Group 22 - Swingline Electric Stapler

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==Executive Summary==
 
==Executive Summary==
  
−
Modern technologies have improved rapidly during the last half of the 20th century. Nowadays, engineers have to consider many factors before creating products. The success level of products have to be based on the advanced use of technologies in the products, its design, how convenience to use it. Such great products as iPods with a compact and beautiful design , friendly user interface have tremendous popularity in the consume’ world.
+
Modern technologies have improved rapidly during the last half of the 20th century. Nowadays, engineers have to consider many factors while designing a product. The success of many products are based on the use of advanced technologies in their design and operation. Great products, such as the iPod, with a compact and beautiful design and friendly user interface have enjoyed tremendous popularity in the consumer world.
  
−
With those ideas in mind, our projects’ mission is dissemble a Swingline portable electrical stapler, analyze features and based on that to improve the product. Our first impression of the product is that it’s very easy to use. With a compact, sleek design , it’s very eye-catching. It is electrically power with a dual power source of AC adapter and battery-generated gives it great mobility. A stapler remover is also included within the stapler, give users great convenience. As we dissembled the stapler , we found that it has a very simple design. Its principle technology is just basic mechanical technology in a smaller version. When the a stack of document is placed under the staple area, the document touch a little metal sensor which then trigger a switch within the stapler, instantly close the circuit in the circuit board which send the signal to the motor. The motor finally spin, move small gears that are connected to it, finally staple the document. All of these lengthy process happen within microseconds. This feature of the stapler can be disabled by using a manual switch on the left side of the stapler. The user then can trigger the motor to run through a small button on top of stapler.
+
Our group’s mission was to disassemble a Swingline portable electrical stapler, analyze its design, and attempt to improve the product. Our first impression was that it’s very easy to use. Just press the paper in against the tabs and down comes the staple. With a compact, sleek design, it’s also very eye-catching. It is electrically powered, drawing electricity from one of two sources; an AC adapter that plugs into a standard wall outlet, or six AA batteries. This dual-power source feature gives the product great mobility. A stapler remover, which cleverly fits into the casing, gives users an added bonus.  
  
−
It took  us no time to dissemble the product and also put them back together. However , it has many delicate parts that can be easily broken. Many of its parts are not so popular so once the stapler is broken, it’s very hard to fixed. As we dissemble it , the black wire that connect the motor and the mother board actually fell off, which basically disable the entire product. We haven’t been able to fix it since then.
+
As we disassembled the stapler, we found that it has a very simple design. When a stack of papers is placed under the staple area, the document presses a metal tab up against a metal plate, instantly closing the circuit. When the circuit is closed, a circuit board sends a signal to the motor. The motor spins, turning a set of four small gears that are connected to it. The last gear has a tab on it, and when the gear spins, the tab presses the stapler arm down against the paper, finally stapling the document. All of this seemingly lengthy process happens within microseconds. The automatic function of the stapler can be disabled by using a manual switch on the left side of the stapler. The user then can trigger the motor to run through a small button on top of stapler.
−
After analyzing the products, we come to some conclusions and also improvement  suggestions:
+
 
 +
It was not difficult to disassemble or reassemble the product. It does, however, have many delicate parts that can be easily broken. Many of the parts would be very difficult to replace if broken. As we disassembled it, for instance, a black wire that connected the motor and the circuit board was accidentally pulled off, disabling the entire product. After analyzing the product, we have come up with the following suggestions:
 +
 
 
*Better housing of the wires
 
*Better housing of the wires
−
*Better design for the stapler slide to avoid jamming  
+
 
−
*The lever of the stapler should be raise of even slide to side way so it can staple bigger documents, which means the addition of a stronger motor.
+
*Better design for the staple tray to avoid jamming  
 +
 
 +
*More clearance in the staple area, allowing the user to staple larger documents
  
 
==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
  
−
Our product is a Swingline portable electric stapler ( Model  #42130). It has many great features such as auto or manual staple documents, dual power source of 12V DC power( generated by a  110V AC adapter) and also it can run on 6 AA batteries
+
Our product is a Swingline portable electric stapler ( Model  #42130). It runs on one of two power sources; by plugging it into a wall outlet or on six AA batteries.  There are two ways the stapler will work; if the stapler is in automatic mode the paper presses a trigger in the back of the staple area which makes the stapler staple the document, if it is in manual mode the user has to press a small button on the top of the stapler.  The stapler has an adjustable depth, which changes how far down from the top of the paper the staple in inserted, and comes with a built in staple remover. 
  
