A more creative way of thinking
Cupcake Stand
Apr 23rd
Cupcakes are becoming an extremely popular alternative to the traditional wedding cake. There is however a very limited selection of stands available that are designed purposely to display an arrangement of small cakes; those that are available tend to have a cheap appearance.
My client recognised this and requested that I design a quality alternative that could be rented per wedding at a reasonable cost. A crucial requirement of the design was that all of the stands components must be manufacturable with the in house machinery available to us.
Below is an early concept that we’re currently reviewing; it was intended to look elegant but without loosing all of its masculinity. The design also incorporates interchangeable shelf panels, customizable to suit each wedding, and an internal hollow perfect for decoration.
Wedge
Dec 13th
The wedge is a low cost and simple to use measurement tool. In many circumstances it provides an excellent alternative to the tape measure; allowing for accurate measurement up to 30mm.
By simply sliding the wedge under the work piece until it reaches its desired level, the operator can measure the gap to an accuracy of 0.5mm.
Window fitters, Joiners, Bricklayers, Fabricators, Kitchen fitters and DIY enthusiasts would all find the Wedge to be a handy and beneficial addition to their toolbox. Trade lecturers have also commented on the usefulness of this tool.
The wedge is a low cost and simple to use measurement tool. In many circumstances it provides an excellent alternative to the tape measure; allowing for accurate measurement up to 30mm.By simply sliding the wedge under the work piece until it reaches its desired level, the operator can measure the gap to an accuracy of 0.5mm.Window fitters, Joiners, Bricklayers, Fabricators, Kitchen fitters and DIY enthusiasts would all find the Wedge to be a handy and beneficial addition to their toolbox. Trade lecturers have also commented on the usefulness of this tool.
Back Bone
Oct 6th
Flat pack is the McDonalds of the furniture world, in that its cheap, is of a reduced quality and is mass produced to satisfy a generalised specification. But, even though its more likely to end its life in a skip than on the Antiques Road show, flat pack furniture is exactly what very many consumers are looking for, its cheap, readily available and easy to construct.
Unfortunately there are a few downfalls with the most common flat pack designs; Drawers for example have a single 15mm MDF carcass construction, the result of which is that the rear wall bows easily and the hard board base falls out. The Back Bone resolves this issue quickly with no tools required, simply peel back and affix the unit into the rear groove with the 3M adhesive pad to add that much needed rigidity. The internally housed Aluminium bar will ensure that your furniture remains useful for a great deal longer.
Accendo
Jul 19th
If you’ve been following this blog then you’ll know that I’ve been developing a new system of temporary power distribution and lighting products. At long last I am able to publish my finished design.
My design, titled ‘Accendo’, is a modular system that provides a complete power distribution and lighting solution for use on construction site type environments.
The base unit boasts immense strength and impact resistance, due largely to its semi-spherical shape, internal webbing and steel supporting hoop. This hoop also makes up the majority of the devices mass and thus provides the lowest possible centre of gravity; it also doubles as three rugged carry handles.
By utilizing nine high powered LED’s Accendo’s lighting attachments are able to provide an impressive level of illumination whilst consuming only 35w of power. This low energy consumption, coupled with the LED’s lengthy expected operating life makes this product not only cost effective for the consumer but also beneficial to the environment.
I am now in the process of contacting major tool manufacturers with hopes of licensing the products design and technology.
Temporary Site Lighting Update
May 3rd
If you’ve been following this blog then you’ll know that over the past few months I have been working on a remake of the temporary lighting products used on construction site environments.
Since my last blog on this subject I have conducted extensive research into the needs of the end user and how these needs can be met at a reasonable price. My research has taken me in the direction of high powered LED lighting, an area of much debate both in terms of light output and also the often weighty costs involved with generating a constant current supply for such a device. This has therefore been the cornerstone of my research for some time however I now believe I have an extremely cost effective method of powering the LED’s and I am currently awaiting a delivery of components to begin performing physical testing.
