RIGOR
Terence Gelo // Summer 2011
RIGOR Terence Gelo // Summer 2011 junior // university of houston tjgelo@uh.edu
RIGOR CUTTING
TOOLS Cutting tools have been an integral part of human life for longer than we even have record of. Over 38,000 years ago, the oldest human depiction ever to be found was carved using a cutting tool. Today, cutting tools are used in uncountable industries, yet not many substantial changes have been made since they were introduced. The RIGOR line is designed to address the usability and safety issues that have been overlooked for years.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
FOLLOW-THROUGH HANDLING TOOL POOR STABILITY BAD EQUIPMENT WRONG TOOL
9K
90% OWN AT LEAST 3 CUTTING TOOLS
Research
80 7. ARE ONE-HANDED OPENERS
MOST COMMON CAUSES OF INJURY
PERCENT NEW KNIFE SALES
MILLION CONSTRUCTION EM
OF ALL UTILITY KNIF
31.2% ARE WOMEN
60% OWN AT LEAST 2 CUTTING TOOLS PLOYEES
2.1
90% OWN KNIVES OR MULTI-TOOLS
THE DESIGN OF THE X-ACTO™ BRAND’S PRECISION KNIFE SET HASN’T CHANGED SINCE 1930S.
MILLION FIREFIGHTERS
24,775,000 U.S. HOUSEHOLDS OWN CUTTING UTENSILS
STANLEY WORKS™ GROSSED
BILLION IN 2010
E OWNERS, 68.8% ARE MEN AND h t t p : // a k t i . c o m / r e s o u r c e s 2008 Doublebase Mediamark Research & Intelligence h t t p : // s h a r e - n w t . c o m / To o l s / K n i f e I n j u r y P r e v e n t i o n . p d f
$4.48
Task analysis
Subtest
Scenario
S TA N C U T S T H R O U G H F IB E R G L A S S TA P E
S t a n i s o n e o f t h e 7. 7 m i l l i o n construction employees that owns at least 2 cut ting implements. He is using it today to cut through fiberglass tape.
MARK USES A SNAPOFF UTILIT Y KNIFE TO OPEN PLASTIC PACK AGING
M a r k i s o n e o f t h e 24 ,7 7 5 , 0 0 0 U.S. citizens that owns a utility knife. He is using it to slice t h r o u g h a p l a s t i c c o n t a i n e r.
E VA N C U T S F A B R I C FOR A TEXTILE COMPA N Y
Evan uses a r o t ar y cu t t ing t ool to split fabric for a textile c o m p a n y.
E M I LY U S E S A UTILIT Y KNIFE FOR A SCHOOL PROJECT
Emily is one of the 31.2% of women that owns a utility knife. She is cut ting o u t a p i e c e o f Fo a m c o r e™ f o r a presentation board. She is cut ting half way through to make a living hinge.
This task analysis places users deri uncovers problems that they may ha
Considerations
Pain Points
Functionalit y
Can Stan do his job while safely holding on to the utility knife? Stan goes througth blades quickly; are the blades easy to change out?
Non-retracting blade leaves at least 1 hand occupied; Blades go dull quickly; There is no storage for replacement blades.
Final design should be safe to hold; Blades should be easy to exchange; Blade should be prevented from cut ting when not in use.
Can Mark cut through the plastic without the knife continuing through and cut ting him? Are current blade-snapping techniques effective?
There is nothing to prevent the Final design should knife from slipping through incorporate depth control; plastic; It is laborous to Blade-snapping design change blade. should be included.
W h a t d o e s Ev a n d o w h e n h e’s not using the tool? Is it easy for him to cut in a straight line? Does the blade gouge the cut ting sur face?
Blade swings dangerously from lanyard; It is dif ficult to cut a straight line; The rotating blade cuts deep into the cut ting sur face.
Final design should keep blade from swinging freely; A guide would help cut a straight line; A stopping block would keep the blade from cut ting t o o d e e p l y.
Will the hinge work if not at a right angle? Will Emily be able to regulate the depth of her cut?
The current blade is hard to keep at a right angle while cut ting; It is dif ficult for emily to cut without going all the way through.
Final design should incorporate a right angle guide; A stop piece would keep the blade from going all the way through.
ved from market research in fictional situations and ve with the currently offered product.
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CO N
CE
N IZA TIO
PT
UA L
Du p r r in p r o b le g ob m co le s n c m s th e p tu a r at a e s a w e li z a fe r e ti o ty , p id n , r e e n ti id e c is fi a s io e d w n, a n th r e r e d ou s b la g h k e tc de h r s to e s e e d ra a r c to ge h s . . T h o lv e es e
REFINEMENT
During the refinement stage, concepts were chosen and impr
oved based on user research to come up with a final design.
precisi
All of the designs in the RIGOR line improve precision and control, and this improves usability and safety.
on
Execution
Rotary Cutter
Sheath ro blades to cutting ed not in use
flat face keeps blade stable and perpendicular to the cut
Sheath rotates around blades to block cutting edge when not in use
Switch slides forward to operate sheath
Switch slides to switch out blades, and locks to hold in place.
Execution
Snap-off cutter
Chrome lip provides grip to pull out handle Blade-snapping mechanism slides out to make a handle and increase leverage
Black sliding mechanism prevents blade from sliding while cutting
Execution
Utility knife
flat face keeps blade perpendicular to the cut
Back of utility cutter slides out for blade storage
Allows user to choose length of blade exposed
SAFETY DESIGN From the South African hunting arrows of 58,000 B.C. to modern scalpels used to heal the human body, cutting utensils have proven to be a detrimental yet dangerous contributor to the thriving of the human civilization. Here is how the RIGOR line addresses safety: Utility Knife: -Blade storage system keeps blades that aren’t being used safely out of the way. -Ergonomic design means less stress in the hands and therefore moe safety for prolonged use.
Snap-off Cutter: -Elongated handle provides leverage so that blades can be snapped off safely and easily.
Rotary Cutter: - Rotating Sheath hides blade when not in use to protect the user.
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tjgelo@uh.edu
Terence Gelo // junior // University of Houston // summer 2011 tjgelo@uh.edu // 210.618.1240 ///// Thank you for YOUR INTEREST.