Blog entry 2 ( Week 4 )

Hi guys its me back again with another week of ICPD.

This week, my group and I tried using SCAMPER to generate a variety of ideas and methods to improve the device we are making such as changing of shape, adding of valves and other applications. With the different SCAMPER ideas, we then used the Feasibility Analysis to ensure that our product design is feasible and also help us to sieve out ideas quickly regarding budget. project timeline, operational feasibility and technical feasibility.

Afterwards we used the COWS Matrix to decide which idea is the best to work on.

SCAMPER:

SCAMPER is a quick, easy and direct form of creative brainstorming. You use the tool by asking questions about existing products, using each of the seven prompts above. These questions help you come up with creative ideas for developing new products, and for improving current ones.

It stands for:

S = Substitute C = Combine A = Adapt M = Modify P = Put to Another Use E = Eliminate R = Reverse

My group's scamper is applied on the device that makes clarified butter.

Feasibility Analysis:

With Scamper being done, we can now proceed to feasibility analysis to ensure that our product design is feasible and also help us to sieve out ideas quickly regarding budget, project timeline, operational feasibility and technical feasibility.

Budget

Budget is all about the money that we need to spend on like the consumables, equipment,

external laboratory testing, engineering modification/outsourcing, waste disposal and transportation.

Project timeline

We need to ensure that the project can be completed within the given timeframe example chemicals/equipment delivery, equipment modification/repair license application.

Technical and Operational Feasibilities It concerns with whether proper resources exist or are reasonably attainable to implement a project including the availability of a project space, utilities, chemicals and materials, equipment, and technical capability of the organisation.

Technical Feasibility,

We need to ensure whether;

• The project is feasible within the limits of current technology
  

• Does the technology exist at all?
  

• Does the lab have sufficient space to support the project?
  

• Are the required utilities available?

• Does the lab have necessary testing and fabrication equipment?
  

• Does it need any computer software and hardware?
  

• Do we possess the necessary technical expertise and skills?
  

Operational Feasibility,

We ask ourselves;

• Does the project team have sufficient manpower to carry out the project?
  

• Is it legal to operate the project?
  

• Is it safe to operate the project?
  

• Is it against any organisational policy?

Idea Screening Process My team then agreed to continue with our design on making a device to produce clarified butter.

My Team's Ideas

The first idea was to put a small cylinder inside a big cylinder and put a red heating coil in between the two cylinders. However, there was an issue. The water and milk solid contents will be formed at the top which will then be needed to remove by the user thus this idea did not work out.

The second idea was to input a solenoid valve which will be connected to the side of the sensor that will measure the density or the colour of the content at the bottom of the inner cylinder so that once the process is done, the solenoid valve will open due to the difference in density or colour.

The third idea is the same as the second idea but the only change is the side of the inner

cylinder. It should be rounded at the side so that the user will be able to collect all the pure butter without wasting all of it.

Team Feasibility Analysis Table

The table below shows Idea 1 which is the butter separator:

The table below shows Idea 2 which is the butter separator with solenoid valve:

The table below shows Idea 3 which is the butter separator with solenoid valve and change in shape:

Cow Matrix

On the day that we were supposed to do the cow matrix, all of my team members were absent due to them being sick and i was the only member of my team to be present in class. I really needed some help for the COWS Matrix so two of my team members, Asraf and Valerie, called me to discuss about it. Eventually we came out with 5 criteria and the top 3 that we are going to use. Thankfully we did it on time despite the difficulty we faces.

COWS decision matrix is used to evaluate these 3 options

Criteria: 5 evaluation criterions were selected • Cost effectiveness • Availability of parts • Ease of Fabrication • Storage Capacity • Ease of use

Options: The 3 ideas from the ideation stage

• Butter Separator

• Butter Separator with Solenoid Valve

• Butter Separator with solenoid Valve and change in shape
  

Weightage (must be added up to 100%) : Each criterion will be assigned a weightage based on the level of importance.

Scores: The options will be scored against the criteria based on a rating scale of 1 to 3 1 being the poorest and 3 being the best.

The cow matrix below is my team's cow matrix:

Based on the cow matrix, idea 3 has the highest score thus my group will be making a butter separator with solenoid valve and change in shape.

Thats what my team has completed so far. Stay tuned for the next blog where i will talk about my Week 5 experience along with the making of a cardboard joinery.

to be continued....