Project Logs

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• Week #9

  Bruno • 05/21/2024 at 20:13 • 0 comments

  In today's session, we had the opportunity to print the various prototypes prepared for the final presentation. This marks a significant milestone as we approach the culmination of our project. We printed two prototypes designed for fork use and two prototypes designed for knife use, reflecting our commitment to versatility and meeting diverse user needs.

  Prototypes considering IKEA measurements and other versions.

  Fork grip (IKEA)

  Fork grip

  Knife grip (IKEA)

  Knife grip

  For the measurements, we used one knife and one fork from IKEA for two of the prototypes. These utensils were chosen due to their wide availability and standardized dimensions, ensuring that our designs can be easily replicated and used with commonly available items. For the other two prototypes, we used the dimensions of commercial cutlery from the campus kitchen, which provided a different set of measurements and allowed us to test the adaptability of our designs with various utensils.

  Taking the measurements from www.ikea.com in the kitchen utensils section as a reference, we scaled the following photo using the CREO Parametric software. As engineers, we often do not find the complete measurements of certain products, so features like these offered by parametric 3D modeling programs are essential for designing our products correctly and more easily. Thus, we scaled the photo to determine measurements such as the width and height of the knife or fork, allowing us to modify our CAD to adapt to these dimensions.

  Scaling the picture downloaded from the website using Creo Parametric "FIT" tool.

  Measuring dimensions not displayed in the picture.

  
  As we prepare for the final presentation in the next session, we are compiling all the data and feedback we have gathered throughout the project. This includes user feedback from Diego, insights gained from our various prototypes, and the technical details of our design process. We are excited to present our work and demonstrate the practical applications of our prototypes. We believe our efforts will significantly impact users like Diego, enhancing their independence and quality of life.

• Week #8

  Bruno • 05/15/2024 at 21:41 • 0 comments

  Parallel to the execution, development, and printing of our prototype, we have also been working on modeling our device in another software. During today's session, we focused on developing the 3D digital model using OpenSCAD. Our goal was to create a versatile design file that can be adapted by any user. By using OpenSCAD, we ensured that the model could be easily modified to fit different utensil measurements, making it accessible and practical for a wide range of users. With this software, we aim to establish certain parameters of the geometry that can be modified so that the user can adapt it to the measurements of their body and comfort, allowing this way users to tailor the design to their specific needs.

  Designing our device in software OpenSCAD.

  
  The purpose of this approach is to provide a customizable solution that extends beyond Diego's specific requirements. We want other users to be able to modify the design according to their needs, making it a universal tool and this is the perfect software for it. This adaptability is crucial for making our design widely applicable and beneficial to many people, regardless of their specific challenges or the utensils they use.

  By focusing on creating a modifiable 3D model, we are also promoting a collaborative, customizable and inclusive design process. Other users can build upon our work, contribute improvements, and share their versions, fostering a community-driven approach to problem-solving. This session marked a significant step towards making our project not only a solution for Diego but a resource that can help many others.

• Week #7

  ines.calvo-alier • 05/14/2024 at 16:43 • 0 comments

  In this session, we focused on creating new different prototypes to accommodate various users and clients. We understand that each user has unique needs, and not everyone faces the same challenges with specific utensils. Therefore, we decided to adapt our prototype to work with different utensils such as forks based on the specific requirements of each user.
  

  We specifically adapted the prototype to fit the dimensions of a fork, as requested by Diego. This allowed us to develop multiple versions of the prototype tailored for different utensils, ensuring a versatile and personalized solution.

  It was important for us to adapt our prototype to the dimensions of IKEA utensils, as they are widely available and easy to obtain, and it is a very common brand for people to buy these utensils from. This ensures that our users can easily find compatible utensils without any hassle.

  We continue to develop and 3D print detailed models, which enables us to make ongoing improvements and correct any issues that may arise. Our aim is to refine these prototypes to deliver a final product that is functional, safe, and customized to meet the individual needs of each user.

  Improved 3d model 

  Finally, during today's class, we took the extra step of directly involving Diego in the process. This included fitting the prototype of the knife to his hand to ensure that it met his specific needs and preferences. By doing so, we were able to obtain feedback on the comfort, usability, and overall functionality of the prototype. This hands-on approach allowed us to fine-tune the design and make adjustments as necessary, ensuring that the final product would be perfectly tailored to Diego's requirements, since it has been especifically designed for him. 

  One notable comment from Diego's feedback was the lack of need to incorporate the cushion previously mentioned. Since it is a product tailored to his tastes and needs, we decided to leave the cavity where the cushion would be placed but without attaching it. This way, we have a product that is easier to clean after use and more hygienic. Nevertheless, a cushion could be installed at any time as we have preserved the previous geometry.

  Testing our final prototype on Diego's hand 

• Week #6

  Bruno • 04/30/2024 at 17:16 • 0 comments

  During today's session, we continued to refine the design of the 3D prototype created in SolidWorks. In this session, we observed that rounded edges should be applied to the inner part due to their excessive sharpness. Consequently, we made the necessary adjustments to round them off, ensuring they would not cause any harm to Diego's hand.