−
As for this projects, our group consist of four members:  
+
Our group consisted of four members:  
  
−
David Irving: group leader, in charge of direct the group, he also work on the CAD drawing and the oral presentation
+
David Irving: Group leader, in charge of group, worked on the CAD drawing, and oral presenter
  
−
Mike Wulff: in charge of the written report and also the oral presentation
+
Mike Wulff: In charge of the written report and oral presenter
  
−
Tuan Nguyen: in charge of the written report and also the written part of the oral presentation
+
Tuan Nguyen: In charge of the written report and helped with written part of oral presentation
  
−
Nick Martin: in charge of dissemble and assemble the product
+
Nick Martin: In charge of disassembly and reassembly of the product
  
−
*All members dissemble and assemble the product.  
+
*All members helped on disassembly and reassembly of the product.
  
 
==Before Disassembly==
 
==Before Disassembly==
Line 53: Line 57:
 
NOTES:
 
NOTES:
  
−
All steps easy unless otherwise noted.
+
All steps easy and required little force unless otherwise noted.
  
 
Screwdriver used is regular Phillips screwdriver unless noted.  Used to remove all screws.
 
Screwdriver used is regular Phillips screwdriver unless noted.  Used to remove all screws.
Line 70: Line 74:
 
4.Stapler was turned over, and the black padding and white “Swingline” sticker were peeled off
 
4.Stapler was turned over, and the black padding and white “Swingline” sticker were peeled off
  
−
5.Two screws on left hand side of casing was removed with screwdriver
+
5.Two screws on left hand side of casing removed
  
−
6.Six screws on bottom of casing were removed wish screwdriver
+
6.Six screws on bottom of casing removed
  
 
7.Blue staple depth tabs were removed by pulling off
 
7.Blue staple depth tabs were removed by pulling off
Line 80: Line 84:
 
9.Battery contacts removed by sliding out of their slots
 
9.Battery contacts removed by sliding out of their slots
  
−
10.Screws holding circuit on left side of casing removed with screwdriver
+
10.Screws holding circuit on left side of casing removed  
  
 
11.Blue manual-auto switch pulled out  
 
11.Blue manual-auto switch pulled out  
Line 88: Line 92:
 
13.Casings completely removed and set aside
 
13.Casings completely removed and set aside
  
−
14.LED bulb removed
+
14.LED bulb casing removed
  
−
15.Two screws holding metal gear frame to bottom casing on left side removed with screwdriver
+
15.Two screws holding metal gear frame to bottom casing on left side removed
  
−
16.Two screws holding metal gear frame to bottom casing on bottom removed with screwdriver
+
16.Two screws holding metal gear frame to bottom casing on bottom removed
  
 
17.Bottom casing removed and set aside
 
17.Bottom casing removed and set aside
Line 420: Line 424:
  
 
===CAD Drawings===
 
===CAD Drawings===
 +
 +
The CAD files can be downloaded <!--GICL Bot edit:-->[[Group_22_CAD.zip Contents|here]].
  
