Control box design

Hewitt, Ian and Watson, Bruce (2001) Control box design. [Artefact]

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Abstract

The project involved the development of a control box for use with Applied Imaging’s pathology workstation. Hewitt’s solution was a simple design incorporating two joysticks and four buttons for both single and two handed use. The design had to be durable and robust for the clinical environment and intuitive requiring a very small learning curve by its clinical users. Although the product was designed for mass injection moulding, subsequently, the client decided they would only require limited production runs. It was therefore produced using rapid prototyping techniques; SLA masters through to polyurethane castings. Hewitt worked closely with a rapid prototyping company, Amtech, who advised on the polyurethane casting process and produced the final products for Applied Imaging. The aim is to minimise ambiguities and client concerns and this project built upon earlier work with Electrolux, Domaille and other multinational product manufacturers. His work utilises digital technologies and has been instrumental in the development of expertise to support CfDR’s multidisciplinary collaborative research projects including engineering and technological development used to integrate healthcare services and training and product development for ONE NorthEast (research project income £113K). Watson’s role was to oversee the project from a timing point of view and to co-ordinate the efforts of the engineering team. He also supported the validation of the end engineering data for manufacture. Applied Imaging, found the final polyurethane prototype to be so effective, they used it as the final product; thereby, eliminating further costs. The control box has been a great success for the company, and several production re-runs have been requested. It is now perceived as an integrated part of the workstation. The design has also benefited the company in terms of user satisfaction as it is far easier to use than predecessors.

Item Type:	Artefact
Subjects:	H600 Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Department:	Faculties > Arts, Design and Social Sciences > Design
Depositing User:	EPrint Services
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2008 11:48
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2017 08:20
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/268

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