Product Viability
Excellent description of loads, materials, energy, and various types of necessary engineering. Laws, codes, and regulations were researched. Ethical responsibility was considered.
Device Limits:
The Surf-Clean is not designed to support any load other than its own mass and the mass of basic cleaning solution inside of the detachable fluid container while full. The device should not be under the weight or pressure of more than 10 lbs from any direction in order to preserve the device in its best condition. The device should not be dropped from any height above 2 in. The device should not be left in rain or submerged in any liquid.
Device Materials:
The Surf-Clean's outer shell and all other structural components (aside from small steel screws) are comprised of white ABS, and the device fits within a 7 by 7 by 5 in volume. The device will be manufactured with electronics consisting of one small computer brain, 6 small electric motors, four push-sensors, one per side, four brightness sensors, simple wiring, one rechargeable battery pack and USB power input, one LCD screen of 1 by 2 inches, and three push-buttons. The cloth spinners themselves will be on a thin steel axle and will consist of a mostly hollow ABS cylinder, while the cloth that is attached to them will be a removable, one use paper fabric similar to a swifter pad.
Energy Usage:
The device will use a 1000-watt rated rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack which will have a 20 hour lifespan.
Engineering Required:
For this product, there will need to be material science, chemical science, electrical engineering, computer programming, robotics, and fluid mechanics.
Laws, Codes, Regulations, and Ethics:
For ethics, we decided to use a cleaning solution that is as environmentally safe as possible, though it is labeled that this solution is basic and should not be ingested at all or disposed of into the environment without dilution. We have also labeled our product in accordance with the law that forces all cleaning product makers to cite every component of the solution.
Laws - a new law put in place in California forces any cleaning product sold within the state to disclose information related to the chemicals that are put in the cleaning product. In new york a recent law also now forces manufacturers to give certain information such as
For lithium batteries to be FDA approved they must contain two or more cells connected in series, parallel, or both, that convert chemical energy into electrical energy the requirements are to prevent the batteries from injuring consumers with potential of lighting fire or exploding.
Device Limits:
The Surf-Clean is not designed to support any load other than its own mass and the mass of basic cleaning solution inside of the detachable fluid container while full. The device should not be under the weight or pressure of more than 10 lbs from any direction in order to preserve the device in its best condition. The device should not be dropped from any height above 2 in. The device should not be left in rain or submerged in any liquid.
Device Materials:
The Surf-Clean's outer shell and all other structural components (aside from small steel screws) are comprised of white ABS, and the device fits within a 7 by 7 by 5 in volume. The device will be manufactured with electronics consisting of one small computer brain, 6 small electric motors, four push-sensors, one per side, four brightness sensors, simple wiring, one rechargeable battery pack and USB power input, one LCD screen of 1 by 2 inches, and three push-buttons. The cloth spinners themselves will be on a thin steel axle and will consist of a mostly hollow ABS cylinder, while the cloth that is attached to them will be a removable, one use paper fabric similar to a swifter pad.
Energy Usage:
The device will use a 1000-watt rated rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack which will have a 20 hour lifespan.
Engineering Required:
For this product, there will need to be material science, chemical science, electrical engineering, computer programming, robotics, and fluid mechanics.
Laws, Codes, Regulations, and Ethics:
For ethics, we decided to use a cleaning solution that is as environmentally safe as possible, though it is labeled that this solution is basic and should not be ingested at all or disposed of into the environment without dilution. We have also labeled our product in accordance with the law that forces all cleaning product makers to cite every component of the solution.
Laws - a new law put in place in California forces any cleaning product sold within the state to disclose information related to the chemicals that are put in the cleaning product. In new york a recent law also now forces manufacturers to give certain information such as
- Whether ingredients are present on one or more lists of concern regardless of whether the identity of the chemical is withheld due to a CBI claim;
- Whether ingredients are nanoscale materials;
- The function of ingredients
- Information regarding investigations and research the manufacturer has conducted or directed regarding environmental or health effects of ingredients.
For lithium batteries to be FDA approved they must contain two or more cells connected in series, parallel, or both, that convert chemical energy into electrical energy the requirements are to prevent the batteries from injuring consumers with potential of lighting fire or exploding.
Life Cycle - Pre-Manufacture
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Life Cycle - Manufacture
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Life Cycle - Product Delivery
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Life Cycle - Use
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Life Cycle - Disposal
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Summary
In this stage I learned just how much waste there is when manufacturing pretty much anything. The carbon footprint is far bigger than most people can imagine it being, mostly because of the transportation of materials and products. This also forced me to learn what ABS plastic is comprised of, and how circuit boards are made.
I would say it is important to know about a product's life cycle because it tells you how much goes in and out of the product. It shows the impact the product will have, both on you and the environment, all at once, and it can open up your mind about making improvements to the process in order to possibly make it less impactful or harmful to product.
Lastly, to be ethical is to take into account the impact that something you do or cause has on the world, people, and environment around you, and change what you are doing in accordance with what is considered to be "right" in society.
I would say it is important to know about a product's life cycle because it tells you how much goes in and out of the product. It shows the impact the product will have, both on you and the environment, all at once, and it can open up your mind about making improvements to the process in order to possibly make it less impactful or harmful to product.
Lastly, to be ethical is to take into account the impact that something you do or cause has on the world, people, and environment around you, and change what you are doing in accordance with what is considered to be "right" in society.