C3 Use of product analysis and disassembly procedures.
Initial knowledge/skills rating *
September 2011
The word disassembly to me means to ‘take apart’. I do not think I have done a lot of that although I have taken machines apart to repair them.
I could improve this by taking apart some unwanted or broken items.
As for product analysis, whenever I want to buy something it is certainly done with an engineer’s eye.
Wednesday 2nd November 2011 **
My disposable take away tea cup.
Today following giving our presentation on plastics I found myself examining my tea cup lid with more interest than normal. How many of these have passed through my hands with little more than a glance, ok not that many but today I found myself questioning what type of plastic was it was made from? What manufacturing processes have been used? Come to that how had the rest of the cup been made?
With the help of two of my peers and the desire to de-construct we started finding the answers.
My cup came with three main components:
· A lid
· A removable outer sleeve
· A cup
My disposable take away tea cup.
Today following giving our presentation on plastics I found myself examining my tea cup lid with more interest than normal. How many of these have passed through my hands with little more than a glance, ok not that many but today I found myself questioning what type of plastic was it was made from? What manufacturing processes have been used? Come to that how had the rest of the cup been made?
With the help of two of my peers and the desire to de-construct we started finding the answers.
My cup came with three main components:
· A lid
· A removable outer sleeve
· A cup
The Lid
Firstly we examined the lid. We concluded with no under cuts it could have been vacuum formed with the additional detail being achieved by using compressed air.
As for the type of plastic, we looked that up and found it was PVC.
As for the type of plastic, we looked that up and found it was PVC.
The cup
Next came the outer cup cover made from three layers of cardboard. The inner and outer layers made from flat with a corrugated inner. This would be good to insulate the user from the heat of the liquid contained in the cup and may even help to keep the drink hotter for longer.
Finally we took apart the cup, which disassembled into two parts. A little round insert with upturned sides and an outer cup with like little serrations at the bottom which are bent over the little round insert and a rim of rolled cardboard at the drinking edge of the cup which would add strength and rigidity. I waxy feel to the inside of the cup is a thin layer of plastic giving the cup water proof properties.
Conclusions
How easy it was to disassemble an everyday disposable item and analyse how it was made. It was easy to see the shape of the nets that had been used.
This sort of information could be translated into say the sheet metal required to make something of a similar shape.
It shows how valuable a cardboard model would be before working with more valuable materials.
How easy it was to disassemble an everyday disposable item and analyse how it was made. It was easy to see the shape of the nets that had been used.
This sort of information could be translated into say the sheet metal required to make something of a similar shape.
It shows how valuable a cardboard model would be before working with more valuable materials.
Saturday 19th November 2011
D&T with ICT Education Show, NEC, Birmingham.
The James Dyson Foundation, offer an education box on loan to your school or educational establishment for a period of four weeks. Apparently they loan you a vacuum cleaner, attachments and tools to take it apart and the best bit is they do not mind if you never get it back together again.
Do you think Dean will get hold of one for us to take apart?
I guess the only way to find out is to email him and ask.
D&T with ICT Education Show, NEC, Birmingham.
The James Dyson Foundation, offer an education box on loan to your school or educational establishment for a period of four weeks. Apparently they loan you a vacuum cleaner, attachments and tools to take it apart and the best bit is they do not mind if you never get it back together again.
Do you think Dean will get hold of one for us to take apart?
I guess the only way to find out is to email him and ask.
26th December 2011 ***
BEST MAGAZINE EVER !
I found a really good magazine called 'How It Works Book Of Amazing Technology' in my stocking for Christmas. Ah Santa knows me so well. I was surprised by the simplicity of so many items. I have carried the misconception that the bigger an item the more complicated it must be. Whereas it may just mean bigger parts. Take for example the humble windmill which is little more than a set of giant gears. I could hardly put my magazine down, I found it totally fascinating.
2nd January 2012
Dismantling the packaging
I dismantled this rather interesting box to take a closer look at the net. I had liked the way the windows displayed the products within.