The image below is another of my concepts from the earlier stages of this project, it shows the use of LED’s arranged in a cylindrical array in order to provide 360 degree’s of light, it also offers the idea of having a slim foldable tripod base allowing the unit to drastically reduce its footprint for transport or storage, the device would be built to a high standard so that any topples due to the small base do not damage the light nor cause it to turn off.
During a product development forum the feedback on this concept was that the easily transportable base was a good idea but was probably not going to work on a construction site, a solid base is therefore required if this product is to succeed. With respect to the LED’s opinions were very positive, some questioned the light output of the device but all agreed that if LED’s could work then they should be implemented.
Stay posted to see the finished design.
Pool Box
Feb 27th
My client required a chest like box for storing pool equipment for his indoor pool. He specified that the product should be of a high quality and complement the styling of the pool house, however, it must be manufacturable from standard off the shelf parts and its construction should not require any specialist tooling.
The design has a substantial timber frame which is held together by means of dowels and glue and thus there are no screw heads spoiling its aesthetics. The side panels comprise of multiple lengths of tongue and groove that slot firmly into grooves within the frame and each other, the completed timberwork is then to be painted white to protect it from rot but also to improve its visual appearance.
Finishing touches include rubber feet, a thick rubber mat on the lid (so the product can also double as a seat) and vents in the bottom of the unit to prevent moisture build up.
Air Duster Attachment
Dec 5th
In order to remove dust with a vacuum cleaner the dust must first be agitated as suction alone is unable to lift it from the surface. Typically this is done using a brush attachment however these devices drag dirt across the surface in a manner that could damage some highly polished surfaces. These brush attachments also collect a large quantity of dust and hair in their bristles.
My design uses a jet of air to lift dust thus making it airborne and allowing the vacuum cleaners suction to collect the particles. This device would also be very helpful whilst cleaning the inside of computer cases where plastic bristles would generate static electricity that would damage sensitive components.
The internal mechanisms where designed to be as simple as possible, there could be no motors, no compressed air and no additional wires or pipes trailing back to the vacuum cleaner. I have therefore used the rushing air to power two counter rotating turbines, the only two moving parts in the design.
Perpetual Motion Toy
Nov 30th
Perpetual motion has always fascinated me and although it is clearly not possible I enjoy designing such machines as a pastime. Like all of these devices my designs seem original and perhaps groundbreaking at first but when analysed follow the same or similar principal of devices that have existed for hundreds of years and thus do not work.
This machine uses two sets of magnetic V gates around a central rotor that are increasingly attracted to the top horizontal magnet, the side mounted cam lifts the top magnet where the gates meet in order to prevent the device stalling.
This machine will never work and therefore is little more than an interesting desk toy that shows how the theory works but also why it cannot.
For an animation of the theoretical operation of this device click here.
Fire Alarm Testing Tool
Nov 19th
This tool was thought up by a Contracts Director at a local electrical contracting company and is intended to make the process of testing Menvier style detector heads much less laborious. Originally built crudely from old timber and nails, I took the concept and developed it into a unit that could be produced quickly by means of 3d printing at minimal cost (a key factor in this project).
The design allows site operatives to remove and replace detector covers for testing without the need for a step ladder and thus makes the process quicker and safer. To minimize costs as much as possible the mid-section is constructed from of the shelf ABS tube, additional savings were made by making the unit just short enough to lay on the back seat of an average sized car thus eliminating the need for telescopic joints.
Temporary Site Lighting
Oct 22nd
Over the next few months I will be working on the research and development of temporary site lighting systems. To avoid simply engineering out a few problems I have started from scratch by going to site and seeing how the products are used, produced questionnaires to gain an insight into the thoughts of those using these products on a daily basis and dismantled current products to highlight problems.
I am now in the process of sketching various concepts that range massively and employ a vast array of technologies. I then intend to hold a development forum whereby I will have the opportunity to note various Trade’s people’s thoughts and thus tailor the finished design to their exact needs. Below is an example of one of one of my concepts.
Ultimately the final design will be submitted to a handful of major brand names with the intention of putting the product into manufacture. Watch this space!
