Alligator Lopper: Gate5
Contents |
Gate Five
Management Proposal
Coming soon...
Abstract
Our group for MAE 277 had the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the corded Black and Decker Alligator Lopper. This particular device is a branch cutting and trimming device designed for homeowners and the upkeep of their property. It utilizes the technology of an electric powered chainsaw while incorporating a jaw which the user can manipulate open and close. When the user wants to cut a branch, they manipulate the handles and expose the chainsaw to the branch. By clamping the jaws shut around the branch, the user forces the chainsaw into the branch, cutting it. Through the product dissection, we learned that the Lopper was designed with a high level of safety which can be seen in its dual trigger system. Furthermore, most of the product was intended to be taken apart for maintenance or part replacement. This is illustrated in both the simplicity with which the Lopper was designed and also in the list of components the user may purchase online. Further analysis of the product gave us the impression that the components were manufactured using simple techniques that can support a high production rate. Furthermore the materials used in building the Lopper indicate that it was intended to be used in residential areas and would not withstand prolonged commercial use. Assembling the product reaffirmed our belief that the user was supposed to access and maintain most internal components. It also showed us that the product could be modified easily to improve its function and form. These modifications range from small subsystem modifications to larger full system revisions.
