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Engineering Management 364 -- Value Analysis Dr. Venkat Allada April 2001

Value Analysis of a Leaf Blower / Vacuum / Mulcher. Engineering Management 364 -- Value Analysis Dr. Venkat Allada April 2001. Table of Contents. Objective & Background Gantt Chart Customer needs Function Identification and Modeling Next Steps. Objective.

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Engineering Management 364 -- Value Analysis Dr. Venkat Allada April 2001

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  1. Value Analysis of a Leaf Blower / Vacuum / Mulcher Engineering Management 364 -- Value AnalysisDr. Venkat AlladaApril 2001

  2. Table of Contents • Objective & Background • Gantt Chart • Customer needs • Function Identification and Modeling • Next Steps

  3. Objective • Project objective is to analyze the value of a leaf blower / mulcher with the goal of increasing the overall value of the product. Value may increase by either increasing functionality and /or decreasing cost.

  4. Background • Leaf blowers debuted on a wide scale in the consumer market in the early 1990’s. Over the last decade they have continued to evolve as a common tool used to clean yard waste. Many models now vacuum and mulch yard waste in addition to the traditional blowing function.

  5. Project Status and Gantt Chart

  6. Gantt Chart(last updated 3/12/01)

  7. Customer Needs

  8. Customer Needs • To better understand the needs of a customer who would purchase and use this product, personal interviews were conducted. During each interview, the user was allowed to operate the product, and the following questions were asked. • When & why do you use this type of product? • Walk us through a typical session using the product • What do you like about the existing products? • What do you dislike about the existing products? • What issues do you consider when purchasing the product? Five Customers / Product Users were interviewed: • DanMichelle Julie Paul Myself

  9. Summary of Customer Needs-1 Customer Statement Customer Need Typical Uses 1. To clean off my driveways & sidewalks Cleans outdoor surfaces 2. “Corral” leaves into garden to either till under or to bag Collects leaves 3. Blow out gutter when it is clogged up Unclogs gutters 4. Maybe to create some mulch from dry leaves and grass Mulches leaves and grass 5. I’ve never used a leaf blower. Personally don’t understand just blowing leaves. Why don’t you just pick them up? Likes 6. Like mechanism to prevent cord from coming unplugged Blower / mulcher helps prevent inadvertently unplugging cord 7. Pretty light (weight) Blower / mulcher is lightweight 8. Feels pretty balanced; but seems to be designed for use with Blower / mulcher is balanced when 2 hands; sometimes I go around with the blower in one holding with one hand hand and clippers in another 9. Changing from blowing to mulching is easy Modules are easy to interchange

  10. Summary of Customer Needs-2 Customer Statement Customer Need Dislikes 10. Prefer the variable speed on a gas one; Blower / mulcher has easily this is much more difficult adjustable speed control 11. “Hate” electric; can’t take them everywhere I go; can Blower / mulcher is safe to use; trip over the cord; especially dangerous on the roof Blower / mulcher can be used w/out an extension cord 12. Too difficult to change speeds; not variable; takes 2 hands Can change speeds with one hand Blower / mulcher has variable speed

  11. Summary of Customer Needs-3 Customer Statement Customer Need Recommended Improvements 13. Would consider a battery powered / rechargeable Product needs to be high-powered if it had high power 14. Wish it was lighter Blower / mulcher is lightweight 15. The orange thing that doesn’t move Blower speed is easy to adjust 16. Really need a better storage option like hooks on all pieces Blower / mulcher is easy to store 17. Bag should not be white; it looks filthy. Bag stays looking clean 18. Would like a more comfortable strap that could be used Product is well supported during use during blowing or mulching to better support the product 19. It should have a handle on the models so they just don’t Modules are easy to interchange; spring off and you have a nice place to hold them Module remains secure during changing 20. It should have a deal so it can sit on the ground Blower / mulcher remains without falling over on its side. upright when placed on ground 21. Bag should be separable so you can put it in Bag is washable / easy to clean the washing machine 22. Should have a smaller, wider attachment to vacuum bushes Mulcher can vacuum bushes 23. Should be more balanced for one hand operation Blower / mulcher can be used w/ 1 hand

  12. Function Identification and Modeling

  13. Overall Function Model(High-level BASIC Function) • Heat • Noise • Vibration Clean Surface • Human • Electricity • Gravity Energy • Human hands • Human shoulder • Human hip • Leaves / Grass • Cord • Dirt • Air Material • Air • Mulch • Dirt • Human Signal • On / Off • Full • Blow speed • Aligned • On / Off Leaf Blower / Mulcher

  14. TIME Activity Diagram-1(Leaf Blower / Mulcher = “product”) Assemble product Compare & choose product Purchase product Unpack product Transport product Read directions

  15. Activity Diagram-2(Leaf Blower / Mulcher = “product”) Attach blower assembly Turn on Position product Attach cord Attach vac/mulch assembly Observe speed Set speed Attach bag Secure bag strap

  16. Activity Diagram-3(Leaf Blower / Mulcher = “product”) Guide product Observe cleanliness Clean surface Turn OFF Remove vac/mulch assembly Unzip bag Empty bag Replace bag assy Back to “position product”

  17. Activity Diagram-4(Leaf Blower / Mulcher = “product”) Back to “attach cord” Remove cord Clean product Store product Repair product Dispose product

  18. Function Identification • 1. Motor Assembly • Cord w/ socket  import electricity • On / Off Switch  import signal; display signal • Handle (1)  import hand • Handle (2)  import hand • Release button  release sub-assembly • Latch  secure sub-assembly • Cord lock  secure cord • Motor assembly  convert energy; • Fan  increase velocity • 2. Blower Assembly • Nozzle main  direct air* • Nozzle end  direct air • Body side 1  • Body side 2  • Speed adjust  regulate speed

  19. Function Identification, continued • 3. Vacuum / Mulcher Assembly • Nozzle main  direct air* • Nozzle end  direct air • Body side 1  • Body side 2  • Screws (qty6)  • Bag assembly • bag  hold mulch • zipper  permit entry • attach piece  attach bag • strap  support bag

  20. FAST Diagram WHY HOW MOVE DEBRIS BLOW DEBRIS COLLECT DEBRIS CLEAN SURFACE VACUUMNDEBRIS (high-level function) REDUCE DEBRIS MULCH DEBRIS (basic functions) (design concept functions)

  21. Next Steps Next….. • Complete FAST Diagram • Complete Bill of Materials • Begin Cost Analysis Then….. • Creativity and Evaluation phases

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