Problem Formulation

General Problem:

Rapid prototyping can be improved.

Statement-Restatement

Prototyping labs and projects are often done in immovable locations, which causes limited work capacity, using heavy and expensive machinery, which causes high initial and maintenance costs, and wastes material causing harm to the environment.

Why-Why diagram

• Rapid Prototyping is Inefficient

  • Causes material waste

    • Needs high turnaround, so products are impermanent and often discarded

    • Errors and flaws in devices will make items unusable (also probably discarded)

    • Often times the machines used produces microplastics

  • Slow model development

    • 3d printing, CNC-ing , and other similar technologies take a lot of time to model a product

    • Single machine can be used at a time

    • Sometimes requires one or more specialized users and assembly line (3d print+ milling + sanding + paint and finish, or some similar process)

  • Non movable workspace (can not build product in actual setting, need to be in person to model, etc.

  • Can not transport machinery to build on site for immediate testing

  • Models and simulations are run on a computer (can be mobile but can not take them off)

  • Physical workspaces sometimes need security features which needs more personnel and physical locks

Kepner-Tregoe Analysis

• Situation Analysis

  • Despite the high tech world we live in, there are major advancements to prototyping which can and should be implemented for the efficiency and safety of users and environment.

  • Problem Analysis

    • High turnover of model versions causes materials waste

    • Expensive machinery makes an immovable environment

    • Unless there are a lot of expensive devices, the time for single product production is high.

  • Decision Analysis

    • Reduce material waste by making products virtual

    • make lab portable through virtualization

    • increase speed by instant rendering rather than waiting for printers

  • Potential Problem Analysis

    • Virtual items must be rendered crisply and easily manipulable otherwise it will not take the place of real products