Blog entry 2

In Week 4, me and my group have tried using the SCAMPER ideation tool to generate different product designs based on the idea that we have decided to work on last week. Firstly we stated the problem we would like to solve or the idea we would like to develop. Secondly, we asked questions using the SCAMPER checklist to guide us. Lastly, brainstorm as many questions and answers as we can. Some examples includes:

Substitute- Instead of the inner cylinder that will contain the butter, we can replace the cylinder to an inverted cone shape (Pointed part face downwards) as it will increase the separation better

Combine- Adding a motor so that it will be able to run the agitator it will be able to speed up the process faster of separation and is able to let the herbs infused with the butter well.

Adapt- I am able to adapt sight glass that is used for tanks or kettle. Having a sight glass being placed at the side the user is able to know how much butter the user will get after the whole process is done. Is also able to prevent overflow if the user puts too much butter or herbs and etc.

Modify- Having a solenoid valve connected to a density or colour sensor which is connected to a switch it will be able to drain out the product we want (Pure butter) from the water and milk solids content without pouring or tilting it

Modify- Adding a filter or a strainer at the base to separate the pure butter from the water and milks solid content. So that the end result will just be pure butter without any residue

Put To Another Use- The user is able to use syrup and infuse it with the desired product they want instead of using butter. The working process of infusing syrup is almost similar with the one of infusing butter

In summary, the ideas includes ; substituting the inner cylinder with a cone shaped container, adding a motor, adapting to sight glass, adding a valve, adding a filter and use it for syrup. To choose which idea is the most feasible, we conducted a feasibility study using the following table.

By now, the ideas/designs are narrowed down to 3 that are deemed as feasible.

In order to select the best among these, a COWS decision matrix can be used.

5 evaluation criterions were selected and its weightage is as stated:

• Cost (10%)

• Availability (10%)

• Ease of fabrication (20%)

• Storage capacity (20%)

• Ease of use (40%)

The options used was the 3 that were deemed as feasible ;

• butter seperator

• butter seperator with solenoid valve

• Butter Separator with Solenoid Valve, change in shape

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In my opinion, the SCAMPER method is useful in helping me generate ideas for the product by encouraging me to ask seven different types of questions, which will help me understand how I can innovate and improve the existing product, problems and ideas. The advantage of the decision-making matrix is that it encourages self-reflection amongst the members of a design team to analyze each candidate with a minimized bias however it also does have its limitations. Its disadvantages includes;

• The list of criteria options is arbitrary. There is no way to know a priori if the list is complete; it is likely that important criteria are missing.

• Conversely, it is possible that less important criteria are included, causing decision makers to be distracted and biased in their choice of options.

• Scoring methods, even with weighting, tend to equalize all the requirements. But a few requirements are "must haves". If enough minor criteria are listed, it is possible for them to add up and select an option that misses a "must have" requirement.

• The values assigned to each option are guesses, not based on any quantitative measurements. In fact the entire decision matrix can create the impression of being scientific, even though it requires no quantitative measurements of anything at all.