University Project
CAD Product Redesign
CAD Product Redesign
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Year:
2024
Project Duration :
24
Project :
Legacy Project
Project Brief:
From the outset, the project was split into 2 sections. The first section involved a group presentation on key findings, while the second section focused on an individual redesign, full model recreation and report. The consumer electronic product provided was a 2kW fan heater. Initially, the fan heater’s functionality and design were explored, followed by a review of the user manual to gain insights into its operational principles and features. Additionally, a market positioning analysis was undertaken to comprehend the competitive landscape and consumer preferences for fan heaters. The subsequent phase involved a dissection of the fan heater, examining its constituent components and construction. The underlying operational principles governing the fan heater’s functionality were reviewed, and any potential product issues were identified with some recommendations for improving performance and user experience.
Disassembly:
In order to understand how the product had been manufactured, and detail all of the components, the heater had to be carefully disassembled. Analysing the product’s general construction revealed potential areas for improvements. Since the product is relatively inexpensive, many aspects lacked serious consideration and engineering expertise.
Redesign:
The whole modelling process was done individually from the ground up with no imported resources or parts, every component needed to be measured such that an accurate model could be replicated. The redesign was done in conjunction with the modelling, so the modelling process wouldn’t need to be completed twice.
The best possible process in this context involved finding realistic solutions with the most synergy and clear design direction, and so focused on addressing 2 main issues found in the first section of the project.
Engineering knowledge played a large role, as the redesign needed to be realistic within its context, meaning key engineering concepts, and knowledge gained from understanding the working principles needed to be clearly addressed and proven.
Redesign:
The 2 issues addressed were:
1. Noise:
-Problem: The fan design in the heater generates considerable noise, potentially disrupting concentration or sleep
-Cause: The noise is primarily caused by the aerodynamic effects associated with the fan blade shape and airflow patterns within the heater.
-Proposed Solution: Fit an existing, licensable new fan component
2. Power:
-Problem: The nichrome heating element used in the heater is not particularly energy efficient and has a limited heating range.
-Cause: Nichrome heating elements have relatively high resistivity, leading to energy losses by heat during operation. Additionally, the limited heating range stems from the material properties of nichrome.
-Proposed Solution: Replace the nichrome heating element with a more energy efficient element with a broader heating range.
Portfolio Slides
More Projects
University Project
CAD Product Redesign
CAD Product Redesign
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Year:
2024
Project Duration :
24
Project :
Legacy Project
Project Brief:
From the outset, the project was split into 2 sections. The first section involved a group presentation on key findings, while the second section focused on an individual redesign, full model recreation and report. The consumer electronic product provided was a 2kW fan heater. Initially, the fan heater’s functionality and design were explored, followed by a review of the user manual to gain insights into its operational principles and features. Additionally, a market positioning analysis was undertaken to comprehend the competitive landscape and consumer preferences for fan heaters. The subsequent phase involved a dissection of the fan heater, examining its constituent components and construction. The underlying operational principles governing the fan heater’s functionality were reviewed, and any potential product issues were identified with some recommendations for improving performance and user experience.
Disassembly:
In order to understand how the product had been manufactured, and detail all of the components, the heater had to be carefully disassembled. Analysing the product’s general construction revealed potential areas for improvements. Since the product is relatively inexpensive, many aspects lacked serious consideration and engineering expertise.
Redesign:
The whole modelling process was done individually from the ground up with no imported resources or parts, every component needed to be measured such that an accurate model could be replicated. The redesign was done in conjunction with the modelling, so the modelling process wouldn’t need to be completed twice.
The best possible process in this context involved finding realistic solutions with the most synergy and clear design direction, and so focused on addressing 2 main issues found in the first section of the project.
Engineering knowledge played a large role, as the redesign needed to be realistic within its context, meaning key engineering concepts, and knowledge gained from understanding the working principles needed to be clearly addressed and proven.
Redesign:
The 2 issues addressed were:
1. Noise:
-Problem: The fan design in the heater generates considerable noise, potentially disrupting concentration or sleep
-Cause: The noise is primarily caused by the aerodynamic effects associated with the fan blade shape and airflow patterns within the heater.
-Proposed Solution: Fit an existing, licensable new fan component
2. Power:
-Problem: The nichrome heating element used in the heater is not particularly energy efficient and has a limited heating range.
-Cause: Nichrome heating elements have relatively high resistivity, leading to energy losses by heat during operation. Additionally, the limited heating range stems from the material properties of nichrome.
-Proposed Solution: Replace the nichrome heating element with a more energy efficient element with a broader heating range.
Portfolio Slides
More Projects
University Project
CAD Product Redesign
CAD Product Redesign
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Analysis, dissection & redesign of Electronic product
Year:
2024
Project Duration :
24
Project :
Legacy Project
Project Brief:
From the outset, the project was split into 2 sections. The first section involved a group presentation on key findings, while the second section focused on an individual redesign, full model recreation and report. The consumer electronic product provided was a 2kW fan heater. Initially, the fan heater’s functionality and design were explored, followed by a review of the user manual to gain insights into its operational principles and features. Additionally, a market positioning analysis was undertaken to comprehend the competitive landscape and consumer preferences for fan heaters. The subsequent phase involved a dissection of the fan heater, examining its constituent components and construction. The underlying operational principles governing the fan heater’s functionality were reviewed, and any potential product issues were identified with some recommendations for improving performance and user experience.
Disassembly:
In order to understand how the product had been manufactured, and detail all of the components, the heater had to be carefully disassembled. Analysing the product’s general construction revealed potential areas for improvements. Since the product is relatively inexpensive, many aspects lacked serious consideration and engineering expertise.
Redesign:
The whole modelling process was done individually from the ground up with no imported resources or parts, every component needed to be measured such that an accurate model could be replicated. The redesign was done in conjunction with the modelling, so the modelling process wouldn’t need to be completed twice.
The best possible process in this context involved finding realistic solutions with the most synergy and clear design direction, and so focused on addressing 2 main issues found in the first section of the project.
Engineering knowledge played a large role, as the redesign needed to be realistic within its context, meaning key engineering concepts, and knowledge gained from understanding the working principles needed to be clearly addressed and proven.
Redesign:
The 2 issues addressed were:
1. Noise:
-Problem: The fan design in the heater generates considerable noise, potentially disrupting concentration or sleep
-Cause: The noise is primarily caused by the aerodynamic effects associated with the fan blade shape and airflow patterns within the heater.
-Proposed Solution: Fit an existing, licensable new fan component
2. Power:
-Problem: The nichrome heating element used in the heater is not particularly energy efficient and has a limited heating range.
-Cause: Nichrome heating elements have relatively high resistivity, leading to energy losses by heat during operation. Additionally, the limited heating range stems from the material properties of nichrome.
-Proposed Solution: Replace the nichrome heating element with a more energy efficient element with a broader heating range.