Proof of Concept

Design

This solution's design is to keep a similar system with wooden track pieces and blocks in order to prop up the tracks. We would add magnets or snap fit connections to each end so that they pieces are about to connect. More detail can be found under the "Concept Design" tab.

Testing Magnets

Finding the correct strength of magnets was one of our biggest concern. We wanted ones strong enough to hold together the tracks but not so strong that they will pinch a child's fingers. The size of the magnets also play a big concern as they could be a choking hazard or swallowed, and swallowing more than one becomes a huge safety concern. Before purchasing any magnets we went to the store to interact with the magnets ourselves, this way we could conceptualize what a certain amount of magnetic pull felt like in use. We desired magnets with holes in the center so we could be able to screw it into the wood and prevent them from coming out, but they still needed to be small enough to fit within the track pieces. There were two main types of magnets that we tested, neodymium and ceramic.

Dangers of Snap-Fit Joints

The snap-fit joints had a safety concern come up as we continued to work with the solution. Though we could make the male ends attached in the track piece very strong so that it will not come out, the ends breaking off was still a very probable occurrence. With children playing with this toy, dropping, throwing, and stepping on these tracks it is highly likely that a piece would break off, and when that happens there is a greater risk of a choking hazard along with the piece no longer being functional.

False Assumptions Made About Design

In thinking of this design we failed to consider that with a ramp system having purely straight track pieces, two tracks that are angled differently will not be able to connect with either the use of magnets or snap-fit joints. In order for the children to experiment with angles, it needed to be possible for them to connect pieces that were not placed at the same angle. This design will not allow them to do that.

Result

From testing the magnets and thinking through the problems that our solutions have we discovered that this idea was not the best one for us or our client. Not only will addressing all of the above problems be very difficult, but making many wooden tracks along with blocks and a varying-height system became too large of a project for the limited time we have.

This design was very opened ended so when moving to a new concept we strove to have a more detailed idea of what the product needs to be. In order to see the next concept that we developed after this testing please visit the "Solution 2" sub-page under "Concept Design". In order to see the next stage of testing the we did please view the "Pegboard Testing" sub-page under this tab.