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WHY MAKE A MODEL ?

V. Ryan © 2001

When you have virtually finished the design project it is a good idea to make a model as this will allow you to test your solution. This will help you determine whether your idea is going to work or needs modifying. A model allows you to test your solution quickly and cheaply. Imagine the time and money that would be wasted if a car manufacturer designed and manufactured a new car without testing it on potential customers and before a production line was set up. If the car was not popular or was found to have faults, hundreds of millions of pounds would be lost. (Describe any model you have seen or assembled yourself).

TESTING YOUR DESIGNS

A Model of a Rocking Chair

What is the advantage of making this model chair before making the full size version ?

SCALED MODELS

A Scaled Model of a Guitar

A scaled model is a model that is made ½ or ¼ or ¾ etc... the full size of the real solution. This means the model can be quite small but have the same proportions as the solution. The model is a miniature of the real thing.
The model guitar is approximately ¼ the size of an actual electric guitar but it is identical in every other detail.

How could a model that is NOT made to scale cause problems to a designer ?

Have you ever bought a scaled model and glued the parts together ? If so, describe the model.

HOW CAN A SCALED MODEL HELP SAVE TIME AND MONEY ?

Play Area Model

Models will help you improve your solution before spending time and money making the actual item. A model will often help you identify faults or design problems that cannot be spotted on a drawing or sketch.
This model is of a play area for very young children. A platform surrounds a play-pen in the centre. This is filled with small soft toys. Children use ladders to descend into the play-pen.

If the real play area was built it would cost thousands of pounds. The model allows the designer to look more easily for safety problems. The designer can also use the model when discussing the design with a customer. Parts can be moved around and replaced allowing the designer to experiment with changes to the original solution. Add to the diagram below, showing improvements.

MODELLING MATERIALS

A variety of materials can be used for model making. These range from MDF, plastics, card and paper to specialist modelling materials like Styrofoam and Plaster of Paris. Materials such as Plastersyne can also be helpful. Generally, select materials that are easy to cut, shape and colour.

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