dann2707 Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Basicallllllly. One of my assignments for Uni is to optimise a simple product, it can be anything and to optimise it for a particular use. A few examples given are, a bike frame optimised for downhill or road racing use. Another one is a motorbike optimised for touring or for speed. A good one that was given was, the spare wheel in the back of your car which is not always easy to remove and get the tools out when you have a flat tyre to be optimised so that it's easy to use and be taken out etc. Can anyone think of a product or something that you use that doesn't work as well as it should, or could be simply changed to make your life easier? I have a few ideas but wanting to know if theres anything TF can think of that would be better. My report has to be a max of 10 pages so needs to have quite a lot of background info that I can research, look into faults and reasons why. Thanks for any ideas!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Not having to press my tv remote buttons as hard to make it work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny00135 Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Could you optimise something with a specific audience in mind? for example something that everyone finds easy to use but a disabled or elderly person may struggle with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hI-OOPS-CAPS Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Is this engineering or design? If this is the basis of something that leads you further into your education I'd recommend researching robust design and Taguchi's method. If you know the function and limits of whatever the device is subjected to then it should be possible to optimise the device so it lasts many uses/cycles (refers to 6 sigma - something the Japanese follow and why Hondas/Toyotas go on forever). Of course the more random or more variables you have the harder it is to design for. I don't believe I've answered your question, but it may be of value to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsiain Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 not having to get out of bed when light is on 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 not having to get out of bed when light is on curtains? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dann2707 Posted January 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Not having to press my tv remote buttons as hard to make it work. Interesting idea! Thanks. Re-ad me on facebook ya bast! Could you optimise something with a specific audience in mind? for example something that everyone finds easy to use but a disabled or elderly person may struggle with it? Yep! That's pretty much ideal. Is this engineering or design? If this is the basis of something that leads you further into your education I'd recommend researching robust design and Taguchi's method. If you know the function and limits of whatever the device is subjected to then it should be possible to optimise the device so it lasts many uses/cycles (refers to 6 sigma - something the Japanese follow and why Hondas/Toyotas go on forever). Of course the more random or more variables you have the harder it is to design for. I don't believe I've answered your question, but it may be of value to you. This is for my Engine design module so moreso design Thanks for the info!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 I saw a video where a dude optimised a wheelchair so it was dirt cheap, and it was lever powered, in such a way that you could, just by changing where you held the levers it would give you sick speed or sick torque. Great for offroading, if you live somewhere where pavements and roads aren't so common or well (lol) looked after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Toasters suck? Always burn more on second use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 That's cause it's already warm, you need to adjust the time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash-Kennard Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 (edited) what software are you planning to use for this analysis? I currently have a deadline for this on monday and have been optimising a rollcage in a group. also are you doing it linear static and isotropic? if so something simple is definitely the place to start. also what type of optimisation are you doing? topology? and are you thinking just weight reduction or making something abit stiffer? if any of the above, i would have ago at some forks or a rim, something that is simple and wont rape you on cpu time EDIT: even simpler is a brake booster, abit harder would be a bashring/plate as you then have to consider impact Edited January 4, 2013 by Ash-Kennard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Engine design module... optimise a toaster/can opener/bashring. Yawhat? Surely the obvious thing to do would be at the very least car oriented... But what sort of optimisation? Are we talking the sort of CAE stuff Ash is talking about or are you talking about looking at an existing engine bay and optimising the location of the various service components to make life easier to carry out basic maintenance or to change an air/oil filter/plugs etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash-Kennard Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Engine design module... optimise a toaster/can opener/bashring. Yawhat? Surely the obvious thing to do would be at the very least car oriented... But what sort of optimisation? Are we talking the sort of CAE stuff Ash is talking about or are you talking about looking at an existing engine bay and optimising the location of the various service components to make life easier to carry out basic maintenance or to change an air/oil filter/plugs etc? yeah my bad, got CAE cw stuck in my head abit atm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 I always thought remote controls for TVs should use Bluetooth instead of infrared... so they would always work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 I always thought remote controls for TVs should use Bluetooth instead of infrared... so they would always work. But if they used bluetooth they'd never work at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Never had any issues with my Ps3 controller. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 That's cause it's already warm, you need to adjust the time! Why? It should take that into account. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe O'Connor Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Design a system for a trials bike that stops everyone asking you why it doesn't have a set/ why it has holes in the rims Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 (edited) The toaster is a good idea. I also find it annoying. Furthermore, you need to tune the knob to how much bread there is inside. The less there is, the more burnt it'll be. I think an optimised toaster should take into account whether it's cold or hot and how much bread there is inside. Perhaps also judge the temperature of the bread, if it's frozen, it should be defrosted first. A simple infrared sensor will do the trick. However, such a solution would require replacing the timer with a knob where you set how well done you want the toasts to be. So say a scale of 1-5, where 5 would be severely burnt and 3 would be light brown? Also, what about a fan for cooling toasts? I love toasts with Marmite but I always feel that there should be a layer of butter between the Marmite and toast. The butter mustn't dissolve, else the Marmite will be incorrectly spread and taste funny. It's really annoying how after making toasts I have to put them into the fridge for about 5 minutes before applying butter. A fan would be a lot better. Edited January 6, 2013 by Greetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 (edited) Why? It should take that into account. It should, but it doesn't so this is the only way to avoid black toast. The toaster is a good idea. I also find it annoying. Furthermore, you need to tune the knob to how much bread there is inside. The less there is, the more burnt it'll be. I think an optimised toaster should take into account whether it's cold or hot and how much bread there is inside. Perhaps also judge the temperature of the bread, if it's frozen, it should be defrosted first. A simple infrared sensor will do the trick. However, such a solution would require replacing the timer with a knob where you set how well done you want the toasts to be. So say a scale of 1-5, where 5 would be severely burnt and 3 would be light brown? Also, what about a fan for cooling toasts? I love toasts with Marmite but I always feel that there should be a layer of butter between the Marmite and toast. The butter mustn't dissolve, else the Marmite will be incorrectly spread and taste funny. It's really annoying how after making toasts I have to put them into the fridge for about 5 minutes before applying butter. A fan would be a lot better. My brother's toaster isn't far off that, actually. It has a knob that makes it toast for longer, depending on perhaps the bread thickness, but more likely just preference. It also has a button that extends the time if your bread is frozen. It has another button that reduces the time, maybe if the toast is already done, or if you're reheating the toast because you answered the door or something and it went cold. Maybe also it's there for if the toaster's warm already. It has another button but I don't know what it's for. I need to find the manual! Edited January 6, 2013 by Revolver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 optimise bin bags - something to stop them caving in on themselves just as you're trying to scrape something rancid into them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 My brother's toaster isn't far off that, actually. It has a knob that makes it toast for longer, depending on perhaps the bread thickness, but more likely just preference. It also has a button that extends the time if your bread is frozen. It has another button that reduces the time, maybe if the toast is already done, or if you're reheating the toast because you answered the door or something and it went cold. Maybe also it's there for if the toaster's warm already. It has another button but I don't know what it's for. I need to find the manual! My toaster also has various buttons and knobs, some of which you've mentioned. But you need a PhD to be able to use them all with success. I hate toasters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 More than you hate printers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 More than you hate printers? That's a good idea actually, Dan could optimise my printer so the f**king b*****d actually works. I don't understand why it has to make noises for 2 minutes before it starts to print. I don't think it's possible to hate something more than a printer. I've found that a good way to keep it in one piece is using one that doesn't belong to you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzo Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 (refers to 6 sigma - something the Japanese follow and why Hondas/Toyotas go on forever). Is that because the brakes wont work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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