When laid flat it was easy to see the rectangles had been placed centrally on the bends. It all looks so simple when you look at it this way.
Filled with the confidence that big items are nothing to be scared of, I have lined up a television and an old computer to take apart. I think my daughter wants to join in so it may have to wait until our Easter break as we ran out of time over Christmas.
James Dyson Foundation
I approached Dean about getting hold of an Educational Box from the James Dyson foundation again. I have plans for this in another module but the evidence of disseminating it and analysing the design can be used here too. Yippee our box is being delivered on the 27th February.
1st march 2012
Taking apart a Dyson vacuum cleaner
Taking apart the Dyson vacuum cleaner did not quite happen as I imagined. Working as a group we recorded the dismantling process by taking a series of photographs that we intended to put together to form part of a stop motion video. We were all rather excited at the sight of the Dyson box and needed to decide who was going to do what. Some how I found myself in a supervisory position. As much as I would have liked to take the Dyson apart I was the person with the most experience of dismantling machinery and would therefore benefit the least from the experience. I decided to pass the opportunity to the younger members of my group. I am hoping to at least put the Dyson back together again.
20th March 2012
Finally alone with the Dyson
With a few minutes to spare I decided to take a closer look at the Dyson education pack. It comes with teaching notes and a set of posters. I really like the posters. I like the way they explain in just a few sentences just how long it takes to come up with a good idea to develop and then once you have an idea just how long the design process is. It is intereting to see that the Dyson hand dryer was made as a cardboard model and that for every working product they may have been a thousand modifications.This helps me feel more confident that when I go through the design process it is normal to keep identifying problems and solving them one by one. I hope one day to pass on this knowledge.
Apart from the vacuum cleaner that can be dismantled each box come with eight vacuum cleaner attachments. Obviously these are also to be taken a part in groups in schools. My chance at last to take something apart and marvel at both the simplicity and the minimalist but stylish assembly. I really find when I am taking products apart they are a lot simpler then I expect. Once the cleaning head was dismantled it was easy to see how the little gears driven by the rotation of the wheels rotate the bristles.
The one thing I had found disappointing during the disassembly of the main vacuum cleaner was the sub-assemblies that were made of sealed units. Although they appeared to clip together they were not going to come apart.This really stopped you seeing how the cyclone worked although there are diagrams in the teaching pack. I am not sure if this is true of all Dyson vacuum cleaners or something particular to this pack. The best bit about this pack is that as long as all the parts are returned Dyson do not mind if it is assembled, disassembled or any combination in between. I really think this is a valuable free teaching resource.
Apart from the vacuum cleaner that can be dismantled each box come with eight vacuum cleaner attachments. Obviously these are also to be taken a part in groups in schools. My chance at last to take something apart and marvel at both the simplicity and the minimalist but stylish assembly. I really find when I am taking products apart they are a lot simpler then I expect. Once the cleaning head was dismantled it was easy to see how the little gears driven by the rotation of the wheels rotate the bristles.
The one thing I had found disappointing during the disassembly of the main vacuum cleaner was the sub-assemblies that were made of sealed units. Although they appeared to clip together they were not going to come apart.This really stopped you seeing how the cyclone worked although there are diagrams in the teaching pack. I am not sure if this is true of all Dyson vacuum cleaners or something particular to this pack. The best bit about this pack is that as long as all the parts are returned Dyson do not mind if it is assembled, disassembled or any combination in between. I really think this is a valuable free teaching resource.
21st March 2012
Taught session ****
Today I learned that in the context of this subject analysis and disassembly procedures do not mean to literally taking products apart. It is more about looking at an assembled item and analysing it to understand a lot more about he product. By posing questions as you examine a product you are able to learn a lot more about how it was made and why it has been designed in that way.
The following questions will help you to understand any product better:
The following questions will help you to understand any product better:
- Cost - How much did the product cost? This can help you understand what area of the market it has been aimed at. Why it is of the quality it is.
- Aesthetics - How pleasing it is to the eye?
