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S.L. Thomas
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This project aims to explore the balance in maintaining durability while redesigning a highly durable, potted electronic product for repair and recycling. The case study analyzes and redesigns both the product journeys and the product architecture of an agricultural antenna.
Stakeholder and field research revealed that the farmer is largely in control of the end of life of the antenna. However, they are often unaware or unmotivated to properly dispose of it. Stakeholders have an opportunity to better inform, guide, and motivate the farmers towards initiating the best-case end-of-life of their antenna.
The repairability analysis first identified the electronic components, namely the PCB and copper wire, as priority parts because of their value and functional importance. The bonding attribute of the potting material completely prevents any access to those priority parts for repair. A shredding experiment further exposed the harmful effects of the potting material in the recycling of the product, as it prevents almost any liberation of the copper components during recycling. Additionally, discussions with recyclers and existing recyclability guidelines helped assess the theoretical and practical recyclability, as well as the liberation during recycling, of the other materials in the antenna.
To explore the tensions between the repairability, recyclability, and durability requirements found during the analysis, the redesign section presents alternatives for improving the circularity of the product’s architecture. A hardware subscription model and recycling additions to an already existing software interface are presented to address the farmers’ lack of recycling knowledge. Finally, a prototype combining alternatives in the product architecture categories is shown and evaluated against the old prototype and the new durability, repairability, and recyclability requirements. ...
Stakeholder and field research revealed that the farmer is largely in control of the end of life of the antenna. However, they are often unaware or unmotivated to properly dispose of it. Stakeholders have an opportunity to better inform, guide, and motivate the farmers towards initiating the best-case end-of-life of their antenna.
The repairability analysis first identified the electronic components, namely the PCB and copper wire, as priority parts because of their value and functional importance. The bonding attribute of the potting material completely prevents any access to those priority parts for repair. A shredding experiment further exposed the harmful effects of the potting material in the recycling of the product, as it prevents almost any liberation of the copper components during recycling. Additionally, discussions with recyclers and existing recyclability guidelines helped assess the theoretical and practical recyclability, as well as the liberation during recycling, of the other materials in the antenna.
To explore the tensions between the repairability, recyclability, and durability requirements found during the analysis, the redesign section presents alternatives for improving the circularity of the product’s architecture. A hardware subscription model and recycling additions to an already existing software interface are presented to address the farmers’ lack of recycling knowledge. Finally, a prototype combining alternatives in the product architecture categories is shown and evaluated against the old prototype and the new durability, repairability, and recyclability requirements. ...
This project aims to explore the balance in maintaining durability while redesigning a highly durable, potted electronic product for repair and recycling. The case study analyzes and redesigns both the product journeys and the product architecture of an agricultural antenna.
Stakeholder and field research revealed that the farmer is largely in control of the end of life of the antenna. However, they are often unaware or unmotivated to properly dispose of it. Stakeholders have an opportunity to better inform, guide, and motivate the farmers towards initiating the best-case end-of-life of their antenna.
The repairability analysis first identified the electronic components, namely the PCB and copper wire, as priority parts because of their value and functional importance. The bonding attribute of the potting material completely prevents any access to those priority parts for repair. A shredding experiment further exposed the harmful effects of the potting material in the recycling of the product, as it prevents almost any liberation of the copper components during recycling. Additionally, discussions with recyclers and existing recyclability guidelines helped assess the theoretical and practical recyclability, as well as the liberation during recycling, of the other materials in the antenna.
To explore the tensions between the repairability, recyclability, and durability requirements found during the analysis, the redesign section presents alternatives for improving the circularity of the product’s architecture. A hardware subscription model and recycling additions to an already existing software interface are presented to address the farmers’ lack of recycling knowledge. Finally, a prototype combining alternatives in the product architecture categories is shown and evaluated against the old prototype and the new durability, repairability, and recyclability requirements.
Stakeholder and field research revealed that the farmer is largely in control of the end of life of the antenna. However, they are often unaware or unmotivated to properly dispose of it. Stakeholders have an opportunity to better inform, guide, and motivate the farmers towards initiating the best-case end-of-life of their antenna.
The repairability analysis first identified the electronic components, namely the PCB and copper wire, as priority parts because of their value and functional importance. The bonding attribute of the potting material completely prevents any access to those priority parts for repair. A shredding experiment further exposed the harmful effects of the potting material in the recycling of the product, as it prevents almost any liberation of the copper components during recycling. Additionally, discussions with recyclers and existing recyclability guidelines helped assess the theoretical and practical recyclability, as well as the liberation during recycling, of the other materials in the antenna.
To explore the tensions between the repairability, recyclability, and durability requirements found during the analysis, the redesign section presents alternatives for improving the circularity of the product’s architecture. A hardware subscription model and recycling additions to an already existing software interface are presented to address the farmers’ lack of recycling knowledge. Finally, a prototype combining alternatives in the product architecture categories is shown and evaluated against the old prototype and the new durability, repairability, and recyclability requirements.