Introduction to Engineering Analysis - Individual Project Technical Memo

7/28/2019 Introduction to Engineering Analysis - Individual Project Technical Memo

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Sonike Hendricks 1/29/09

Introduction to Engineering Design Section 10

Technical Memo

The Consumer Need

Many college students like working in the comfort of their dormitories which saves them the hassle of

having to g to and from the library to do school work. However sitting at a dorm room desk for hours on

end can actually be quite uncomfortable. Lying in bed or relaxing on a nice sofa is far more comfortable

but it is also awkward to write out home, read a heavy text book or even use a laptop computer. A

solution to this problem is to create a portable workspace that can accommodate this need. The

VersaDesk is similar to a conventional bed desk in its basic functionality but in addition to being a

portable desk it has highly versatile storage options like: book storage, a writing utensil holder, a cubby

for stationery supplies. Additional features include a drink holder, a mouse pad, and a tilt-able center

desk. The main focus for the VersaDesk aside from its function is to be lightweight and durable at the

same time. The surfaces have been machined to remove excess material and give the product an

abstract, modern look and also save weight. The VersaDesk is marketable to customers in need of

portable desk with a variety of storage options, especially to college students. This product creates a

studious workspace in the midst of home comfort creating an ideal study environment.

The Customer Requirements

Tilt-able center desk

Book storage

Stationery supply cubby

Writing utensil holder

Mouse pad

Modern look

Natural wood finish

Rigid structure

Light weight

Satisfactory weight capacity

Easy Storage

The Specifications

Dimensions:

Overall 32.5W X 14.5D X 10.5H

Center Desk20W X 13D

Weight: 8lbs-12lb

Weight Capacity: 15lb-25lb

Materials: Wood

Binding: Wood glue and screws


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The Research

In todays market there exists a number of bed desk which have various designs and levels of

complexity. (See Figure 1) The simplest range of bed desks simply provide an area to write on that rests

on your lap. A level up from that are ones that have legs to hold themselves up and the option of a tilt-

able desk. The most complex design has storage for magazines and small books but does not have

accommodation for stationery supplies, writing utensils, or drinks. Most of these designs weight 6 to 16

pounds and have weight capacities of about 10 to 20 pounds. The price range is 30 dollars for low end

models and up to 90 dollars for high end models.

Figure 1

Various designs of bed desks

The Concepts

There were four major concept alternatives primarily related to maximizing weight capacity and

durability, minimizing weight and cost while at the same time maintaining a clean modern look. In

making these decisions, a Concept Screening Matrix (See Table 1) was used to weigh the pros and cons

of each alternative. The first decision on the concepts was the choice of using wood, aluminum orchromoly as the desks material. Strength-wise the metals are far superior to wood, but are higher in

costs, and are must harder to work with in the manufacturing of the product by hand. After considering

this wood was chosen as the material since it is cheaper, easier to manufacture, and has a more

ergonomic look and feel. The binding of the materials would determine the strength and durability of

the final product so there was a choice between using wood glue, nails or screws to achieve the

strongest and most rigid joint connection. Using the Concept Screening Matrix it was found that it

would be best to use the glue and the screws to achieve a stronger joint than any of the single binding

agents alone. The screws where picked over the nails to be the second binding agent due to the fact that

they would less likely split the wood, are easier to install, and have better holding power7. The third

focus was on reducing weight for increased portability and less hassle. The two options were to eithercut out all the excess material from the surface of the storage compartments or use wooden bars as the

surface of the storage compartments. Even though both methods would save considerable amounts of

weight, the option of cutting the excess material out of the storage compartments was used, because it

would be a lot easier to accomplish and cutting creative holes into the surfaces would create and nice

look for the desk. The last concept was the choice of hinge for the tilt-able center desk. Using one long

hinge would make a better connection to the desk, and be more rigid, while using multiple hinges would


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be harder to install for a fluid motion of the desk, and also would be less rigid. For these reason the long

hinge was chosen as the hinge type to be used.

Table 1 Concept Screening Matrix

Concept Screening Matrix

SelectionCriteria

Binding Weight Reduction Material Hinge Type

WoodGlue

Screws Nails RemoveExcess

Material

UseBars

Wood Aluminum Chromoly SingleLong

Hinge

MultipleShort

Hinges

Weight + + + + + + + 0 0 0

Strength 0 + + + 0 - + + + +

Durability 0 + + 0 0 0 + + + +

Cost + 0 + + + + - - 0 +

Ease of Manufacturing + + 0 + 0 + - - + 0

Clean Look and Feel + 0 - + + + 0 0 + 0

Score 4 4 3 5 4 3 0 -1 4 3

Rank 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2

Continue Combine Combine No Yes No Yes No No Yes No

The Testing

Construction of the prototype has not begun yet therefore no testing has been done yet, but testing

results will be included in the final presentation of this project.

The Prototype: See Apendix A

Appendix A

CAD ModelTrimetric Veiw


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Drawing 1 Trimetric View

Drawing 2 Top Veiw


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Drawing 3 Front Veiw

Drawing 4 Right Veiw


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Reference

1. http://www.breakfasttray.com/store/700c.htm2. http://www.become.com/shop?&q=laptop%20bed%20desk&reab=101&nofilter3. http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-

1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_sr

c=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

4. http://sitincomfort.com/foldingtable.html5. http://www.dynamic-living.com/product/bed-desk/FROOGLE/6. http://www.acehardware.com/sm-selecting-and-using-screws-and-nails--bg-1299655.html7. http://www.contractortalk.com/f4/screws-vs-nails-2645/
http://www.breakfasttray.com/store/700c.htmhttp://www.breakfasttray.com/store/700c.htmhttp://www.become.com/shop?&q=laptop%20bed%20desk&reab=101&nofilterhttp://www.become.com/shop?&q=laptop%20bed%20desk&reab=101&nofilterhttp://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://sitincomfort.com/foldingtable.htmlhttp://sitincomfort.com/foldingtable.htmlhttp://www.dynamic-living.com/product/bed-desk/FROOGLE/http://www.dynamic-living.com/product/bed-desk/FROOGLE/http://www.acehardware.com/sm-selecting-and-using-screws-and-nails--bg-1299655.htmlhttp://www.acehardware.com/sm-selecting-and-using-screws-and-nails--bg-1299655.htmlhttp://www.contractortalk.com/f4/screws-vs-nails-2645/http://www.contractortalk.com/f4/screws-vs-nails-2645/http://www.contractortalk.com/f4/screws-vs-nails-2645/http://www.acehardware.com/sm-selecting-and-using-screws-and-nails--bg-1299655.htmlhttp://www.dynamic-living.com/product/bed-desk/FROOGLE/http://sitincomfort.com/foldingtable.htmlhttp://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-6994618-1339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001http://www.become.com/shop?&q=laptop%20bed%20desk&reab=101&nofilterhttp://www.breakfasttray.com/store/700c.htm

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Introduction to Engineering Analysis - Individual Project Technical Memo