Kelley brings in a meaningful ? Functionality-testing
generalization about prototypes. He puts forward: Depending on the tested functions, the model
“Prototypes are designed to answer questions”. This representation is not too precise at those regions
quote take into account and put an accent on the where no testing is performed. However, the
complexity, creativity, diversification and whimsicality degrees of freedom for optimal testing must be
of usage of prototypes in the design process and provide guaranteed and testing regions, for e.g. ergonomic
an understanding that not one specific method is an verification, must be represented accurately.
optimal solution for all cases. At the same time, it ? Physical-testing.
implies the notion that a choice of prototyping method A materialized model must be fabricated consisting
is related to the designer and the culture of the of the same material of the final product. Accuracy
company. In [1] a distinction about companies, which and exclusion of strength variations related to the
are focussed on “looks-like prototyping” and on fabrication technology are important issues.
“works-like prototyping” is made, and from that point ? Marketing.
of view resulting in different prototypes. Nevertheless, A marketing model or presentation model will
it will be fruitful to put effort into a classification or a express the added design value of the product to
categorization. outsiders of the design process. The finishing
Usually, in the conceptual stage of design, models are quality and being a look-alike of the final product
incomplete and related to one or more combined design are crucial for this type of models.
aspects. It is expected that different product models for ? Proof-of-concept
the same aspect have more or less the same model A very detailed model made in the final stage of
characteristics. An investigation about the validity of design to qualify the product design against the
this assumption and an exploration whether a requirements [9].
classification of those models is possible and useful is ? Editing
obvious. At last, the designer will benefit of it, because Editable models are assembled or composed
he will understand the application of his tools in a better models and, when needed, decomposed again and
way and he will also be able to use tools in a more rebuild with different (shape) components to create
efficient way. an adapted version of the same model.
Which classifications and models the designer can apply ? Communication.
during the product development process was explored
A communication model is applicable for
by means of a literature survey. From now on, we will
communication with the inside of the design
focus on physical models, being aware that other process or for explanation to the related authorities
facilities like virtual prototypes and sketching are also to provide them with a better understanding what is
available and valuable for the design process.
going on in the design process. Models for the
 usage of designer's own design verification will sintering and fused filament deposition. In general, the
have various styles. In fact the model reflects to be available conventional (incremental) LMT technologies
a kind of ‘information database’ for concurrent and are the best for the manufacturing of small and mid-size
simultanuous engineering objects. In these processes the applicable layer thickness
? Process is relatively small compared to the dimensions of the
A process model is a kind of proto-model or proto- model. Drawbacks of current technologies are build
shape like a CAD design or a physical model, time, cost, finishing, material and accuracy.
which is treated in a reverse engineering way. In At this moment rapid prototyping equipment
those models the progress of a design is captured manufacturers claim to have equipment available which
and the shape of a model can be change manually. is able to support physical concept modeling. However,
Another classification is based on the complexity of the rapid prototyping machines for that purpose are
models, which is not restricted for physical models only. slightly adapted examples of the current machines. They
In [10] four distinct kinds of complexities are offer shorter building times, combined with less
recognized. Complexity based on: accuracy. It is evident, that the equipment at this
? Product moment is unable to support the early stage of design.
Compound products can be complex in terms of Next paragraph will present and discuss related results
number of parts, shape, interdependencies, function based on the inquiry.
and conjunction of these parts..
? Technology Discussion about model properties
Complexity of manufacturing and assembly Now, the difference of conceptual and detailing models
processes and the level of applied innovation in design is accepted, the next step is to look more
technologies in the product. detailed into the issues of what is different and to what
? Knowledge extent. For that purpose the categorization of the
Extent of provision of putting expert knowledge previous paragraph is applied. From this point on the
into the product and provision of a basis for the results of the questionnaire are separately related to the
exploration of effective and successful solutions. models for conceptualization and for detailing, keeping
? Organization in mind that either stage of design will have its own
Project structure, colaboration, sub-contractors, needs. The following subjects are presented:
work and material flow, capacity amongst other ? purpose of physical models
issues are considered for this complexity. ? when to apply handmade models
From each point of view on the design process, various ? role of handmade models versus RP models
classification are possible. However, in this paper the ? importance of physical models
focus is put on the application of physical models in the ? aims of rapid prototyping
(conceptual) design process as a supportive tool for the ? application of models (ranking)
designer. A classification based on type and application ? operational aspects (ranking)
of a prototype is useful for the distinction of physical ? impact of physical models on the final result
model properties. At the same time a difficulty arises ? model properties and characteristics
that e.g. a visualisation model and a presentation model
have many properties in common. It is useful to Prototype Usage Related to Purpose
generate from the classification a list of typical
100%
prototype properties and make an attempt to create a
classification on physical model properties. This effort
Response in %

