Blitz Magazine

part Design
BoDy
The body subassembly forms a significant percentage of the products overall form
factor, cost and function. The base component also contributes to a substantial
portion of the overall cost of the product, with the largest and most complex
individual parts. The redesigned base was driven by aesthetic development and
manufacturing optimisation, with a significant reduction in the number of parts and
tooling complexity.
The form factor of the base was redesigned to reduce the products footprint, an
important feature of a kitchen appliance. By reducing the complexity of the organic
base, tooling cost, cycle time and material usage where also reduced, driving down
the price of the overall product. By reducing under-utilised volume in the base,
the product form factor could be simplified and modernised. A two part assembly
was used to optimise internal component placement and the parting line between
these components was used as a material breakup point, adding to the overall
contemporary aesthetic valued by the target audience. In-mold detailing was used
to replace the pad-printed finishing, streamlining manufacturing and reducing cost
amortise over the lifetime of the product.
Minimising the number and complexity of parts impacts on the sustainability of the
product, reducing material waste, tooling complexity and making the product more
suitable for end of use disassembly and recycling. Reducing the overall footprint of
the base improves shipping efficiency and minimizes packaging material required.
To improve storage and use of the product, a cord management feature was
added. This feature makes the product easier to store when not in use, adding to
the functionality of convenient and fast beverage preparation. A recess in the base
of the body acts as a housing for the cord during storage, and prevents dust from
entering the body through ventilation areas.
As a result of reducing the size of the body, ventilation and vibration dampening
become a design issue to be addressed. Adding ventilation on the base of the
product enabled complex vent hole patterns to be manufactured without the need
for sliding cores and complex molds. Further more, an internal ribbing and rail
system was implemented to increase the structural integrity of the body. These
rails serve to align internal components, improve assembly processes and improve
vibration dampening during use.
SKUDesign
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