 
{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
 
|-
 
|-
 
|<b>Complete Gearbox</b>
 
|<b>Complete Gearbox</b>
−
|[[Image:assen1.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
+
|[[Image:newassen1.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 431: Line 437:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|<b>Motor</b>
 
|<b>Motor</b>
−
|[[Image:motorg22.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
+
|[[Image:newmotorg22.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 438: Line 444:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|<b>Gear 1</b>
 
|<b>Gear 1</b>
−
|[[Image:part4.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
+
|[[Image:newpart4.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 445: Line 451:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|<b>Gear 2</b>
 
|<b>Gear 2</b>
−
|[[Image:part3.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
+
|[[Image:newpart3.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 452: Line 458:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|<b>Gear 3</b>
 
|<b>Gear 3</b>
−
|[[Image:tutor1.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
+
|[[Image:newtutor1.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 459: Line 465:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|<b>Gear 4</b>
 
|<b>Gear 4</b>
−
|[[Image:part2.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
+
|[[Image:newpart2.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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==Assembly==
 
==Assembly==
  
−
The assembly procedure is very much as the reversed process of disassembly procedure, and is done mostly by hand, screwdrivers only in use when screws are used to attach components:
+
The assembly procedure is very much the reverse process of the disassembly procedure, and is done mostly by hand, screwdrivers only in use when screws are used to attach components:
  
−
1.Put gears back into gear casing
+
1.Gears put back into gear casing
  
−
2.Shaft at back is put back with the metal casing by using the washer
+
2.Metal and plastic casings put back together and lock washer put back on shaft
  
−
3.Circuit board is attached back into the metal casing using 2 screws
+
3.Circuit board attached back into the plastic casing using 2 screws
  
 
Note: the single black wire that connect between the main circuit board and the motor is pulled out, we can’t fixed it due to lack of proper tools
 
Note: the single black wire that connect between the main circuit board and the motor is pulled out, we can’t fixed it due to lack of proper tools
  
−
4.The spring is now being attached back on
+
4.Spring reattached
  
−
5.Black-red wires running from lower front of stapler attached
+
5.Black-red wires running from lower front of stapler attached back to the main circuit board
  
 
6.Black-red and red-white-black wires running from bottom casing are attached back to the main circuit board
 
6.Black-red and red-white-black wires running from bottom casing are attached back to the main circuit board
  
−
7.Bottom casing is now being attached back to the whole metal casing using 4 screws, 2 on the left side, 2 on the right side
+
7.Bottom casing attached back to the whole metal casing using 4 screws, 2 on the left side, 2 on the right side
  
 
8.LED bulb attached back to the plastic casing
 
8.LED bulb attached back to the plastic casing
  
−
9.Blue manual-auto switch is now attached between the metal casing and the bottom plastic casing.
+
9.Blue manual-auto switch attached between the metal casing and the bottom plastic casing.
  
 
10.Battery contacts attached back to the main black casing
 
10.Battery contacts attached back to the main black casing
  
−
11.The 2 big black casing now being attached back to each other
+
11.Two plastic casing pieces put back together
  
−
12.The two big black casing now being attached back to the bottom plastic casing using 6 screws
+
12.Plastic casing pieces attached back to the bottom plastic casing using 6 screws
  
−
13.Blue staple depth tabs are attached  
+
13.Blue staple depth tabs attached  
  
−
14.The “Swingline” sticker now attached back to the bottom
+
14.The “Swingline” sticker attached back to the bottom
  
−
15.The staple remover now attached back to its original slot
+
15.The staple remover attached back to its original slot
  
 
==After Assembly==
 
==After Assembly==
  
−
1. As stated in the executive summary, the principles behind the product’s operation are pretty simple.  There are two mode of the operation: Manual and Auto (they can be alternated by using the auto-manual switch that locates on the left side of the stapler).
+
<b>How Product Works</b>
  
−
*In auto mode, when we insert the document into the staple slot, the document will touch a metal sensor which connected to a switch. This switch then will automatically move that subsequently close the circuit within the mother circuit board. The mother board now send signal to the motor, which triggers it to start turning its shaft. The motor’s shaft is connected to a set of gears, causing to spin, which move to staple to push down, staple the document.
+
*In Automatic mode
  