75%
is not yet accomplished this paper. The classification no resp
Both
can supply information for geometric preparation 50%
Detail
process as an input for rapid prototyping processes. Conc
Today, materialized models are mostly generated from 25%

computer-generated data and produced by a specific

0%
rapid prototyping process. Most rapid prototyping
t

rif

c
pr

r
n
us

nc

he
processes are based on an incremental layer method and

Dis

go
Ve
Re

m
M

Fu

Ot
Er
Co
are highly or completely automated. The principle is the
subdivision of CAD data in easy to manufacture parts Fig. 6 Usage of prototypes
(very thin slices). The shape is built by deposition of In Figure 6 physical models are mostly used for the
layers, each layer is manufactured separately and the purpose of representation, discussion and ergonomic
layers are stacked onto each other to create finally a evaluation. There is also much usage in the detailing
physical model. Different incremental technologies exist stage of design for geometry verification and functional
on the RP-market, e.g., 3D printing, stereolithography,
layered object manufacturing (LOM), selective laser
testing. Functional models are used in either design
Importance of Physical Models and Rapid
stage. Prototyping

When Handmade Models 100%

20
75% no resp

Response in %
very high
15 high
50%

Frequency
normal
low
10 very low
25%

5
0%
Creat Verif Creat Verif
0 Physical Models | Rapid Prototyping

r
ul
e

he
od

rt

ge
Tim

fo

Ot
Dm

an
Sti

ef
Fig. 9 Importance of physical modeling

no

ch
D
CA

CA

ct
no

pe
no

As
shown that physical models in creativity and
Fig. 7 Where to apply handmade models verification and rapid prototyping in verification are
The response (Figure 7) indicates that handmade models equally appreciated.
are mainly used to stimulate and to support designing
activities and creativity. It seems that items mentioned Aims of Rapid Prototyping
in the inquiry did not sufficiently match, because the 20
response “Other” is the second in the response score.
The issues mentioned there are: testing of mechanical 15

Frequency
Both
principals, idea verification, principle learning and 10 Detail
understanding, large sized models, communication, and Concept
in a wider aspect to sense the physical properties (form, 5
material, weight).
0
Role of Model Type Conceptual and

n
t

ss
n
y
pic

er
rif

go
tio
wa

m
Ve

cu

nV
De

Er
Co
nc
Detailed Design

Dis
ly

om

go
Fu
On

Er
Ge
100%
Response in %

75% 0% Fig. 10 RP supported activities.

<25 %
50%
25-50 % Figure 10 shows much resemblance with the other
50-75 %
25%
75-100 %
figures although depiction is not mentioned for concept
0%
design. Rapid prototyping is often used for geometric
verification, functional testing and communicating.
tail

il
t
tail
t

t
ep

Next we will explore the characteristics of the models

ep

ep

eta
De
De

nc
nc

nc

rD
Co
Co

RP

Co
m

he

for conceptual and for detailing design. A distinction is

nd

RP
m

er

Ot
Ha
nd

Oth
Ha

made for visualization, communication, functioning and

Fig. 8 Role of model type for product design process models. Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 present the
responses. The characteristics are:
The response in Figure 8 shows that most handmade
? appearance
models are produced in the concept design stage, while
? shape and design
rapid prototyping models are mainly made in the detail
design stage. Remarkable is the sparse application of RP ? strength and stiffness
technology in concept stage. It shows that physical ? shape accuracy
concept modeling is not applied by designers. Although, ? tolerance
the responses show that models made by RP technology ? geometric accuracy
have an application in the concept design stage. This ? texture, surface quality
could mean that PCM is a relatively unknown term for ? application of features
the specific method of rapid prototyping. Other methods ? material properties
are not specified and unknown. ? material hardness
In Figure 9 physical models and rapid prototyping for ? prototype weight
the support of creativity and for verification are ? color
explored. The response show a low value for rapid ? conductivity
prototyping technology in concept design. It is clearly ? transparency
 Visual model characteristics Process model characteristics
40 40

30

response in %
30

response in %
Process
Visual Concept 20 Concept
20
Process
Visual Detail
Detail
10
10

0
0

Co lor

Tr t
sp
e, r

er
ler c

ht
Fe ual

rd l
M es

uc
om e

W s
Su acc
ap pea
Str sgn

Ha teria
ap n
To ac

s
Ge anc
Material
Tolerance

Oth
eig
Surf qual

Color
Shape acc

o
Weight

Transp
Hardness

Conduct
Appear
Shape, dsgn

Sh Stiff
Features
Geom acc

an
ne
r

nd
Str., Stiffn

rf q

C
atu
Other

e
Sh Ap

a
.,
Fig. 14 Process model characteristics
Fig. 11 Visual model characteristics shape and design is scoring high, although in concept
design this characteristic is 1.5 times more important.
For detailing the characteristics like strength and
Communication model characteristics stiffness, tolerance, and geometric accuracy are scoring
40 better than in concept design. Concept design scores
better in the application of features and color.
30 In Figure 13 the characteristics of the functional models
response in %

