Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Product Design Faux Pas

Have you ever wanted to clean or try to repair something? No manual, no image of the parts. That the first issue - all user and service/maintenance manuals should be online available for the consumers and service technicians.

Brave enough, you decide to go in anyway, but find yourself stumbled at one of these Torx Security screws.

Faux pas 1 : Most people have star Philips or flat screwdrivers. Do not use Torx, let alone security type.
You get in, after about 20 screws to the controller board. Then, this

A soldered fuse. Yes, a fuse is there to protect a circuit, but if it's inaccessible, by too many parts or cost to service, the device is garbage.
Faux pas 2 : Hard to reach or replace fuses.

The screws with the arrows are all remove, but you still can't take it apart. You peel an aluminum setting cover with a strong adhesive backing. Given the thickness of the plate, you're unable to put it back.
Faux pas 3  : Hidden screws that require a destructive process.

The molding and over molding of materials is a technical achievement, but decide somewhere. Who is going to deal with this in the future. PC, ABS TPE. Are the plastics miscible. Who will pay for that?
Faux pas 4 : Un-recyclable material