Product: Fictional “X-Cross” Kids’ Bicycle
Date: April 21, 2010	Issue: 2	Creator: Will Ernesto

The performance demanded of any product should always be fully and precisely defined.

1. Performance

1.1  Must be easy to operate—it is expected that the user age group is 5 to 13 years.

1.2  The product should withstand rough handling.

1.3  Operating conditions [see Environment].

All aspects of the environmental conditions that the product is likely to come into contact with, and have a bearing on, need to be considered and investigated at the outset of the project. Environmental hazards may occur during a number of stages in the design and development.

2. Environment

2.1  Resistant to adverse weather conditions.

2.2  The product should perform in the temperature range -4°F (-20°C) to 158°F (70°C).

2.3  The product should be resistant to corrosion from salt water.

2.4  The product should withstand a shock load of 5000 lb (2268 kg).

2.5  The product should be able to withstand vandalism.

2.6  Dust and dirt should be easily cleaned from the product.

The service life of the product and how this is to be measured needs to be stated.

3. Life in Service

3.1  A minimum of 10 years is required for this product and 15 years is desirable.

You should be aware of the maintenance issues surrounding the product at all stages of its life, including the need for spare parts or special tools.

4. Maintenance

4.1  Screws, bolts, and washers used must comply with British Standards.

4.2  Parts that require lubrication must be accessible.

4.3  The replacement of spare parts must be easily done.

Establish targets for production, supplier, contractor, and retail costs as early as possible. Checking competitor or like products will help.

5. Target Product Cost

5.1  The product is aimed at the mid price range. Retail cost is £95.00 and target cost for manufacture is between £30.00 and £35.00.

You will need to conduct a comprehensive analysis of competing and like products; this will typically involve literature searches, patent, and product searches.

6. Competition

6.1  Raleigh BMX.

6.2  Hood BMX.

6.3  Apollo Urchin.

It is likely that the product being designed will need some form of packaging even if this is merely to protect the product while it is being transported from one place to another. The cost of packaging can have a significant impact on the final cost to the customer.

7. Packing

7.1  Size must be kept to a minimum.

7.2  Cost must be kept to a minimum.

7.3  Weight must be kept to a minimum.

7.4  Must be waterproof.

7.5  Must be easily unpacked by the customer.

7.6  Company logo must be clearly shown on package.

Do you envisage the products’ delivery by land, sea, or air? Consider the type of truck, pallet container, or aircraft.

8. Shipping/Transport

8.1  Packages will be stored 10 to one box.

8.2  ISO containers will be used to carry the boxes.

8.3  Transportation will be by sea then road or rail.

Consider how many products you wish to manufacture, which will affect costs and schedule.

9. Quantity

9.1  10,000 units to be produced annually initially.

9.2  Long production run expected.

Where is the product to be made and what facilities and expertise will be available?

10. Manufacturing Facility

10.1  There are no constraints on the manufacturing facility.

Are there any constraints on the size of the product? Ensure that the size and shape of the product make it easy for the end user to handle and operate.

11. Size

11.1  Length is not to be greater than 71 in (1800 mm).

11.2  Breadth not to be greater than 3 in (75 mm).

11.3  Height not to be greater than 19½ in (500 mm).

Consider weight: should you break down the manufacture into smaller modules if a problem?

12. Weight

12.1  The weight of the product should be no greater than 22 lb (10 kg).

As a product designer, the color, shape, form, texture and finish are major ingredients directly under your control that can lead to a product’s ultimate success or failure.

13. Aesthetics

13.1  The “Fictional” brand values should be highly visible.

13.2  The company logo should be clearly seen in bold lettering at least 1/3 in (10 mm) high.

13.3  A robust image must be projected to the customer.

These must be readily available, easily processed, and comprise the required properties. If special materials are required, specify to the appropriate standard. Harmful materials, such as lead-based paint, must not be used in consumer products.

14. Materials

14.1  The use of existing materials for manufacture is imperative.

14.2  The materials selected must withstand the environmental conditions.

14.3  The materials should not oxidize in any way.

14.4  All the materials should be non-toxic.

How long will the product that you are designing stay on the market? The longevity of the product will affect important decisions including funding.

15. Product Life Span

15.1  This should be as long as possible with possible passing from one sibling to another.

Most products need to adhere to national and/or international standards. Bear in mind that standards are useful and essential in many areas but they should not be allowed to hinder real innovation.