Communication are presented. For these models strength and stiffness is

20 Conceptual
Communication the most important characteristic. Tolerance and
Detail
10 geometric accuracy are also important and the shape
and design is not so significant as in the communication
0 and visualization models. The scores of concept design
and detailing, in general, don't differ too much.
ar

ht

er
l
ce

t
l

ria

uc
n

ua

eig
pe

Oth
tiff

an

ate

nd
rf q
., S
Ap

In Figure 14 the process model characteristics are

ler

Co
M
Su
Str

To

presented. Remarkable was lower response to this

Fig. 12 Communication model characteristics model. The impression is that the requested designers
did not have a clear view on what such kind of model is
applied for. Also for this model the characteristics for
Functional model characteristics concept design and detailing are almost the same.
Interesting is the ranking of surface quality, which in all
40
cases scored in the medium range of importance.
30
Unimportant characteristics are: hardness, conductivity
response in %

Function
and transparency.
20 Concept
Function
Detail Discussion
10
In conceptual design the product is under development
0 results in vague, incomplete, fragmented, and temporary
information. Often no digital representation of the
e, ar

nd r

er
Tr t
sp
ler c
om e

ht
rd l
W ss

Co lo
uc
Fe ual

M res
., n

Su acc

Ha teria
ap n
To e ac
Ge anc
ap pe

th
Str dsg

eig
Co
Sh Stiff

an
ne
rf q
atu

concept is available. This will obstruct the application

Sh Ap

of rapid prototyping. Another issue is that the nature of

Fig. 13 Functional model characteristics conceptual design put also requirements on the
availability of physical models. During that stage of the
For the visual models (Figure 11) the requirements for design process models are used for one single or a few
tolerance, strength and stiffness in detailing are much specific aspects of reasoning, verification or
important then in the conceptual design stage. The (functional) testing. It is obvious, that this must have an
surface quality, shape and design, and application and impact on extent and structure of the physical model. It
availability of features are more important for the is most likely that preparing and manufacturing of a
conceptualization stage. It is very clear that shape and complete physical model, if possible, is too expensive.
design are the most important issue for these models. Applying current rapid prototyping technologies takes
The remaining characteristics are almost equal in too much time and effort to realize a model.
importance. In Figure 12 the characteristics of the Furthermore, according to expectations a model will be
communication models are presented. In general, the used for a very short period. As a result of testing, the
scores resemble the results in Figure 13. Again the design will change and the produced model is no longer
valid and subsequently wasted. And most likely, a design from the standpoint of what designers are using.
detailed model will not provide any extra information There is, however ,a situation which can be described as
for the considered specific aspects than a simplified follows. From the results rapid prototyping is not used
version will do. Interactive design sessions often change in conceptual design, mainly because of the reasons
their goals and typically less time is available to mentioned before. At this moment there is little or no
elaborate on the problems. Here is the point when knowledge available about applying rapid prototyping
physical concept models can be very useful. in conceptualization. It is for that reason very
Nowadays, designers use e.g. manually created crude questionable that such kind of equipment can be used
foam models to support their understanding of the within the near future in that stage of design.
design process and for development of product shape.
The shape cast in foam represents the design and by Conclusion
means of reverse engineering this shape can be This paper is focussing on the application of physical
converted into a CAD representation. Afterwards rapid models in product design. The character of the process
prototyping can be used to create a reproducible model. is during conceptualization and detailing different. This
Nevertheless, the models are used only for a short is also observable in the application of physical models
period of time and will be wasted when a design session which are used for various reasons during design. In the
is finished. Ergo, the models need to be very cheap, and conceptualization the physical models are produced to
on the other hand, in order not to disturb the designer’s answer questions and while adding value and quality to
creativity too much, produced in an ultra rapid manner. the design process. To test this notion about the design
Current RP systems which are positioned as PCM process an inquiry among Dutch designers was made.
support are not suitable for the conceptualization, All designers agreed that the physical models during
because they are relatively slow and expensive. conceptualization differ from those used during
New techniques and improved knowledge will open detailing. The detailing stage of design (e.g. proof-of-
new perspectives. They will provide more natural concept) is adequately supported by rapid prototyping.
geometry input and will allow vague representations, The inquiry makes also clear that rapid prototyping in
which can be applied for rapid prototyping. The conceptual design is almost non-existent and that
vagueness of concepts in the conceptual phase of design handmade models are still very often used. The reasons
will be digitally supported by introducing natural input for this situation are vague representations of the
facilities combined with vague modeling techniques product at conceptualization and the lack of rapid
[11]. Geometric input is realized by means of capturing prototyping technologies that provide cheap and rapid
gestures and/or voice input related to geometric input. physical model production. The type of physical models
For this method, powerful procedures, notions and applied during design is also investigated and some
definitions are needed. The vague geometry is described characteristics are presented
and represented by particles, which have specific New technologies like vague modeling, natural
properties according to the modeling requirements. geometry input and efficient shape decomposition are
Representations based on geometric singularities are emerging, but at the same time the usage of the results
very powerful to be used for Rapid Prototyping, because coming from these technologies have to be researched
shape sensation is very closely related to characteristic for an efficient integration in concept design.
shape lines and edges When a specific shape
representation is explored, then for that case the References
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and is rapid prototyping available. Management Journal, 1993, 4 (1) : 55-65.
It is concluded, that at this moment the state of art is [2] Wohlers T. Current state and future potential of
that vague modeling combined with natural geometric RP/RT worldwide. Proceedings TCT Conference 99
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