−
*In Manual mode, we switch the auto-manual switch, which will disable the metal sensor. Now when we put the document into the staple slot, we have to push a trigger on top of the stapler. The trigger work exactly like the sensor’s switch in the auto mode. Everything else happens exactly the same as in the auto mode.
+
As stated in Executive Summary:
  
−
The product did not run the same as before due to a technical difficulty. The housing for the wire within the stapler was pretty fragile. During the disassembly process, we accidentally pull the black wire that connected the mother circuit board and the motor, therefore, the operation is erupted.  We can’t fix this problem due to technically difficulty caused by lack of proper tools.  
+
When a stack of papers is placed under the staple area, the document presses a metal trigger up against a metal plate, instantly closing the circuit. When the circuit is closed, a circuit board sends a signal to the motor. The motor spins, turning a set of four small gears that are connected to it. The last gear has a tab on it, and when the gear spins, the tab presses the stapler arm down against the paper, finally stapling the document.
  
−
2. The most important part to research would be in the area of how many papers the stapler could staple.  This number would have to be exact because it would most likely be used while advertising the product. The first step would be to determine how much power is needed to punch through a piece of paper; from there you can design a motor that matches the amount of power needed to staple the desired amount of papers. When this is done you can design the size of the staple to match the power of the motor. The motor may be able to punch through 40 papers but if the staple can not reach that far you can not say your staple will work on 40 papers.
+
*In Manual mode
  
−
3. The disassembly and assembly process is pretty much the reverse of one another. Some of the steps within the processes can be switch, but the general big steps are just the reverse of each other.  Because it’s basic principles that you take some thing off, you just have to put the back the same way (e.g. you unscrew a screw on one slot by turning the screw counterclockwise, then when you put it back, you will turn the screw clockwise). We use the same set of tools to assemble and disassemble the product. We were not able to assemble of the product due to lack of proper tools ( to fix the black wire that connects the mother circuit board and the motor)
+
When paper is inserted in the staple area, the user presses a small button on the top of the stapler. This button has a plastic tab on the bottom of it (inside the stapler when fully assembled). The tab presses a metal trigger against a metal plate, closing the circuit.  This mechanism is same as in the automatic process, but it is in a different place in the stapler using different physical parts. The rest of the process is same as above.
  
−
4. It is stated in the executive summary that we want to make these changes:
+
<b>Product Operation After Reassembly</b>
 +
 
 +
The product did not run the same as before disassembly due to a technical difficulty. The housing for the wire within the stapler was pretty fragile. During the disassembly process, we accidentally pull a black wire that connected the main circuit board and the motor, making operation imposible.  We can’t fix this problem due to technically difficulty caused by lack of proper tools.
 +
 
 +
<b>Product Testing Possibilities</b>
 +
 
 +
The most important part to research would be in the area of how many papers the stapler could staple.  This number would have to be quite accurate because it would most likely be used while advertising the product. The following is a possible mathmatical model:
 +
 
 +
The first step would be to determine how much power is needed to punch through a piece of paper. From there a motor and gear assembly with the proper ratios to match the amount of power needed can be designed. When this is done the size of the staple can be chosen to match the power of the motor. The motor may be able to punch through 40 papers but if the staple can not reach that far it can't be said that the stapler will work on 40 papers.
 +
 
 +
<b>Comparison of Disassembly and Assembly Processes</b>
 +
 
 +
The disassembly and assembly processes are pretty much the reverse of one another. Some of the steps within the processes can be switched, but the general big steps are just the reverse of each other. Because it’s basic principles that you take some thing off, you just have to put the back the same way (e.g. you unscrew a screw on one slot by turning the screw counterclockwise, then when you put it back, you will turn the screw clockwise). We use the same set of tools to assemble and disassemble the product. We were not able to assemble of the product due to lack of proper tools (to fix the black wire that connects the main circuit board and the motor).
 +
 
 +
<b>Additional Suggested Changes</b>
 +
 
 +
NOTE: see also After Disassembly
  
 
*Better housing of the wire.  The wire connecting to the motor should be held in place by a clamp.  Other exposed wires should be held in place by tape so that they are not loose and easily pulled.
 
