Product dimensions accuracy

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 23 views

Designing a More Durable and Pocket-Friendly Fan: QFD and Value Engineering Integration

In today's fast-paced world, electronic equipment has become an essential part of our daily lives, making various tasks easier and more efficient. However, damage to these devices can hinder the smooth running of our daily activities, prompting consumers to opt for repairs over replacements due to the high cost of electronic equipment. A recent survey and interview conducted with 4 Electronic Workshop SMEs in Medan Helvetia District revealed that fans are one of the most frequently damaged electronic devices. This article will explore the integration of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Value Engineering methods to design a more durable and pocket-friendly fan that meets consumer needs.

Identifying Consumer Needs through QFD

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a method that helps translate consumer needs into product technical specifications. Through the QFD phase I, several technical characteristics were identified as priorities for improvement, including:

Product resistance: A durable fan that is not easily damaged.
Material standardization: The use of uniform and easy-to-obtain materials.
Component costs: More affordable component costs.
Ease of maintenance: Fans that are easily cared for and repaired.
Product dimensions accuracy: Accurate product dimensions and adherence to standards.

These technical characteristics serve as input for the QFD phase II, where several critical parts were identified as priorities for improvement, including:

Quality of Foot Foot Materials: The buffer foot material must be stronger and more durable.
Motor cover resistance: The motor cover must be stronger and resistant to collisions.
The strength of the support foot: The buffer foot must have better strength to withstand the burden.

Applying Value Engineering for Cost Savings

To obtain the best solution, the critical parts were further analyzed using the value engineering method. Value Engineering focuses on increasing product value by reducing production costs without compromising quality. In this study, a 3-dimensional anthropometric measurement was used to determine the ideal dimensions of fans, ensuring they are ergonomic and comfortable to use.

Value engineering analysis results provided several alternative material improvements that can reduce the cost of fan production, including:

Foot support: Changing the material of the foot pipe from carbon steel to alternative materials that are stronger and more economical.
Motor Cover: Changing the Motor Cover Material from Polypropylene Plastic to Alternative Materials that are more durable and lighter.
Supporting foot: Changing the supporting foot material from synthetic rubber (SBR) to an alternative material that is more durable and has a stronger grip.

Conclusion

The integration of QFD and Value Engineering has proven effective in designing fan products that are more durable, pocket-friendly, and in line with consumer needs. Through analysis of consumer needs and evaluation of critical components, this research has succeeded in obtaining more economical alternative materials without compromising product quality.

This research can serve as a reference for fan manufacturers to improve their product design and achieve a competitive advantage in the market. Additionally, the use of alternative materials that are more environmentally friendly can also support industrial sustainability efforts.

Future Directions

The findings of this study can be applied to various industries, including the design of other electronic devices. Future research can focus on:

Extending the application of QFD and Value Engineering: Exploring the integration of these methods in other industries and product design.
Material selection: Investigating the use of alternative materials that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Product design optimization: Applying the findings of this study to optimize the design of other electronic devices.

By integrating QFD and Value Engineering, manufacturers can create products that meet consumer needs while reducing production costs and environmental impact. This research demonstrates the potential of this approach in designing more durable and pocket-friendly fans that are in line with consumer needs.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Fan manufacturers: Implement the design improvements suggested in this study to create more durable and pocket-friendly fans.
Researchers: Explore the application of QFD and Value Engineering in other industries and product design.
Consumers: Provide feedback on product design and functionality to help manufacturers create products that meet their needs.

By working together, manufacturers, researchers, and consumers can create products that are more sustainable, efficient, and meet the needs of consumers.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample size: The survey and interview conducted with 4 Electronic Workshop SMEs in Medan Helvetia District may not be representative of the entire industry.
Methodology: The use of QFD and Value Engineering may not be applicable to all industries or product design.
Scalability: The design improvements suggested in this study may not be scalable to larger production volumes.

