Page 37 - October 2019

igem news – yppc

Pneumatically driven as well as hand too. Without a happy workforce and Feedback:
driven, if required without operative and community Looks bulky
Ensure that the coupon drilled is buy-in, on site jobs would not be as Looks like it requires a lot of work to set up
captured and that swarf created by the productive as they could be. Failure to Functionally it might struggle.
drilling is retained and not dropped meet these needs also risks operative
into the host pipe injury and logistical issues, such as Concept 2
Modular (There are four sizes of PE longer lead times, higher costs and This looked at adding a drill to the end
ball valve: 90, 125, 180 and 250mm. environmental impacts. of the PE network assembly, creating a
A modular design allows for easier pressure-sealed unit to allow a live drill.
transportation and thus reduces Material choices Feedback:
emissions). Aluminium alloys were selected, as Not functional at all for field
With the details from SGN and our opposed to generic mild steel tooling, operatives (studs will get in the way)
first meeting adjourned, I set off to due to their superior ergonomic and Lots of wheels to turn in order to operate
conceptualise the potential design functional properties. Some users may try to complete
solution. operation against guided instructions
Assembly storyboarding due to its complexity
Development process The simpler and more effective the This could result in a potentially
Following the concept phase, the next design is, the more operative buy-in we dangerous situation.
aspect to consider was whether we achieve, thus enhancing productivity,
could modify the design to go above user experience and health and safety Concept 3
and beyond the client’s expectations. benefits, etc. This looked at adding a drill to the end
CURRENT METHOD
From a technical standpoint, this of the PE network assembly, creating a
meant: can we move into intermediate Concept evaluation pressure-sealed unit to allow a live drill.
pressures (up to 7bar)? The following is an overview of the Feedback:
This would dramatically broaden the concepts and the feedback we received. Looks lighter
usage rate of the drill and help SGN in Looks easier to use
terms of its environmental goals, as Concept 1 Reminded them of other industry kit
components stock for the network’s This looked at adding a drill to the end – familiarity made them comfortable
vans would be reduced further. of the PE network assembly, creating a with operation
This would be enhanced and indeed pressure-sealed unit to allow a live drill. Simple one-way, slide-on design.
upgraded through a partnership
I developed with a leading seal FIGURE 4 CONCEPT 1 FIGURE 5 CONCEPT 2
manufacturer. Using Zircon-based
energised seals allowed for enhanced
dynamic movements under a
regulated pressure environment.
This would provide safe passage
for operatives working under
intermediate pressure conditions.
The next aspect of the development
process was to understand how the
operative would interact with the tool
from an ergonomic perspective. This
is more important than people realise.
The more understanding the operative
has of the tool and its capabilities, the FIGURE 6 CONCEPT 3
less likely damage, abuse and overall
disruption for both the operative and
the GDN alike becomes.
Enhancement of the proposed tool
interaction was generated through:
Working with field engineers and GDN
operatives
Material choices
Assembly storyboarding.

Field engineers/GDN operatives
These are essentially the consumers
of the product, so, as with any
commercial product we manufacture,
the device needed to meet their
requirements, plus those of any
interactive system (ergonomic and
aesthetic) in order to be successful.
I felt this was crucial as customer
satisfaction drives the other variables,

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