Design Analysis of the Slash Clamps - Research Paper Example

Table of contents 0 Introduction 2 1 Back ground research on sash clamps 2 2 Design 2 2.0 Conducting a Market Research 3 2 Research to establish and analyse competitors attributes 3 3.0 Design analysis of the clamp 4 Effects on the environment 4 Product life span 4 Quality and reliability of the sash clamp 4 Aesthetics of the clamp 4 Cost and affordability 5 Quantity 5 Marketing 5 Packaging 5 Size and weight restriction 5 Shipping 6 This product will be shipping to worldwide. Shipping within the European region will be done by road, train or other deliver services depending with the country in question. Outside European region the items will be shipped by sea or air depending on the bulkiness of the items. 6 4.0 Concepts 6 4.1 Features 6 4.2 Concept analysis 7 4.3 Concept evaluation 7 Need and suitability 7 Suitability 8 Point(s) 8 4.4 Design selection 8 4.5 Results and reflection 8 Bibliography 9 1.0 Introduction Sash clamps are simple clamping devices that are often used in carpentry workshops, woodworking and similar fields. Sash clamps are ideally meant to make work easier in these fields. Depending on customer requirements, sash clamps are made of different sizes, materials, color and complexity. 1.1 Back ground research on sash clamps Sash clamps are used to hold two pieces of metal, wood or any other material tightly together. Sash clamp users choose them depending on the task they them for. It is thus important to consider customer preferences. 1.2 Design description Sash clamps can be made of different materials, sizes, color, and length making them ideal for different fields of applications. An ideal sash clamp normally comprises of clamp devices. For each clamp device making the sash clamp is made of metals. For instance the, the bars are constructed using steel metal, while the head and the sides of the sash clamp are made of iron. This combination is ideal for ensuring effective use of the clamp without the fear of it getting damaged or devices wearing out. This report requires that a sash clamp be designed using the resources that are available within the workshop. The sash clamp should be durable, portable, convenient, efficient and tough. For convenience purposes, it is desirable that the size of the designed clamp be able to fit in a workshop`s toolbox. A sash clamp model is shown below, Fig. 1 a sash clamp 2.0 Conducting a Market Research A market research nationally, regionally and internationally is vital in determining what the customer`s specifications and preferences are regarding the product. Information about customer preferences and specifications can be obtained through the following methods: Administering questionnaires Conducting interviews Observations Determination of supply and market demand is critical at this stage. 2.1 Research to establish and analyse competitors attributes A proper market research may help in revealing the strategies of the competitors which would go a long way in determining the preferences of the general clientele. Product/Brand Size Material Quality Weight (Kgs) Cost(€) comments 200 134 Aluminum-alloy High 1.2 13.75 It is aluminium alloy made and very convenient for carpentry and construction. 200 × 129 Steel High 1.4 15.25 It is steel made and its quality is high. It is relatively cheap 270 Aluminum High 1.52 19.35 It is steel made and its quality is high. It is relatively expensive as aluminum is expensive. 3.0 Design analysis of the clamp Effects on the environment The sash clamp is made of material that is recyclable. This is the best choice of material since it is environment friendly. These sash clamps are long lasting and hence they reduce the chances of pollution to the environment by being thrown away or disposed to the environment. The sash clamp is painted all over its surface to avoid corrosion due to rusting. This makes it even more attractive and suits the customers since majority of them would choose different colours according to their preference. Product life span The sash clamp is made of a material that is long lasting. The clamp is expected to last for a long time of up to 15 years in use. This product is made up of several devices of which some are expected to get worn out with time and would need replacement. Therefore, every device in the sash clamp will need to have spare parts mobilised into the market after the release of the product. This will give the users ample time during break down of some of the clamp`s parts during the use of the clamp. Quality and reliability of the sash clamp During the manufacture of the clamps it