*Better housing of the wire.  The wire connecting to the motor should be held in place by a clamp.  Other exposed wires should be held in place by tape so that they are not loose and easily pulled.
Line 551: Line 573:
 
*The clearance of the stapler should be raised so it can staple bigger documents, which means the addition of a stronger motor.  
 
*The clearance of the stapler should be raised so it can staple bigger documents, which means the addition of a stronger motor.  
  
−
*The design uses 5 gears. If this number was reduced to three gears more space would be available for a larger motor. This would also reduce the amount of energy lost due to friction between the gears, which makes better use of the motors power.
+
*The current design uses 5 gears. If this number was reduced to three gears more space would be available for a larger motor. This would also reduce the amount of energy lost due to friction between the gears, which makes better use of the motors power.
−
 
+
−
*As for the design, we want to see more stable design. The material that is used to cover the outside is very fragile. Since it is a portable device, it is inevitable that user may drop the product. The plastic cover was indeed very brittle, so it would break very easily.
+
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:08, 17 March 2009

Contents

Executive Summary

Modern technologies have improved rapidly during the last half of the 20th century. Nowadays, engineers have to consider many factors while designing a product. The success of many products are based on the use of advanced technologies in their design and operation. Great products, such as the iPod, with a compact and beautiful design and friendly user interface have enjoyed tremendous popularity in the consumer world.

Our group’s mission was to disassemble a Swingline portable electrical stapler, analyze its design, and attempt to improve the product. Our first impression was that it’s very easy to use. Just press the paper in against the tabs and down comes the staple. With a compact, sleek design, it’s also very eye-catching. It is electrically powered, drawing electricity from one of two sources; an AC adapter that plugs into a standard wall outlet, or six AA batteries. This dual-power source feature gives the product great mobility. A stapler remover, which cleverly fits into the casing, gives users an added bonus.

As we disassembled the stapler, we found that it has a very simple design. When a stack of papers is placed under the staple area, the document presses a metal tab up against a metal plate, instantly closing the circuit. When the circuit is closed, a circuit board sends a signal to the motor. The motor spins, turning a set of four small gears that are connected to it. The last gear has a tab on it, and when the gear spins, the tab presses the stapler arm down against the paper, finally stapling the document. All of this seemingly lengthy process happens within microseconds. The automatic function of the stapler can be disabled by using a manual switch on the left side of the stapler. The user then can trigger the motor to run through a small button on top of stapler.

It was not difficult to disassemble or reassemble the product. It does, however, have many delicate parts that can be easily broken. Many of the parts would be very difficult to replace if broken. As we disassembled it, for instance, a black wire that connected the motor and the circuit board was accidentally pulled off, disabling the entire product. After analyzing the product, we have come up with the following suggestions:

  • Better housing of the wires
  • Better design for the staple tray to avoid jamming
  • More clearance in the staple area, allowing the user to staple larger documents

Introduction

Our product is a Swingline portable electric stapler ( Model #42130). It runs on one of two power sources; by plugging it into a wall outlet or on six AA batteries. There are two ways the stapler will work; if the stapler is in automatic mode the paper presses a trigger in the back of the staple area which makes the stapler staple the document, if it is in manual mode the user has to press a small button on the top of the stapler. The stapler has an adjustable depth, which changes how far down from the top of the paper the staple in inserted, and comes with a built in staple remover.

Our group consisted of four members:

David Irving: Group leader, in charge of group, worked on the CAD drawing, and oral presenter

Mike Wulff: In charge of the written report and oral presenter

Tuan Nguyen: In charge of the written report and helped with written part of oral presentation

Nick Martin: In charge of disassembly and reassembly of the product

  • All members helped on disassembly and reassembly of the product.

Before Disassembly

Purpose of Product

The purpose of the Swingline Electric Stapler is to provide a way for a user to bind papers together with a staple without requiring any force to be applied by the user.