  Additionally, we brainstormed ideas to enhance the device's comfort further. This brainstorming session led to the decision to incorporate a layer of fabric in the area where Diego's hand comes into direct contact with the device. This fabric would serve as a soft cushion, providing a more comfortable user experience.

  New design

  To implement this on the 3D model, we created a 1.5mm cavity in the areas where Diego's hand would be in contact with the uncomfortable feature, allowing the cushion to fit perfectly. This design adjustment ensures ease of attachment and suitability for industrial manufacturing.

  
  Detail of the new redesign including the cavity to fit the fabric

  
  As you can see, there are some holes next to where the knife grips, so as not to waste any material when printing. With the design refined and finalized, we prepared the model for 3D printing to create the new prototype, advancing our testing process.

• Week #5

  Bruno • 04/25/2024 at 17:27 • 0 comments

  From the observations gathered through our experimental method, it was apparent that the 3D model of our product already enables a secure grip on the knife. The slight separation between the gripping surfaces allows for the use of knives of varying sizes, aiming to make our product universally adaptable for the majority of knives.

  Details on the knife's grip
  

  During this session, we redesigned the device, considering the different challenges encountered in order to improve its ergonomy. While the product may initially seem comfortable and functional, it became evident that its previous rectangular structure could lead to discomfort after extended use. To address this issue, we propose incorporating curves to soften these areas and enhance usability. Below, we include some renders we created to illustrate to the progress of the prototype modeled in 3D and to locate the product in context for the better reader's understanding
  
  

  Device's progress

  Product contextualisation

  Our focus for the upcoming week will be on  refining our prototype to meet the highest standards of functionality, comfort and user satisfaction.

• Week #4

  ines.calvo-alier • 04/11/2024 at 08:10 • 0 comments

  In today's class we created the prototype bellow:

  Testing the prototype in a hand to check the ergonomics

  Using Solidworks,  we develop a 3D model tailored to Diego's hand measurements. We meticulously optimized the thickness to ensure maximum comfort and minimized the weight; as for simplifying the printing process, we detected that it wasnt necessary to have this V shape mirrored in one of the sides, because with just one V shape the knife would totally be secured and locked in its placed. Also, getting rid of this part, will lead to reduce material and printing time.

  V shape in both sides.

  
  Additionally, we refined the edges to maintain sharpness while ensuring safety. As you can see in the images, this prototype enters the knife from a different axis so that the force of the hand and the plate counteract each other. Furthermore, we made a very little cut where  the knife is placed so that it adapts to any knife handle, even if it is larger.
  

  
  

• Week #3

  ines.calvo-alier • 04/02/2024 at 15:56 • 0 comments

  In today's class we experimented with the thermoplastic to create more prototypes by entering the knife from another axis so that  the force exerted with the hand when cutting and the vector in the opposite direction generated by the plate counteract each other.

  Thermoplastic Prototype

  As a result, we obtained another insight with this thermoplastic prototype: why should the knife be placed on the outside of the grip? We concluded that placing the knife on the inside of the grip would allow for more control while cutting, as the utensil would be more securely held between the hand and the designed device.

  
  Furthermore we created a new 3D design using software SolidWorks. This new model was designed with the direction of the knife perpendicular to the base. 

  New design ready to be printed

• Week #2

  ines.calvo-alier • 03/28/2024 at 10:29 • 0 comments

  During today's session, a prototype was designed and made ready for 3D printing. The prototype was designed following Diego's hand measurements to test its functionality. 

  We designed two different prototypes, in order to get as much insights as possible from the experience. All models were designed by using 3D Software Solidworks. The material of this product is yet to decide since  we still are investigating which is the most suitable for functionality and manufacture, according to the design chosen.

• Week #1.2

  Bruno • 03/28/2024 at 09:01 • 0 comments

  Simultaneously, we also explored the development of a hand-adaptable clip designed to securely hold the knife. This design is envisioned to be realized through 3D printing technology. To assess user experience, we crafted an initial prototype using thermoplastic shavings, moldable when heated with hot water. Through this method, we successfully shaped the plastic to achieve the desired form. However, initial testing revealed ongoing challenges in usability. As such, our focus will be on forging ahead with this project to achieve substantial progress.
  

  Attached is a photograph of the prototype for reference.

• Week #1.1

  Bruno • 03/28/2024 at 08:59 • 0 comments

  This week, we kicked off our project with a dive into two key ideas pivotal to its success.

  Firstly, our efforts were directed towards crafting a glove tailored to streamline the task of slicing food items, notably meat, while ensuring comfort for the user, Diego. This glove boasts a design that allows for secure and ergonomic knife handling. To materialize this concept, we sewed an initial prototype using fabric scraps. Within the knife insertion area, we integrated a protective and cushioned layer, guaranteeing a smoother experience and mitigating any discomfort or injury resulting from direct knife contact.

  Following this, we proceeded to test the manufactured glove and gauge user experience. Despite our efforts, we identified persistent challenges in activity execution. We detected that most of the time the knife would rotate and wouldn't allow the user to cut food seamlessly. Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in our commitment to refining the glove to enhance the overall user experience.

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