CNC Engineering Design Process Resources Physical Prototyping Physical Prototyping Physical prototyping is the creation of a physical model, often from a digital model. Physical prototyping is used to help testing models for performance, shape, mechanical, and flow-related testing. CNC machining is a common method of testing a digital model as a physical prototype that was created. All prototypes are important and necessary because they are bridging the stage between concept design and final finished product. Previous Topic Back to Lesson