Master's thesis: duration – 1 year, finished – 13/7/2020
• Honorable mention – Best in Design 2021 • Nominated work – CISDA 2021 • Poster exhibited – DESING.FEKCE 2020, Best in Design 2021, 3i–triii
BRIEF
Create a modern and unique design of MIG/MAG welding machine for professional use in locksmith shops and workshops. Focus on easy movement of the heavy unit and ergonomics.
STARTING POINT / PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
• I made an analysis of the existing products on the market and interviewed users.
• I visited some workshops and welding exhibition.
• I visited some workshops and welding exhibition.
The analysis showed that the welding machines met all the functional and technical requirements. However, in terms of design, the machine remains a traditional solution and lacks a progressive approach to form.
Goals
• simple and intuitive operation, enable easy service
• design in terms of “average person” dimensions (50th percentile)
• max. (1100 × 600 × 700) mm, max. 80 kg
• IP21, IP23, ABS material
• design in terms of “average person” dimensions (50th percentile)
• max. (1100 × 600 × 700) mm, max. 80 kg
• IP21, IP23, ABS material
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Once I’d defined the main architecture of the welding machine, I started looking for a silhouette of the product through sketches and a clay model. The selected concept was then developed in 3D.
FINAL design
This concept was selected as the final design due to its compact and balanced form, unconventional design solution and uniform morphology. It provides a potential direction for future welding machine design.
DETAILS
ERGONOMICS
The machine is operated by a man of productive age, in exceptional cases by a woman. Each part of the welding machine has been designed with the dimensions of the average person (50th percentile) in mind.
DIMENSIONS / Product architecture
The size of the designed machine is determined by its internal components and their arrangement. Additionally, it enables effortless control and handling.
The internal components are attached to the internal steel support frame. Outer covers are attached to the inner frame with screws or snap locks.
MATERIALS
ABS plastic was chosen as the main material, because of its suitable properties – it is hard, stiff, durable and heat-resistant.
model making process
Each part of the scale model was 3D printed on Prusa i3 MK2 and then assembled. Auxiliary materials: sandpapers (grit size 150-1200), two component polyester filler, spray putty, acrylic primer and acrylic paint spray.
SCALE MODEL
Stylized finished model in scale 1:4. The graphics were applied to the model as decals.
