A material is ready for prototyping when its conformity to pre-established requirements can be evaluated against stated specifications and testing requirements—not simply when a sample or quotation is available. The American Society for Quality says suppliers should conform to pre-established requirements and identifies prototyping, laboratory testing, or validation testing of supplier samples as evaluation methods.
How to check readiness
The first step is to establish the requirements before evaluating the material. Specifications and other requirements, including relevant testing needs, provide the reference for both the supplier quotation and the sample. Without that reference, a material may appear suitable while its conformity remains unverified.
ASQ specifically recommends requesting a supplier quotation against the stated specifications and requirements. The maker should then check four questions:
| Check | Evidence required | Readiness implication |
|---|---|---|
| Are the requirements established? | Stated specifications and testing requirements | Without them, there is no defined basis for comparison. |
| Was the quotation requested against those requirements? | A quotation tied to the same specifications and requirements | The quotation can be assessed against the intended need rather than a general product description. |
| Has the supplier sample been evaluated? | Prototyping, laboratory testing, or validation testing appropriate to the requirements | The method should address the established requirements rather than be selected by label alone. |
| Does the result support conformity? | Evaluation evidence showing that the material conforms to those requirements | Any unresolved gap means conformity has not yet been demonstrated. |
ASQ lists the three sample-evaluation methods together; it does not prescribe one universal method or a common pass-or-fail threshold. The appropriate choice therefore remains tied to the material specifications and the testing requirements established for the project.
What still needs separate confirmation
Before approving a material for prototyping, the maker must confirm the exact specifications, applicable testing method, and evidence required to establish conformity. Any unresolved test finding or mismatch between the quotation, sample, and stated requirements also needs to be addressed.
The cited guidance does not provide a universal testing protocol, acceptance threshold, certification requirement, legal or regulatory rule, fee, or turnaround time. Any such project-specific conditions must be confirmed separately through applicable authoritative requirements before the material is treated as ready.