How it works

When paper is put into the stapler, it presses on a trigger. When the trigger is activated, the stapler arm is pressed down and a staple is driven through the papers. A metal plate under the papers bends the staple to prevent it from unintentionally coming off.

Types of Energy Used

The stapler converts electrical energy (in the form of DC current from a battery or converted from AC current from a wall outlet) to mechanical energy that is used to force the staple through the paper.

Product Operation

Before disassembly, staples were put into the staple tray, and the product was tested. The product ran as expected, stapling a small stack of papers together without problems. As it operated, a blue LED light flashed at the base of the stapler. The plastic casing didn't move at all during operation, just the metal stapler arm. A low noise could be heard, probably coming from motors and gears operating.

Components

Before disassembly, we expected to find about sixty components in total in the stapler. We felt this was a reasonable number because we expected there would be many small parts needed inside the stapler. We expected to find five different materials used to make the various components, with most of the parts being plastic or a type of metal.

Disassembly Procedure

NOTES:

All steps easy and required little force unless otherwise noted.

Screwdriver used is regular Phillips screwdriver unless noted. Used to remove all screws.

If no tool mentioned, operation done with hands.


Dissassembly Steps

1.Staple remover was removed by pressing on indentation with the symbol and pulling towards the back of the stapler

2.Black casing was removed by pinching at the front and sliding towards the back of the stapler (to completely remove, move to the back as far as it easily goes, then pinch the front of the piece and pull firmly until it comes off)

3.Sticker showing battery positioning was cut with a slot screwdriver

4.Stapler was turned over, and the black padding and white “Swingline” sticker were peeled off

5.Two screws on left hand side of casing removed

6.Six screws on bottom of casing removed

7.Blue staple depth tabs were removed by pulling off

8.Casing was removed by carefully pulling each half (left and right) in opposite directions. Pulled until completely separated, but some slack still in wires

9.Battery contacts removed by sliding out of their slots

10.Screws holding circuit on left side of casing removed

11.Blue manual-auto switch pulled out

12.Manual trigger removed by pulling off support pegs (Needed slot screwdriver to pry trigger off of supports)

13.Casings completely removed and set aside

14.LED bulb casing removed

15.Two screws holding metal gear frame to bottom casing on left side removed

16.Two screws holding metal gear frame to bottom casing on bottom removed

17.Bottom casing removed and set aside

18.Black-and-red and red-and-white-and-black wires running from bottom casing disconnected from circuit board

19.Black-and-red wires running from lower front of stapler removed

20.Main circuit board screw removed

NOTE: single black wire pulled out of socket during next step, making complete reassembly impossible

21.Circuit board removed and wrapped around toward back of stapler

22.Screws holding metal gear casing and plastic gear casing removed

23.Slot screwdriver used to bend lock washer until it could be removed from the last gear shaft

