The document summarizes the product development process for a new plant photosynthesis measurement device. It describes the research phase which identified target user groups and competitive devices. Several design concepts were developed with a focus on ergonomics and making the device smaller and easier to hold than competitors. Prototypes and models were created to refine the design. The concept was finalized in CAD files and 3D printed models. Production of the device is scheduled to begin in November 2016.
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Contents
Design Background – Greg/Barry
Research Phase - Barry
The User
Competitive Set
Related Areas of Design
Design Inspiration
Design Details
Concept Phase - Barry
Refinement Phase - Barry
Finalization Phase – Greg/Barry
The Rest of the Story - Greg
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Design Background – Handoff to Bazza Design
Design parameters to consider for the device:
Cost Sensitive Design
Symmetrical design for no-handedness
Design to minimize light leak
Grip that helps with air flow/heat dissipation
Body color choice needs to be made for light containment (Black vs other colors)
Include some form of wrist attachment (Wiimote)
Design to be hearty/rugged
To have a Cuvette Holder or way to secure one
May need to be water resistant (gasket a consideration)
LED light to show it is in use and or “on”
May incorporate a Beep or Buzz to suggest that the reading is done
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Competitive Set
Most devices in this set are clunky
box like designs. Only a few look
like they were given any ergonomic
consideration. Our goal was to
surpass all of these designs in form
and comfort.
SPAD 502 Plus
Chlorophyll
Meter
VG-Meter-200
VS-1
CIRAS-3
CL-01
Chlorophy
ll Content
System
Rapitest
Mini Plant
Photosynthesis
Meter
Photon Systems
Instruments
Chlorophyll
Fluorescence
CCM200
Chlorophyll
Content Meter
Portable Photosynthesis
System Model CI 340
LAQUA Twin EC
Meter
Field Scout CM
1000 Chlorophyll
Meter
DUALEX SCIENTIFIC+™
Chlorophyll and
Polyphenol-Meter
LCpro-SD
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Related Areas of Design
These are good examples of form and faction being
combined in a proper way. Most all represent wireless
connected devices too.
Mini Protimeter
Moisture Meters
Protimeter
Digital Mini
Moisture Meter
BLD5702
flower power wireless plant
sensor by Parrot
Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant
Gadget
Edyn Smart Garden System
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Design Inspiration
The examples shown here represent various design to aspire
to be in the case of form, ruggedness and ergonomics.
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Design Details
We were focused early on with the fact that some details
may make or break the design. So special emphasis was
going to be given to assembly methods (Screw placement),
rubber covers for the electrical outputs and a proper
attachment for a lanyard .
Screw
Integration
Rubber
Grommets
Lanyards and
attachment
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Concept Development
Research Findings:
Most competition is boxy, ugly, large in size or all three.
The best designs integrate color
The best looking designs are smaller and hand held
Nothing on the market found that looks and works like MSU’s design.
Most designs are “clamp down” or “point and shoot” designs.
It will be easy to design and build something that is functional and
better looking than most products in the market.
Concept Development Next Steps:
Pick Detail Design Directions (rugged, sophisticated, grip details, etc.)
Consider Color
Pick a Lanyard and purchase.
Pick a Rubber Grommet and purchase. Get CAD if it is available.
Start Concept Phase based on Criteria selected.
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Concept Development
Where we started from:
Shown is the 3D printed hand built prototype. It was functional but
was basically two blocks screwed together with a living hinge and a
electronic tether. The team at MSU knew that they need to marry the
functions with an ergonomically pleasing design. That is where Bazza
Design came in.
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Concept Development
Refinement of the raw components:
MSU personnel refined their mechanical data to a new form factor
that included a vertical jaw like reader area that could consistently
clamp down on a plant leaf. This was the beginnings of Bazza Design’s
from studies.
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Concept Development
Hand sketching many Ideas
Form studies were hand sketched in quick fashion to
Explore shape, size and ergonomic considerations.
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Concept Development
Based on favored shapes from the hand sketches
Refined first thoughts where created around the
Mechanical 3D provided by MSU.
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Concept Development
Based on favored shapes from the hand sketches
Refined first thoughts where created around the
Mechanical 3D provided by MSU.
Concept 4
Concept 5
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Concept Development
Form Study Model
A actual size model was made to address overall size and comfort in
the hand. It was determined from this hand build foam model that we
needed to shrink the height a bit and add in the grip details to help
with a comfortable grip. Button location and overall length was
considered good to go. We used the study model to also determine if
we could fit the battery into the back of the design. This was also
confirmed with this model.
Model studies from start to current
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Concept Refinement
Final 3D Refinement
Details from the foam model and other refined
mechanical s where used to finalize a proper shape and
form for the device. Here are renderings of the final
theme surface that was used to create the CAD release.
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Concept Finalization
Latest Results in CAD. Finalization of the main
body parts are shown here. Tooling costs are
being finalized from these files.