Process

Overall, this was a simple product to design. I had to get different models for the electronics, and I had to model up the actual LED sign. The models were fairly easy to create. I used screws from McMaster Carr. The design is very simple, yet effective.

In this design, I used my DFA skills. The total assembly time of the piece is only 40 seconds on average, and it allows for rapid assembly and disassembly. This also could allow for the housing to be customized, and modified as per the needs of the user. As well, I added a little hook space for hanging.

This project had very specific phases which I will outline below:

• Project discovery. My friend told me about this idea, and I immediately wanted to develop it in to a product.

• Industrial Design. My friend and I determined the aesthetic requirements, and what we generally wanted the product to look like (very simple design was what we went with).

• Part Sourcing. I did lots of research with many different vendors in China to source the LED screens, and the chip set that was required. With this, I also found appropriate machine shops that would be able to CNC machine the body of the housing.

• Product Design. After doing basic sourcing research, I began to to the design in Solidworks. I had to dig very very deep for some of the 3rd part CAD files. I’m gatekeeping them by the way… unless someone asks me for them!

• Procurement. Afterwards, we got the parts and assembled.