A Human Factors test revealed that a device enclosure had a major risk that needed to be addressed – the lab coat of a user might “catch” on the front slide tray when extended, and create a tipping hazard, potentially injuring the user and the damaging the machine.
Additionally, there was an interest for the next release of the device to have the same blue thermoplastic edge styling as other products.
Working with senior engineering staff to understand size, weight and power supply requirements (SWoP) and with Systems staff for input on other possible risks to mitigate, I created serveral highly accurate enclosure designs for the team to consider, using Keyshot for final rendering to envision a new possible look.
I created 18 new candidate designs, all attempting to reduced the chance of a “lab coat catch” by modifying the front geometry which created side "guards" around the tray mechanism. The design took advantage of empty internal space, and only the camera above the tray required some internal displacement. The new thermoplastic edge gave the device a strong resemblance to other products.
Rhino 3D, Keyshot
