GCSE+EP+-+Analysing+Products

toc Further analysis of an existing product is to disassemble it?
 * Analysing Products**
 * Product Analysis Form **
 * Start by analyzing its external appearance.
 * What clues are there to its intended purpose?
 * Does the colour choice tell you anything?
 * What about the font style if there is any text / writing?
 * Materials **
 * Investigate the materials used
 * What materials are used to produce the product?
 * Is the product laminated or varnished?
 * Or is there some other surface coating?
 * Investigate
 * Function **
 * Where is it intended to be used?
 * Does the product fulfill its function?
 * How does it achieve this?
 * User requirement **
 * Who is the target user?
 * What is the target market?
 * Manufacture **
 * How many are likely to be manufactured
 * What is the scale of production?
 * <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">How is it manufactured?
 * <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What production methods are used?
 * <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What are the stages involved with its manufacture?
 * <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">How is it assembled?
 * <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What other materials are involved in its production?
 * Disassembly**

== A disassembled iPhone 4 is seen during iFixit's teardown of the phone in San Luis Obispo, California. Apple Inc's hot-selling next-generation iPhone sports chips from Samsung Electronics, Micron Technology and STMicroelectronics, according to an early teardown, or disassembly analysis, by technology firm iFixit = Specification criteria = When analysing a product, students should take into account the following specification criteria: Looking at the following electronic products - here are the analysis for each of them using the above headings. The best way to conduct the analysis of existing products is to actually have the product in front of you, this is known as **primary research.** If you just use the internet for your research then this is known as **secondary research.** Large display easy to read Comes in a wide range of colours Temperature probe folds & stores neatly || Looks like a traditional piggy bank Pink in colour - usual colour associated with cute pigs Also available in blue Easy to use coin loader || liquids and soft solids, e.g. Food To be protable Battery operated - cable free Easy to read temperature || Featuring an electronic slot and LCD screen that will automatically add the sum up once a coin inserted. And you have no need to use hammer to smash this piggy bank to withdraw your money. It featured a twist-off lid for easy save-and-take for your children. || attractive to potential users? || Must be easy to read display Even when held in hand Must be compact and portable Easy to use Liquid resistant Easy access to battery compartment || Easy to insert coins Twist off lid which allows access to the coins Easy to read LCD screen Counts money accurately Holds a large number of coins || that must be achieved within the product? || Must have the option to read in Centigrade and Fahrenheit Liquid resistant Folding durable probe Reactive quick temperature probe Low battery indicator - Long battery life -1500 hours Lightweight - 97 grams || Be strong enough to take a large number of coins Long battery life Suitable for young children Shatterproof Easy access with twist off lid 2 AA batteries Accurate counting feature Count in local currency || **component requirements** || How should materials and components perform within the product? || Metal probe fast reacting to temperature change Plastic casing to house electronics Good insulator to heat and electricity Sensitive K thermocouple Liquid resistant Washable "Biomaster" material 2 x 3 volt CR2032 lithium coin cell || Durable, tough plastic e.g. Polyethylene, or ABS. Electronic mounted into lid Possibly manufactured by two different suppliers Tilt/micro switch with weight detector used to identify weight of coins. Programmed microchip to count/calculate total of piggy bank 2 AA batteries LCD Display || materials and/or components || Temperature readings in under 4 seconds Biomaster casing reduces bacterial growth Larger digital display Water-resistant case Compact and ergonomically designed Long battery life using 2 x 3 volt CR2032 lithium coin cell. || Assesses and calculates the value of the coins being dropped into the piggy bank. Casing in a strong, durable, tough plastic e.g. Polyethylene, or ABS. Translucent to allow the contents to be seen. Easy to access- screw on lid which alos houses electronics. Looks like a traditional piggy bank. || materials and/or components || **//Advantages://** Quick temp readings, accurate, quick adjusts to changing temps. Many colours available. Compact, no cables required //**Disadvantages:**// Possibility of probe snapping off, or breaking if dropped, at pivot point || **//Advantages://** Translucent durable tough plastic casing. Electronic components used to counts and calculate the coins being added. LCD display. //**Disadvantages:**// Need to add all the coins again if coins are removed so that it can count them again. Specialised chip - need different program for each set of countries currencies. Could break if dropped/thrown. || and/or components || Colour coding for different different food types. Biomaster casing reduces bacterial growth and is washable Large easy to read digital display Fold away probe - for convenience and safety Battery life - can be used for up to 1500 hours excellent for use in industrial environment. || Very cheap to produce casing is mass produced using extrusion/injection moulding. Electronics components are cheap apart from the microchip used to calculate and weigh the coins. After removal of coins - coins have to be re-inserted into the piggy bank otherwise the Microchip cannot assess the coins, it counts the coins where they are inserted into the piggy bank only. || Probe made from stainless steel, using draw extrusion Electronics as sub manufactured part & assembly - must be compact || Casing manufactured probably using injection or extrusion moulding. Lid also manufactured probably using injection moulding. Electronics are assembled together as a subassembly,then added to the lid. || Electronics