Forum home› Tools and techniques

Can you help me with my university design project?

amygsmith12345xNLvd8_hamygsmith12345xNLvd8_h Posts: 9
in Tools and techniques
Hello again! I am a design engineering student from Imperial College London. A few months ago I published a survey on here regarding creating gardening tools for older users.

We are now past the initial research phase and are into designing the product itself. It would mean a lot if you could take five minutes to give me some feedback on potential designs through the survey below!

Thank you for your time,
Amy Smith

LINK TO THE SURVEY:
https://imperial.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6y8uatwdYttWVpQ

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,520
    done.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • amygsmith12345xNLvd8_hamygsmith12345xNLvd8_h Posts: 9
    pansyface said:
    done.
    Thank you so much for your time! Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,116
    Can I advise respondents to read the first page carefully because that will help you understand better the designs that follow. I could not see a back button.

    Amy, good luck with this. I have long felt that watering cans could benefit from new design thinking and have always been unimpressed with spray from the heads, even from the much lauded Haws cans.

    I was disappointed there was no opportunity to make additional comments. Will the filling hole be large enough to take a hose fitted with a spray gun or lance? Will the spout be long enough to reach towards the back of the border or greenhouse benches? Will the wheels cope with grass, gravel and steps? Will the wheels get in the way or add too much extra weight when the can is lifted? Will it be balanced when empty and when full, when carrying and when pouring? Will it be frost resistant? Is it compact and easy to store? Finally, has the woman in the second illustration found her left arm?
    Rutland, England
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,116
    One other thing, a cap on the opening might be helpful to keep out snails which get into the can and clog the spout.
    Rutland, England
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,724
    edited June 2021
    I may have misunderstood the drawings (in which case they need improvement) but it appears impractical to me ... it looks as if you need to reposition the 'device' for each plant ... I think a bowser with a pump/spray would be more practical . I'm also concerned that the weight of it when full would mean that wheel ruts would be left in any but the firmest of lawns.  
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 8,068
    Done, but there wasn't enough information to make any kind of comment on potential usefulness. No dimensions, weight, capacity, and none of them appeared to have any handles. It seemed to be all about appearance, which to me is not very relevant if it works well.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • amygsmith12345xNLvd8_hamygsmith12345xNLvd8_h Posts: 9
    BenCotto said:
    Can I advise respondents to read the first page carefully because that will help you understand better the designs that follow. I could not see a back button.

    Amy, good luck with this. I have long felt that watering cans could benefit from new design thinking and have always been unimpressed with spray from the heads, even from the much lauded Haws cans.

    I was disappointed there was no opportunity to make additional comments. Will the filling hole be large enough to take a hose fitted with a spray gun or lance? Will the spout be long enough to reach towards the back of the border or greenhouse benches? Will the wheels cope with grass, gravel and steps? Will the wheels get in the way or add too much extra weight when the can is lifted? Will it be balanced when empty and when full, when carrying and when pouring? Will it be frost resistant? Is it compact and easy to store? Finally, has the woman in the second illustration found her left arm?
    Thank you for your time filling in the survey! We are currently in the early stages of generating the overall aesthetic of the design and tailoring it to best match our target users (that's you all!)

    Within the next few weeks, we will be moving on to physical prototyping, and we will certainly be considering your comments when doing so! I have now added a textbox at the end of the survey so people can give their thoughts and insights on the design as a whole.

    (And apologies for the armless woman, I am no artist!) 
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,116
    Only teasing, I was very impressed by your drawings.
    Rutland, England
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,412
    I enjoyed answering your questions. It looks like you have a great idea. We have had some discussion on the forum about the word 'amazing ' but I think we can let that pass😉
    In London. Keen but lazy.
Sign In or Register to comment.