Fysisk byggsats till fixturer för främjande av idégenerering En modell av aluminiumprofilsystem

Abstract

This bachelor’s thesis was composed in collaboration with a structural design team at a company active in the defense and security industry. The company has identified potential in the use of aluminum profiles in their structural designs, meaning in their test rigs or racks. Hence, using a profile system would reduce the amount of time and resources spent on production and development. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge regarding the aluminum profile system. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to research the need of and potentially develop a modular building kit to accommodate the lack of knowledge and educate the users on the aluminum profile system. Initially, individual interviews were held with engineers at the company (primarily from the team) to establish the structure of the current design process, along with determine the need of, attitude towards and requirements for a modular building kit. Additional information where acquired through observations, one of an “idea generating session” and another of an “assembly session” where a fixture, primary composed out of elements from the aluminum profile system, where assembled. The information gathered where later analyzed with the KJ-method and the conclusion that there is a need for a building kit at the company where then drawn. To establish what pieces out of the profile system where needed, Items were mapped out. Brainstorming sessions were held in aim to develop concepts for the building kit. The solution groups of fasteners were based on, magnets, fastening clips, velcro, rubber clips and suction cups. The concepts where later assessed with an Elimination matrix, two Pugh matrices and lastly a Kesselring matrix, to be evaluated. The last standing concept used velcro as the fastening method. The concept was sketched out in CAD. The final concept was also produced as a 3D-printed prototype consisting of models of aluminum profiles, see figure below, however, with a simplified geometry to keep costs down and contribute to faster production. The profiles have recessed rails on the long sides where male parts of Velcro are attached. On the short sides there are small, raised square “plugs” that act as guide pins when fastening. On these raises female parts of velcro is attached, see figure below. The fasteners also consist of similar raised and recessed parts with velcro straps. All parts included in the construction kit are in scale 1:2 in relation to the aluminium profile system. Finally, the concept was evaluated individually by the structural designers from the structural design team where it was clear that the prototype was successful and that they would like to use it in their daily work.