Group 10 - Kodak Flash Camera

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Executive Summary

Our group was assigned to analyze the Kodak zoom disposable camera. Aspects of the camera that we were asked to examine include overall design concept, specific components and their respective functions and features, materials and manufacturing processes used, and develop possible design improvements. Before disassembly began, our group identified the purpose of the camera and made assumptions of how it works. We then tested the camera to see if it worked, predicted how many components make up the complete device, and how many different materials were used. During the disassembly every removed piece and tool used was recorded. The internal pieces of the camera were already numbered- we assumed they were used for assembling the camera at the manufacturing factory. Disassembly of the camera took approximately one hour, while reassembly took only about half an hour. The camera was primarily composed of plastic- with a few small metal and electronic components. Plastic is an excellent material to be used for a one-time use camera because it is inexpensive and can be easily recycled and reused.

Introduction

The purpose of the Kodak disposable camera is to capture photographs in a cheap, convenient, and affordable way. The camera has a flash feature so photographs can be taken in low light situations, and zoom for pictures taken at a distance.

Research Group Members

Before Disassembly

Chemical energy from battery- into electrical

Mechanical energy for the user- (pushing buttons, turning knobs)

Chemical reaction- film with light exposure

Flash capacitor- charge it so it will work

Product worked properly.

Initial assumption- product is made up of at least 25 parts.

Multiple types of plastic- clear, black, gray

Disassembly Procedure

First we removed the stickers from back cover with our fingernails.

Then we pried off back cover with small screwdriver and a pocket knife.

We removed the battery.

We removed the film and winding spool and rolled up the film.

We then pried off front cover with the small screwdriver.

We then began working on the front of the camera. We removed the flat metal spring that holds part 5, the double lens toggle. We removed part 5.

We then popped off the little coil spring that hooks part 9, the plate that the double lens toggle mounts on, to part 1, which is a black connecting piece.

Once the spring was off parts 1 and 12 fell off. Part 12 is a connecting rod.

We then took off the tiny copper spring that connects the shutter to a fixed point on the circuit board.

We then began working on the top of the camera. We took off part 9, which is clear plastic; and then took off part 16, which is a gray plastic part.

Then we took the "number of pictures remaining" wheel off, the winding wheel, the winding cam, and part 32, which connects the cam to the winding wheel.

Next we took the copper brace that holds part 4, the viewing lens in place. We removed part 4.

We then took off a blue plastic piece that was also labeled 9, that was underneath the viewing lens.

We then went back to the front of the camera and pried off part 9, the toggle zoom plate, with the small screwdriver and a pocket knife.

Then part 2, the big gray zoom lever arm, and the shutter fell off.

We then removed part -1, the shutter lever which is blue plastic, and the spring that holds it.

Part 101, the little winding gear fell out then. When re-assembling, this piece will be held on by the winding cam. It simply didn't fall off until now.

We then pried off the circuit board with the little screwdriver and a pocket knife.

We popped off the little plastic insert in the back of the camera and a little metal lever in the front and then the only thing remaining was the plastic frame.

We met in Furnas 621 at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 12, 2007.

The only tools used were a small screw driver and a pocket knife, and we only used them when we had to pry something off.

It took only one hour to take the camera apart and then study it and put some of the parts together again to see how they fit together, as most of the time things were just falling off.