RESEARCH
LIFECYCLE ASSESSMENT OF AN EXISTING DRILL
In conclusion the final graph above illustrates the comparative results of the four separate lifecycle assessments. 3 AA disposable batteries power the iteration with the most impressive environmental impact. This suggests that when designing a new cordless driver the most efficient way to power it is by disposable batteries. Key to the reasoning of the other three iterations having such higher emissions during the manufacturing stage is due to the inclusion of a transformer needed to recharge the batteries when low. With overall use only approximately 12 hours per year over 5 years, it makes sense to use disposable batteries as they can be replaced upon each sporadic use and will hold charge more efficiently. Another key recommendation to be taken out of the lifecycle analysis is the use of recyclable plastic to minimize the impact it has during disposal.
LEGAL ASSESSMENT
To conduct a legal assessment a number of standards and patents were reviewed. This was in order to gain an understanding of the relevant standards for household power tools applicable to Australia. It was also to obtain appropriate patents of similar products to be aware of what aspects of designs were patented and would therefore need permission to incorporate it into any future products. These documents were obtained through a variety of online databases such as SAI Global, Google Patents, and AusPat (a department of IP Australia).
Standards
The following Standards are relevant to Australia and New Zealand, and must be adhered to when designing or manufacturing a battery operated power tool.
Patents
There are thousands of patents currently applicable to cordless drills and drivers. The following patents are relevant to power tools and cordless drills alike.
PERSONA
Name: Beatrice Oates
Age: 66
Job: Pensioner (former Midwife)
Work Hours: n/A
Education: Bachelor or Midwifery
Location: Belair, Adelaide
Income: Living on pension
Disabilities: Arthritis
Family: Widower. She has one son from that marriage, and two grandchildren.
Hobbies: Plays Bridge and Mah Jong
Goals (life):
Goals (professional):
Age: 66
Job: Pensioner (former Midwife)
Work Hours: n/A
Education: Bachelor or Midwifery
Location: Belair, Adelaide
Income: Living on pension
Disabilities: Arthritis
Family: Widower. She has one son from that marriage, and two grandchildren.
Hobbies: Plays Bridge and Mah Jong
Goals (life):
Goals (professional):
SCENARIO
Beatrice goes to pull open her TV cabinet but finds the door hinge has come loose.
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She tries using a screwdriver, but doesn't have enough strength to tighten it manually.
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Borrows her sons heavy duty cordless drill
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She is overwhelmed by all the drill and driver bits that come with it
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She tries to tighten the chuck to but again doesn't have the strength to comfortably tighten and just continues to come loose
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Finally is able to tighten it but struggles to hold up such a weighty product for a prolonged period of time.
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CUSTOMER NEEDS AND COMPETITIVE BENCHMARKING
After developing a persona and scenario to target a specific user, a list of customer needs was developed. This was achieved by asking a number of users that match the profile of the persona and scenario. As a group the raw customer statements were shared. The customer’s raw statement was then translated into a more specific “needs statement”.
Competitive benchmarking allows a variety of the products currently on the market to be compared for metrics and needs. Comparison of the needs is more subjective and directly relates to what the target user illustrated in persona wants. The metrics allows the products to be compared for technical specifications, which will later help to establish ideal values.
Competitive benchmarking allows a variety of the products currently on the market to be compared for metrics and needs. Comparison of the needs is more subjective and directly relates to what the target user illustrated in persona wants. The metrics allows the products to be compared for technical specifications, which will later help to establish ideal values.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
There were two key outcomes to be taken out of the lifecycle analysis of the WorkPro Cordless Screwdriver. The first is that the largest amount of emissions is generated from the manufacturing of the tech pack, in particular the transformer, the NiMH battery, and the motor. By changing the tech pack to be powered by three disposable Lithium Ion batteries the reduction was drastic, mainly because of the removal of the transformer. The second major outcome of the lifecycle analysis was the recycling of all polymers. This reduced the disposal impact by 6.4%, which over the course of mass production in the hundred and thousands, even millions, it would result in a significantly greater number. One major consideration of the recyclability is the polybutadiene grip, which due to being a thermoset polymer would need to be stripped and separated from the ABS casing.
Creating a product that appeals and is tailored to a selected target user is of vital importance. For this reason it was important to create a persona and scenario that represents the target user and identifies their needs. In this case the screwdriver is being targeted at elderly people, and more specifically elderly women. From interviewing a number of users that match the profile it became clearer as to what they wanted in a product. Although the performance of the screwdriver is of a high importance, there are other needs that appeal more to the elderly target group such as making the screwdriver lightweight and manageable, comfortable compact size, and a non-threatening aesthetic.
Creating a product that appeals and is tailored to a selected target user is of vital importance. For this reason it was important to create a persona and scenario that represents the target user and identifies their needs. In this case the screwdriver is being targeted at elderly people, and more specifically elderly women. From interviewing a number of users that match the profile it became clearer as to what they wanted in a product. Although the performance of the screwdriver is of a high importance, there are other needs that appeal more to the elderly target group such as making the screwdriver lightweight and manageable, comfortable compact size, and a non-threatening aesthetic.