- Design : -
- Who is it for? - Who is the target market? Is it specialised or general? What age ,gender or ability is it aimed at?
- Function - What is it used for?
- Context - Where is it going to be used?
- Material - What has it been made from? Why? What properties do the material offer? Are they conductive or non conductive? Strong? Disposable?
- Structure - How has it been fabricated? How has it been assembled or Is it made from one piece of materiel? What shape is it?
- Ergonomics - How well does it fit the human body?
- Purpose of features - Is there anything unusual/special about it?. If so what does it do?
- Manufacture - What manufacturing processes have been used?
- Sustainability - Does it look like sustainability issues have been taken into consideration? Is there excess packaging? Protected materials? Does it carry any details about recycling?
- When - when was it made?
- Product comparison - Is it possible to compare this product with similar products? This can be a very good way to notice differences.
Tin openers
By comparing an everyday object such as the tin opener and applying the above questions I was able to learn a lot about each design. It was a very interesting approach to the subject and one I would definitely want to use again.
3rd April 2012
Taking my old television apart.
Well as I had already offered to share the taking apart of an old television with a group of my peers we decided to carry as planned. Only now we had a good set of questions to guide us through the analysis process. It was quite a large task so we divided the work between us.
Health and Safety first
Naturally always disconnect electrical appliance from the power source before taking them apart. It is a good idea to remove rings and bracelets so that they will not conduct any stored charge.
What surprised me was that we could take this whole television apart using two common household tools. For many electrical products now days you often need specialist tools, screw drivers with specialist heads. This serves as a safety precaution so that only someone qualified to do the job can take it apart. This is important when it comes to something as dangerous as electricity.
What surprised me was that we could take this whole television apart using two common household tools. For many electrical products now days you often need specialist tools, screw drivers with specialist heads. This serves as a safety precaution so that only someone qualified to do the job can take it apart. This is important when it comes to something as dangerous as electricity.
Disassembly and analysis
Cost - I can not remember exactly what my mother-in-law paid for this television but I am sure it was in the region of £200 - £300. Everyone was shocked by how much was paid but at the time that was a competitive price for a middle of the range television. Being of a younger generation they were used to televisions being sleek flat screens and would not have dreamed of paying so much for this large , ugly brute. This just goes to show how the development of technology, manufacturing processes and materials influences design. At the time this a typical television but now it uses out dated technology. I was very surprised that I was the only one who knew about cathode ray tubes. It has made me think I do not know how flat screen televisions work and this is something I want to find out.
Aesthetics - We have already established that this product was no longer pleasing to any bodies eye but it was noted that at the time the designers were trying to make it appealing. The television is asymmetrical with an angled speaker at the front possible a stylish feature.
Design - We noted the rounded corners. A feature not only of safety but increased strength and rigidity of the casing. Rounded edges and tapers would make the removal of the casing from the mould easy. The deep casing was necessary to house the cathode ray tube.
Who was it for? This television was mass produced and aimed and sold to ordinary households. Mass producing lowers production costs but in order to make a good profit a lot must be sold.
Function - A single use product used for television viewing. It does not have a DVD player, music system or anything else. This was quite normal for teh time. This is not something I would even have considered but it surprised the other members of the group.
Context -This television was for indoor use in the average working class home.
Material - Convex glass screen, Rigid plastic outer casing - non conductive. PCB, chips and discrete components. Electro magnet. It has been designed to last for a long time.
Ergonomics - The control buttons are just big enough for fingers
Purpose of features - The television is very basic. The only feature we really noted was the placement of the brand name located on the front of the screen in raised gold letters. This led us to talk about product placement. My mother in law believed she was buying a quality product by buying this brand. It was very important to her. We discussed how products using the same technology can be made along side each one but with the addition of the brand name the price of the product is instantly higher then a less well known or respected brand.
Manufacture - We thought the casing had been injection moulded because of the small round marks where the plastic would have entered the mould. The PCB would have been printed and the components soldered into place afterwards. the casing was simply screwed together.