24.Plastic and metal casings separated

25.Shaft at back and spring coil removed

26.Gear casing separated from staple slide

27.Screws holding plastic and metal bottom casings removed, and pieces separated

Part Table

Part # Part Name Quantity Purpose Material and Reason for Choice of Material Manufacturing
1 Spring 1 Holds potential energy Steel, Needs to be sturdy, but compressible Extruded, Shaped
2 Shaft 12 Supports gears, aligns parts Steel, Holds shape well under stress Extruded
3 Washer 2 Provides spacing between fasteners and casings Steel, Holds shape well Cut
4 Lock washer 4 Holds shafts in place Steel, Less likely to bend when pulled on Cut
5 Casing 4 Shields insides from environment ABS Plastic, Sturdy, weather resistant Injection Molded
6 Foam Pad 2 Cuts down on noise, holds parts in place Foam, Suppresses sound and movement Cut
7 Battery Contacts 2 Transfers electrical energy from batteries ABS Plastic, Steel, Needs to conduct electricity Injection Molded, Cut
8 LED Light 1 Sends visual signals to user ABS Plastic, Needs to be clear Injection Molded
9 Manual Start Button 1 Can be pressed to eject staple Plastic, Outside parts need to be weather resistant Injection Molded
10 Staple Remover 1 Can be used to remove unwanted staples Plastic, Steel, Holds shape well under stress Injection Molded, Machined
11 Staple Tray 1 Stores staples until they are used Steel, Staples need to slide easily Machined
12 Staple Pusher 1 Ejects staple when pressure applied Steel, Holds shape well under pressure Machined
13 Steel Gear Casing 1 Holds gears in place Steel, Can't deform during operation Machined
14 Rivet 1 Holds Staple Pusher to frame Steel, Holds shape under pressure Cut
15 Gears 6 Transfers kinetic energy from motor to Staple Pusher, changes power of system Plastic, lightweight Injection Molding
16 Motor Frame 1 Encases motor Steel, Keeps other parts out of motor Machined
17 Plastic Gear Casing 1 Helps hold gears in place Plastic, Lightweight but sturdy Metal Casting
18 Rubber Spacer 1 Provides spacing between fasteners and casings Rubber, Has some elasticity Cut
19 Drive Spacer 1 Helps hold gears in place Plastic, Lightweight Injection Molding
20 Electric Motor 1 Turns electrical energy to kinetic energy Steel, Needs to conduct electricity Machined
21 Staple Tray Button 1 Ejects staple tray ABS Plastic, Outside parts need to be weather resistant Manufactured
22 Frame for Button 1 Holds button in place Steel, Needs to be held in place during operation Metal Casting
23 Circuit Board 1 Organizes and interprets electrical signals Silicon, Plastic, Conducts electricity well, won't interfere with circuits Manufactured
24 Ribbon 1 Used to remove batteries Nylon, Flexible and won't tear when pulled on Manufactured
25 Metal Coil 1 Stores potential energy Steel, Good elasticity and hold shape Machined
26 Plastic Display 1 Houses LED light ABS Plastic, Needs to be clear Injection Molding
27 Small Circuit Board 1 Organizes and interprets electrical signals Plastic, Silicon, Conducts electricity well, won't interfere with circuits Manufactured
28 Plastic Slide 1 Adjusts how far down from top of paper staple will be inserted ABS Plastic, Outside pieces need to be weather resistant Injection Molding
29 Plastic Housing 2 Protects inside pieces ABS Plastic, Outside pieces need to be weather resistant Injection Molding
30 Screws 25 holds separate pieces together Steel, Holds shape well under stress Machined
31 Plastic Ends 2 Used with Plastic Slide ABS Plastic, Outside pieces need to be weather resistant Injection Molding
32 Rubber Bottom 1 Provides cushion between stapler and surface Rubber, Won't scratch tabletop Cut
33 Information Sheet 1 Contains Model Name and other info about stapler Aluminum, Plastic Coated, Can be printed on easily Manufactured
34 Small Plastic Housing 1 Protects inside pieces Plastic, Outside pieces need to be weather resistant Injection Molding
35 Wires 6 Transfers electrical signals to different parts of stapler Copper, Rubber, Conducts electricity well, insulates well Manufactured


Pictures Of Dissection

Before Dissection
Beforedissection.jpg
After Step 8
Afterstep8.jpg
After Step 13
Afterstep13.jpg
After Step 19
After19.jpg
After Step 21
After21.jpg
After Step 27
After24.jpg

CAD Drawings

The CAD files can be downloaded here.

Complete Gearbox
Newassen1.jpg
Motor
Newmotorg22.jpg
Gear 1
Newpart4.jpg
Gear 2
Newpart3.jpg
Gear 3
Newtutor1.jpg
Gear 4
Newpart2.jpg

After Disassembly

Suggested Changes

We suggest the following changes be made to the product:

  • Make wires more secure


We felt the inside workings of the stapler were too delicate. Many of the wires running from the main circuit board to the various parts of the stapler were not attached securely enough. The wires were very thin and could easily be cut or pulled out of their connections if not handled with extreme care. If heavier adhesives or thicker wires were used, this would be less of a problem.