Future research can address these limitations by:

Increasing sample size: Conducting surveys and interviews with a larger sample size to increase the representativeness of the findings.
Exploring alternative methodologies: Investigating the application of other methodologies, such as Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
Scaling up design improvements: Testing the design improvements suggested in this study on larger production volumes to ensure scalability.

By addressing these limitations, future research can build on the findings of this study and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the application of QFD and Value Engineering in product design.
Q&A: Designing a More Durable and Pocket-Friendly Fan using QFD and Value Engineering

In our previous article, we explored the integration of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Value Engineering methods to design a more durable and pocket-friendly fan that meets consumer needs. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this research.

Q: What is Quality Function Deployment (QFD)?

A: Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a method that helps translate consumer needs into product technical specifications. It is a tool used to identify and prioritize the key characteristics of a product that are most important to consumers.

Q: How does QFD work?

A: QFD involves several steps, including:

Identifying consumer needs: Gathering data on consumer needs and preferences through surveys, interviews, and other research methods.
Analyzing consumer needs: Analyzing the data to identify the key characteristics of the product that are most important to consumers.
Prioritizing characteristics: Prioritizing the key characteristics based on their importance to consumers.
Developing technical specifications: Developing technical specifications for the product based on the prioritized characteristics.

Q: What is Value Engineering?

A: Value Engineering is a method that focuses on increasing product value by reducing production costs without compromising quality. It involves analyzing the product's design and manufacturing process to identify opportunities for cost savings.

Q: How does Value Engineering work?

A: Value Engineering involves several steps, including:

Analyzing the product's design: Analyzing the product's design to identify opportunities for cost savings.
Identifying cost-saving opportunities: Identifying opportunities for cost savings through design changes, material substitutions, and other means.
Evaluating alternatives: Evaluating alternative designs and materials to determine the most cost-effective solution.
Implementing changes: Implementing the changes to the product's design and manufacturing process.

Q: How can QFD and Value Engineering be used together?

A: QFD and Value Engineering can be used together to design a product that meets consumer needs while reducing production costs. By using QFD to identify the key characteristics of the product that are most important to consumers, and then using Value Engineering to reduce production costs, manufacturers can create a product that is both durable and affordable.

Q: What are the benefits of using QFD and Value Engineering together?

A: The benefits of using QFD and Value Engineering together include:

Improved product quality: By focusing on the key characteristics of the product that are most important to consumers, manufacturers can create a product that meets their needs.
Reduced production costs: By reducing production costs through design changes and material substitutions, manufacturers can create a product that is more affordable.
Increased competitiveness: By creating a product that meets consumer needs while reducing production costs, manufacturers can increase their competitiveness in the market.

Q: What are some common applications of QFD and Value Engineering?

A: QFD and Value Engineering can be applied to a wide range of industries and products, including:

Electronics: Designing electronic products that meet consumer needs while reducing production costs.
Automotive: Designing automotive products that meet consumer needs while reducing production costs.
Aerospace: Designing aerospace products that meet consumer needs while reducing production costs.

Q: What are some common challenges associated with QFD and Value Engineering?

A: Some common challenges associated with QFD and Value Engineering include:

Complexity: QFD and Value Engineering can be complex methods that require significant expertise and resources.
Cost: Implementing QFD and Value Engineering can be costly, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Resistance to change: Some employees may resist changes to the product's design and manufacturing process, which can make it difficult to implement QFD and Value Engineering.

Q: How can QFD and Value Engineering be implemented in a manufacturing organization?

A: QFD and Value Engineering can be implemented in a manufacturing organization by:

Establishing a QFD and Value Engineering team: Assembling a team of experts who can lead the QFD and Value Engineering effort.
Developing a QFD and Value Engineering plan: Creating a plan that outlines the scope, timeline, and resources required for the QFD and Value Engineering effort.
Training employees: Providing training to employees on QFD and Value Engineering methods and tools.
Implementing QFD and Value Engineering: Implementing QFD and Value Engineering in the manufacturing organization, including developing technical specifications and evaluating alternatives.

By following these steps, manufacturers can implement QFD and Value Engineering in their organization and create products that meet consumer needs while reducing production costs.