Prototyping in IronCAD

Test and improve your design before production

Prototyping plays a central role in product development. Designers want to be able to quickly develop, test and optimize ideas before costs are incurred for production. To this end, IronCAD 3D CAD software provides a flexible and intuitive environment in which models are easily built and modified. This creates a prototyping process that is faster and more reliable.

Why IronCAD is ideal for prototyping

IronCAD combines dynamic modeling with direct operations. This allows designers to work freely without the model getting bogged down in complex dependencies. This speeds up the design phase and makes it easier to compare concepts.

Key benefits for prototyping in IronCAD include:

  • Making changes quickly thanks to Direct Face Modeling
  • Build assemblies intuitively via drag and drop
  • Create and compare variants easily
  • Reliable collision and interference control during design

These features make IronCAD well suited for concept development, functional prototypes, test fixtures and tools for manufacturing processes.

An orange KUKA robot arm that stands on a table and moves its arm up and rotates, with the gripper shimmering slightly during animation.

Exporting and preparing models

Exporting models is an important part of prototyping. IronCAD supports several formats suitable for production, test fixtures or further editing in other systems.

The IronCAD Academy offers clear instructions in this regard. The tutorial“Export for 3D Printing” shows step by step how to export a model as STL and what settings are needed to create a correct file.

In addition to STL, IronCAD also supports other export formats, including:

  • STEP
  • IGES
  • Parasolid
  • DXF
"3D model of a yellow turbine or impeller component, designed for prototyping, with six curved blades and a central cylindrical hub with internal reinforcement ribs

Prototyping in practice

IronCAD is used in engineering teams for various types of prototypes. Its flexibility and speed allow for fewer rounds of revisions and a shorter lead time from design to prototype.

While working in context, designers can check, among other things:

  • Whether parts fit together properly
  • Whether movement and mechanical space are sufficient
  • Whether an assembly is logical and feasible

Flexible and powerful design

IronCAD offers a modern and efficient way to prototype. The software enables rapid iterations, supports accurate validation, and offers extensive export options. This makes IronCAD a powerful choice for organizations looking to accelerate and improve their product development.