16. Standards/Specifications

16.1  BS EN 14872:2006 Accessories for bicycles.

16.2  BS EN 14764:2005, BS EN 14766:2005, BS EN 14781:20 Specification for safety requirements for bicycles.

16.3  BS EN 14766:2005 Mountain-bicycles. Safety requirements and test methods.

16.4  BS EN 14765:2005+A1:2008 Safety requirements for bicycles for young children.

All products have a user-product interface. Ensure it is easy to operate, requiring little physical effort for both left-handed and right-handed people, for example. Ergonomic elements can also cover cognitive issues as well as physical ones.

17. Ergonomics

17.1  Controls must be positioned at a height suitable to the user.

17.2  Hand-operated controls must not need a force of more than 1 Nm to operate.

17.3  No sharp edges to be exposed [see Safety].

17.4  It is preferable if controls are different colors for easy use.

Understand your customers’ needs, wants, and preferences as fully as you can.

18. Customer

18.1  It is expected that the customer will be a boy from age range 5 to 13 years.

Quality and reliability are difficult elements to assign measurable values to.

19. Quality and Reliability

19.1  This product will be designed to comply fully with BS 5750.

19.2  The company will offer a 3-year full warranty with this bicycle.

Shelf-life storage is often overlooked in design specifications. Consider if products can stay unused for some time.

20. Shelf Life Storage

20.1  The product will be stored 10 units to one box within the company’s warehouse.

20.2  The product will be packaged in their own individual box within retail units.

20.3  There are no limitations on shelf life as this is a non-perishable product.

Are special manufacturing processes required, such as plating or finishing requirements?

21. Processes

21.1  There are no limitations to the manufacturing processes [see Manufacturing].

When you schedule your project, be sure to allow enough time at the beginning for the design phase.

22. Timescale

22.1  Design Process complete—June 1, 2010

22.2  Commence Manufacturing—December 1, 2010

22.3  Delivery of first Bicycle—March 1, 2011

After your product has been made, it will need a factory test to see whether it complies on every point with its PDS. You may also need to plan for acceptance and witness tests too.

23. Testing

23.1  Batch inspection to be used for the final product.

23.2  Batch test of 1 in every 1000 will be adopted.

Consider all aspects of safety, such as statutory legislation and product labeling or instructions.

24. Safety

24.1  The product must comply with all relevant parts of BS 3456 and the Home Safety Act (UK).

Ensure that the necessary expertise will be available within the company for each stage of the product’s development.

25. Company Constraints

25.1  There are no manufacturing constraints, so there should be no company constraints.

25.2  Depending on product sales, more production staff might have to be employed.

Be mindful that local conditions, especially overseas, can constrain your design.

26. Market Constraints

26.1  The product will be marketed on a worldwide basis.

You must search all relevant information, including patents, relevant literature, and competitors’ product information. You need to check that you are not infringing on other individuals’ patents or products.

27. Patents

27.1  The following European Patent Office (EPO) patents should not be infringed:

B62K1/00 to B62K17/00

B62K19/06

B62M25/02

B62K19/36

Be sensitive to any political and social effects that your product might have in the country for which it is to be designed and manufactured. This includes local bylaws and regional trends.

28. Political/Social Implications

28.1  The name of the product should be thoroughly checked when considering exportation to non-English speaking countries.

28.2  Logos and colors used in the product should be checked against individual countries’ tastes.

28.3  Product should be manufactured to company’s social and ethical guidelines.

An important consideration is that of product liability legislation, particularly in terms of defects.

29. Legal

29.1  Product adheres to company’s product liability procedures and product liability legislation.

Many products form part of assemblies into larger products and systems or need to be installed.

30. Installation

30.1  Product is ready assembled and does not require user assembly for use.

Product documentation is an increasingly important aspect of product design.

31. Documentation

31.1  Product accompanied by appropriate comprehensive documentation for use and maintenance.

The design of products has a significant effect on the environment. Your PDS, therefore, must include information on what is done with the product after its life. This will include things like how you best design for disassembly, dispose of any associated waste, and recycle the product.

32. Disposal

32.1  Product and constituent components are able to be disassembled for disposal and recycling where at all possible.

32.2  Product components are clearly labeled for appropriate recycling/disposal.