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

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

• Objective Background
• Gantt Chart
• Customer needs
• Function Identification and Modeling
• Next Steps

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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.

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Background

• Leaf blowers debuted on a wide scale in the
  consumer market in the early 1990s. 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.

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Project Status and Gantt Chart
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Gantt Chart(last updated 3/12/01)
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Customer Needs
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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
  
• Dan Michelle Julie Paul Myself

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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. Ive never used a leaf blower. Personally
  dont understand
• just blowing leaves. Why dont 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

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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 cant 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
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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 doesnt
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
dont 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
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Function Identification and Modeling
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Overall Function Model(High-level BASIC Function)

• Human
• Electricity
• Gravity

• Heat
• Noise
• Vibration

Clean Surface
Energy

• Human hands
• Human shoulder
• Human hip
• Leaves / Grass
• Cord
• Dirt
• Air

• Air
• Mulch
• Dirt
• Human

Material
Signal

• On / Off
• Full
• Blow speed
• Aligned

• On / Off

Leaf Blower / Mulcher
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Activity Diagram-1(Leaf Blower / Mulcher
product)
Assemble product
Compare choose product
Unpack product
Purchase product
Transport product
Read directions
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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
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Activity Diagram-3(Leaf Blower / Mulcher
product)
Guide product
Turn OFF
Observe cleanliness
Clean surface
Remove vac/mulch assembly
Replace bag assy
Unzip bag
Empty bag
Back to position product
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Activity Diagram-4(Leaf Blower / Mulcher
product)
Back to attach cord
Remove cord
Clean product
Store product
Repair product
Dispose product
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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
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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
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FAST Diagram
WHY
HOW
BLOW DEBRIS
MOVE DEBRIS
COLLECT DEBRIS
CLEAN SURFACE
VACUUMNDEBRIS
(high-level function)
MULCH DEBRIS
REDUCE DEBRIS
(basic functions)
(design concept functions)
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Next Steps

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