ELECTRIC KETTLE DESIGN

Electric Kettle Design



Table of Contents

Introduction2

Design Methodology3

Product Planning4

Project Planning5

British Standards5

Design Reviews6

Human Resource Management7

Specifications7

Cost Management7

Production Planning8

Forecasting9

Capacity Planning9

Workforce planning9

Materials Requirement Planning10

Innovation Management10

Supply Chain11

Energy Efficient Kettles11

Advanced Energy Efficient Kettle Technologies12

Electric Energy Efficient Kettles14

Advanced Electric Energy Efficient Kettle Technologies14

Conclusion16

Endnotes18

Electric Kettle Design

Introduction

In this paper, the process of redesigning an electric kettle is reviewed, from which more general design rules are derived for the design of horizontal product lines in domestic appliances (Figure 1). In general the domestic products market is very competitive. Every year, a new line of products is developed, and put on the market. Most of these products have no new functionality, but are redesigned to follow the latest trends. The added value of horizontal product lines can be found in many areas [1].

The lower market introduction costs, a more appealing aesthetic, and making the choice easy for customers who do not want to spend al lot of time deciding which electric kettle fits which toaster; are reasons for introducing the electric kettle as part of an horizontal product line. According to the list of Pahl and Beitz [2] most domestic appliances and especially electric kettles are made according to the principle of variant design. Ullman [3] however, would classify the design process under redesign, as it is a modification of an existing product to meet new demands. The following paragraphs try to give more insight into the development process.

Figure 1: Examples of horizontal product lines.

Design Methodology

In consumer products like the electric kettle, form is the most important factor in a redesign. The functional demands are quite simple, and the technology is already well developed. Therefore the only demands from the market are those for a distinguished look. Different design models are a possibility to follow. The design model of Roth focuses mainly on the functional development while, in domestic appliances, form is much more a factor for success. Kollers model spares only one stage on developing form variants.

Ullman's design methodology concerns very much with creating subsystems and subassemblies. In the redesign of domestic products, design teams can often compose products into the functional part, and the form part, where the functional part could decompose its tasks into different sub problems. Therefore Ullman's design strategy might be a useful guide in these design processes.

In the domestic appliances market however, and especially in recurring products, the design of the product is not the most important factor. Much more time and effort is spent in production planning. This is mainly because the profits are very low, and every cent saved on production calculates directly into a higher profit (or lower selling prices). Therefore a design method that takes production into account from the start of the process would be very beneficial for the domestic appliances market. Adreasen states that Integrated Product Development integrates market, product and production [4]. This leads to the conclusion that IPD could be the best methodology to abide in the development of domestic appliances.

Product Planning

Product planning for electric kettles in specific and domestic appliances in general is very ...