Which of the following is a main reason prototypes are used?

• A. Rapid Prototyping
• B. Save money, get feedback & faults
• C. CIM
• D. CAM

Answer: (B)

Prototyping is about testing and refining ideas with a tangible model so you can learn what works and what doesn’t before committing to production. The main benefit is to save money, gain feedback, and reveal faults early in the design process. By building and testing a prototype, you can check how the product looks, feels, and functions, verify fit and assembly, and spot design or material issues. Fixing these problems early prevents expensive changes later on, reduces risk, and helps ensure the final design meets users’ needs. While rapid prototyping speeds up creating a prototype, it’s the early learning and risk reduction that truly drives why prototypes are used. CIM and CAM relate to manufacturing systems, not the primary purpose of prototyping itself.