can be assembled by specialist company - & easily modified. Rubber seal reduces the risk of water and dust damage. //**Disadvantages**//: Use of many different materials & components. Requires many different manufacturing process / increasing the unit cost. Different colours - requires casing to be batch produced to ensure correct quantities are manufactured. || //**Advantages:**// Mass production using same mould for the casing.Only two colours available Electronics can be assembled by specialist company - & easily modified. Different microchip required for different countries increasing the unit cost || food industry to avoid cross contamination Using rubber seal to make product water proof. Biomaster additives are powerful broad-spectrum inorganic,silver-based biocides for use in plastics, helping to reduce hygiene risks. The concentration of silver, in the patented anti-microbial active agent in Biomaster, provides a release of silver ions on demand, which in turn safely inhibits microbial growth || Mass production of casing and lid pre electronics assembly - allows unit cost to be low. Electronics can be assembled separately as a complete unit, allows for easy modified. || and what are the considerations in determining cost? || Manufactured - large scale batch/mass production 48GBP = 600HK$ || Possibly manufactured by two different suppliers Mass production 8GBP = 100HK$ || environmental considerations? || There are a number of materials used in the assembly of this product. A product disposal or exchange service would be appropriate. Disassemble of the component parts is required for safe and ecological disposal of this product. || Body of piggy bank can be easily recycled Lid needs to be disassemble in order to separate component parts || = Examples = Ideally you will either collect or take photos of your electronic product, you may disassemble it, show it in use, from different angles, then present all your information on one or two A3 sheets (or on your ePortfolio), for your final project it depends on what you are planning to make but you should find at least 3 similar products and maximum analyse 5 products. You need to annotate your research sheets, use the headings above to guide you. You could summarise all your findings in a table similar to the one above. Always add the sources of your information and images directly on these pages. = Materials and component = Students should identify the materials and/or components used in the manufacture of a product, including: This is not so easy particularly if you do not have any detailed information from the manufacturer, or if you have disassembled a product the plastic recycling code still may not be available. Here you are expected to make an educated guess. Ask if you are not sure. Use annotations to identify these points - or add them to the table as in the example ** in red above. **
 * Form
 * Function
 * User requirement
 * Performance requirements
 * Material and component requirements
 * Scale of production
 * Sustainability
 * **//Name//** ||  || **Thermopen** || **Digital Piggybank** ||
 * //**Link**// ||  || @http://www.thermapen.co.uk/about_eti.html || @http://bit.ly/ihWy6F @http://bit.ly/ikdBo2 ||
 * **//Photo//** ||  || [[image:EP_thermopen_in_use.jpg width="144" height="96" align="right"]][[image:EP_Thermapen.jpg width="124" height="103" align="left"]] || [[image:EP_Piggy_BankTopVeiw.jpg width="172" height="172"]] ||
 * **Form** || Why is the product shaped/styled as it is? || Easy to hold in the hand - ergonomically shaped
 * **Function** || What is the purpose of the product? || To test the temperature of
 * **User requirements** || What qualities make the product
 * **Performance requirements** || What are the technical considerations
 * **Material and**
 * ** Properties & qualities ** || The properties and qualities of the
 * ** Advantages & Disadvantages ** || The advantages/disadvantages of the
 * ** Justification ** || Justification of the choice of materials
 * ** Manufacturing **
 * Processes ** || The stages of the manufacturing process || Casing manufactured probably using injection moulding
 * ** Advantages & Disadvantages ** || The advantages/disadvantages of the manufacturing process || **//Advantages//**: Mass production using same mould for the casing.
 * // Disadvantages: //**
 * ** Justification ** || Justification of the choice of manufacturing process || Require range of colours - colour coding for use in
 * **Scale of production and cost** || How does the design allow for scale of production
 * **Sustainability** || How does the design allow for
 * the properties and qualities of the materials and/or components
 * the advantages/disadvantages of the materials and/or components
 * justification of the choice of materials and/or components

For the examples above I have identified which components may be being used - I would then find examples of circuits which would perform in a similar way. When you are investigating electronic circuits and their components - start by finding existing circuits about three or four examples:
 * Electronic Components**

See the example below (Right click on the image and open in new tab to see larger image): = Task = You have been given a number of moisture sensor circuits for the Water-Me Project You should have already began your analysis of existing products, now carry out an analysis of existing circuits.
 * List the components used in the circuits.
 * Draw a systems block diagram for each circuit (include feedback).
 * Explain the main process components, and the effect they have on the circuit.
 * Redraw the circuits by hand with simple modifications, e.g. instead of an LED using a Buzzer, analyse the modifications.

= Manufacturing processes = Students should identify the processes involved in the manufacture of products, including:
 * the stages of the manufacturing process
 * the advantages/disadvantages of the manufacturing process
 * justification of the choice of manufacturing process

This again is not so easy, particularly if you do not have any detailed information from the manufacturer, or even if you have disassembled a product. Oce again you have to make an educated guess. Ask if you are not sure. Use annotations to identify these points - or add them to the table as in the example ** in blue above. **