Demonstration model

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Full-size demonstration model of an Ariane 5 in the Cité de l'espace in Toulouse
Demonstration model of the interior of an Airbus A 380

A demonstration model (also illustrative model , demonstration model , mock-up or mockup taken from English , from French also maquette ) is a complete product or a dummy that is used to design and / or (partial) functions of a planned or already to demonstrate imported product.

It is often a true-to-scale model ( bozzetto in the fine arts ) or a replica for presentation purposes .

In contrast, the prototype or demonstrator is a functional model that is primarily used in the development process itself .

The first uses of the term mock-up are documented in the aviation industry . The English term was later adopted by other areas such as industrial design .

Origin of the term "Mock-Up"

Etymologically , the English word mockup was first identified around 1920 with the meaning of simulation or model. The model serves as an apparent replica of the original; it has to look like this (possibly scaled), but not necessarily work in the same way. In fact, the root word mock had had the connotation of a scornful imitation since the middle of the 18th century (see: Mockturtle soup or Mockingbird ). Originally, the word did not refer to imitation, but only to mockery : In the Middle Ages, it still meant mocking , based on French. moquer, just taunt, mock . In modern Standard German, the reflexive verb “mokieren” is still used today when someone expresses himself derisively or derogatory about something.

Use of the term

Capital and consumer goods industries

Demonstration models can be found in shops, for example, where specially equipped sample products (e.g. smartphones) are often on display in the sales area to try out.

Demonstration model of a Berlin subway car from the BVG series IK

In aviation, there is a demonstration model or mock-up for the production of non-functional (non-flightable) models. These are often test objects for various functional tests or the interior, or demonstration models for trade fairs, which should give future customers an impression of the appearance of the aircraft. The models are also widespread in rail vehicle construction and are used as a test for interior furnishings and design.

Digital Mock-up represents a further development . The volume models of various 3D CAD programs are put together and examined as a digital prototype. The prototype construction phase is thus reduced.

Software development

A demonstration model or mock-up in software development describes a rudimentary disposable prototype of the user interface of a software to be created . They are used particularly in the early development phases in order to be able to better determine user interface requirements in cooperation with clients and users. It is mostly a pure basic structure of the control elements without any further functionality. Often there is no programming, instead the creation takes place in an image processing program.

So-called mock objects are used for testing, in particular for the module test ( unit test ), the testing of individual parts. They serve as placeholders for objects that are required for testing of another part and, for example at the beginning of the development is not required (see also. Test-driven development - engl. Test Driven Development, abbr TDD.). Mock objects are used later if, for example, the initialization of the (existing, functional) object is too complex or not possible in a test environment due to a lack of connection to productive backend systems or is not permitted for legal reasons (see also the Federal Data Protection Act ). Another common reason for using a mock object is an unpredictable behavior of the actual class, for example the return of the current exchange rate, or behavior that is shielded from the caller of the method due to the object-oriented principle of encapsulation ; in newer environments such as J2EE and .NET , this is especially the case with container functions.

architecture

A demonstration model in architecture is a 1: 1 model of the components to be created (e.g. facade) or rooms (e.g. hotel room). The project manager anticipates the execution of the execution details, surface materials and colors. Due to the cost, a demonstration model is usually only used for larger buildings, more complex or multiplied components.

Dental technology

During the production of dentures by dental technology , a model that is created using a wax model ( wax-up ) provides a kind of “preview” of the planned end product and thus valuable information for the production of the definitive denture. These are temporary plastic shells, crowns or bridges, in the color of the tooth, which are temporarily attached to the existing, unprepared or prepared teeth. A demonstration model offers the patient the opportunity to assess their future dentures in terms of aesthetics and / or function. Instead of a wax-up, it is possible to design the “preview” virtually with special software on the PC ( CAD ) and then to have it milled directly from plastic using a milling machine ( CAM ).

literature

Web links

Wiktionary: mockup  - explanations of meanings, word origins , synonyms, translations
Commons : Mock-ups  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. a b mock-up. In: Merriam-Webster. Retrieved September 8, 2011 .
  2. mockup. In: Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved September 8, 2011 .
  3. mockingbird. On: etymonline.com.
  4. mock (v.). In: Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved September 8, 2011 .