Sustainability - We talked about energy efficiency but I pointed out that was not important at the time. Nor was sustainability but when we took the product apart I was surprised by how few components it actually had.
Where was it made? It was made in the Uk. Quite surprising as most products are manufacture in China these days.
When was it made? Pre turn of the centuary
Product comparison - At the time it was an average television. Now it looks large and definitely not stylish.
Brand - Panasonic TC-21S3R
Aesthetics - We have already established that this product was no longer pleasing to any bodies eye but it was noted that at the time the designers were trying to make it appealing. The television is asymmetrical with an angled speaker at the front possible a stylish feature.
Design - We noted the rounded corners. A feature not only of safety but increased strength and rigidity of the casing. Rounded edges and tapers would make the removal of the casing from the mould easy. The deep casing was necessary to house the cathode ray tube.
Who was it for? This television was mass produced and aimed and sold to ordinary households. Mass producing lowers production costs but in order to make a good profit a lot must be sold.
Function - A single use product used for television viewing. It does not have a DVD player, music system or anything else. This was quite normal for teh time. This is not something I would even have considered but it surprised the other members of the group.
Context -This television was for indoor use in the average working class home.
Material - Convex glass screen, Rigid plastic outer casing - non conductive. PCB, chips and discrete components. Electro magnet. It has been designed to last for a long time.
Ergonomics - The control buttons are just big enough for fingers
Purpose of features - The television is very basic. The only feature we really noted was the placement of the brand name located on the front of the screen in raised gold letters. This led us to talk about product placement. My mother in law believed she was buying a quality product by buying this brand. It was very important to her. We discussed how products using the same technology can be made along side each one but with the addition of the brand name the price of the product is instantly higher then a less well known or respected brand.
Manufacture - We thought the casing had been injection moulded because of the small round marks where the plastic would have entered the mould. The PCB would have been printed and the components soldered into place afterwards. the casing was simply screwed together.
Sustainability - We talked about energy efficiency but I pointed out that was not important at the time. Nor was sustainability but when we took the product apart I was surprised by how few components it actually had.
Where was it made? It was made in the Uk. Quite surprising as most products are manufacture in China these days.
When was it made? Pre turn of the centuary
Product comparison - At the time it was an average television. Now it looks large and definitely not stylish.
Brand - Panasonic TC-21S3R
What I really wanted to know next was is inside a flat screen television and how do they work? I am slightly embarrassed to admit that we have never owned one. We seem to inherit televisions so have never actually ever brought one. We are a family that only replaces things when they are broken. we do offer to buy a children one but they always say why when what we have works. Can I plead we are considering the environment.
Benefits of working in a group
I found it very good working a s a group. Not only were we able to share the work and therefore get a lot more done but we were also able to share our existing knowledge. We posed questions to each other and came up with different answers based on different perspectives dependent on our background. For example I knew webs appeared on the casing to increase the strength and rigidity of the case whereas the graphic designers amongst us were more knowledgeable about product identity. I was surprised that I seemed to be the only one that knew anything about a cathode ray tube! It made me realise just how products change influenved not only by fashion and demand but also due to the development in materials and technology. I realsied I do not know how flat screen TVs work. I do not know the difference between a plasma and LCD.
We looked at some garden tools and hand tools without taking them a part! It made me realise I have a good understanding about how and why they are made the way they are. I began to appreciate my own knowledge which leaves me feeling more confident about this subject and my ability to share that knowledge.
*****
We looked at some garden tools and hand tools without taking them a part! It made me realise I have a good understanding about how and why they are made the way they are. I began to appreciate my own knowledge which leaves me feeling more confident about this subject and my ability to share that knowledge.
*****
Flat screen televisions - just how do they work?
I do not have an old or broken flat screen television to take apart so I have turned to YouTube where somebody has taken one apart for me. I do not know the difference between a plasma screen or LCD (liquid crystal display). Why are there so many things that I do not know?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/ContentView?pn=Flat_Panel_Televisions take a look at this website to learn about the two types of televisionaw3