is necessary to consider the quality of the product other than just the quantity. This will guarantee the customers quality service from this product since they have invested in purchasing them to get the service. It is also desirable that the items purchased do not break down before the warranty expires. This will ensure quality on the side of the customer. Aesthetics of the clamp The sash clamp should look very attractive. This can be achieved by use of a variety of colours. Cost and affordability The majority of the sash clamp users are middle class people. Pricing of this item is therefore of great concern. It should be affordable to the users and it should also not be too cheap as this can compromise its quality. Besides, it can lead to losses on the side of the manufacturer if the cost is set too low. The demand of these items is expected to rise across the globe with time. This will result to the urge for shipping of these items to the customers abroad. In that regard, the shipping costs should be met by the final consumer by quoting the items price that is inclusive of the shipping costs. This price though should not be too high as it will counter competition from other cheaper products from other countries. Quantity It is expected that during the first month, the sash clamp will sell fewer items since it’s new into the market and not many customers have identified the product. It is estimated to sell around 1000 items during the first month. However, it is expected that with time and professional advertising it’s going to pick and fetch markets all over the world. Marketing It is expected that proper advertising will be launched in order to sensitize potential customers. Advertising will be through electronic and print media advertising. This includes various television stations, radio stations and potential newspapers. Packaging The packaging of the sash clamp should be well done to avoid damaging the item. It should be packaged in a well modelled carton and shock absorbers placed in place to avoid breakage. This will ensure delivery to the final destination in same condition as it left the manufacturer. Size and weight restriction The total weight should not go beyond 1.35Kg in weight The total length should not exceed 1200cm Shipping This product will be shipping to worldwide. Shipping within the European region will be done by road, train or other deliver services depending with the country in question. Outside European region the items will be shipped by sea or air depending on the bulkiness of the items. 4.0 Concepts Concepts and features are compared as shown below. 4.1 Features 4.2 Concept analysis Concepts Good features Bad features Concept 1 Light in weight and long life span Big size and may be affected by rust Concept 2 Long life span and its relatively cheap Heavy and rusts Concept 3 Does not rust, recyclable, long life span and light in weight It is relatively expensive but affordable 4.3 Concept evaluation Need Point(s) Design features that must be included to ensure proper functioning 4 Design features that must be included to ensure it lasts longer 3 Design features that must be included but can be varied to design parameters 2 Design features that only need to be included if physically and economically possible. 1 Design features that are not essential to meet the design needs. 0 Need and suitability Suitability Point(s) Optimum suitability 3 Nearly suitable 2 Marginally suitable 1 unsuitable 0 4.4 Design selection Ideal design selection Design features Concept designs Ideal design 1 2 3 NxS NxS NxS NxS Positive function 2x1 3x1 3x3 4x3 Simple layout 1x2 1x2 2x3 4x3 Efficient action 3x1 3x2 3x4 4x3 Ease of manufacture 3x4 2x2 4x1 4x3 Ease of assembly 2x2 2x4 2x2 4x3 Serviceability 1x3 3x2 4x2 4x3 Low cost 3x1 2x3 3x1 4x3 Safety 2x3 4x1 2x4 4x3 Total 35 39 54 96 4.5 Results and reflection The table of design selection shows that concept 3 is the best from all the concepts analyzed in the table of need and suitability. Bibliography Hilka. (2011). Aluminium Sash Clamps Pro Craft. http://b2b.hilka.co.uk/product_detail.asp?s=64031200 Bureau of labor statistics. (2012). market research analysts. Available: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm. Last accessed 6th March 2013. Do it yourself. (2011). How to organize your Sash Clamp for maximum efficiency. Available: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-organize-Sash-Clamp . Last accessed 6th Nov 2012. Sash Clamp. (2012). Sash Clamp 7 Tray 17"/430mm. Available: http://www.sashclamp.co.uk/laser-3486-sash-clamp-7-sash-13491-113020 . Last accessed 6th March 2013. Read More