  • Change staple tray


The staple tray is easily jammed. It is supported on two rails, one on each side of the tray. When the button is pressed to eject the tray so staples can be loaded, the tray usually gets caught up on its rails. The user then needs to pull on the tray to create enough clearance to load the staples into the tray, and the force needed is usually significant. We suggest polishing the rails and the tray, or using a lubricant, in order to decrease the friction between the rails and the tray and prevent the jamming. The rails and the tray could be manufactured so that the fit between them is more exact, which could also help prevent jamming. If the fit is too loose, there could be too much play between the parts, allowing them to jam, which seems to be the case now. If the fit is too tight, however, the friction between the parts increases, which could also cause it to jam.


  • Increase clearance where paper is inserted


Due to the rigidity of the stapler's casing, there is little clearance where the paper is inserted. This prevents the user from stapling large documents. Increasing this clearance would allow more papers to be stapled at once, although it would increase the overall size of the stapler. Also, a stronger motor or different gear ratios might be needed to ensure the stapler has the power to force the staple through a thicker stack of papers.

Assembly

The assembly procedure is very much the reverse process of the disassembly procedure, and is done mostly by hand, screwdrivers only in use when screws are used to attach components:

1.Gears put back into gear casing

2.Metal and plastic casings put back together and lock washer put back on shaft

3.Circuit board attached back into the plastic casing using 2 screws

Note: the single black wire that connect between the main circuit board and the motor is pulled out, we can’t fixed it due to lack of proper tools

4.Spring reattached

5.Black-red wires running from lower front of stapler attached back to the main circuit board

6.Black-red and red-white-black wires running from bottom casing are attached back to the main circuit board

7.Bottom casing attached back to the whole metal casing using 4 screws, 2 on the left side, 2 on the right side

8.LED bulb attached back to the plastic casing

9.Blue manual-auto switch attached between the metal casing and the bottom plastic casing.

10.Battery contacts attached back to the main black casing

11.Two plastic casing pieces put back together

12.Plastic casing pieces attached back to the bottom plastic casing using 6 screws

13.Blue staple depth tabs attached

14.The “Swingline” sticker attached back to the bottom

15.The staple remover attached back to its original slot

After Assembly

How Product Works

  • In Automatic mode

As stated in Executive Summary:

When a stack of papers is placed under the staple area, the document presses a metal trigger up against a metal plate, instantly closing the circuit. When the circuit is closed, a circuit board sends a signal to the motor. The motor spins, turning a set of four small gears that are connected to it. The last gear has a tab on it, and when the gear spins, the tab presses the stapler arm down against the paper, finally stapling the document.

  • In Manual mode

When paper is inserted in the staple area, the user presses a small button on the top of the stapler. This button has a plastic tab on the bottom of it (inside the stapler when fully assembled). The tab presses a metal trigger against a metal plate, closing the circuit. This mechanism is same as in the automatic process, but it is in a different place in the stapler using different physical parts. The rest of the process is same as above.

Product Operation After Reassembly

The product did not run the same as before disassembly due to a technical difficulty. The housing for the wire within the stapler was pretty fragile. During the disassembly process, we accidentally pull a black wire that connected the main circuit board and the motor, making operation imposible. We can’t fix this problem due to technically difficulty caused by lack of proper tools.

Product Testing Possibilities

The most important part to research would be in the area of how many papers the stapler could staple. This number would have to be quite accurate because it would most likely be used while advertising the product. The following is a possible mathmatical model:

The first step would be to determine how much power is needed to punch through a piece of paper. From there a motor and gear assembly with the proper ratios to match the amount of power needed can be designed. When this is done the size of the staple can be chosen to match the power of the motor. The motor may be able to punch through 40 papers but if the staple can not reach that far it can't be said that the stapler will work on 40 papers.

Comparison of Disassembly and Assembly Processes

The disassembly and assembly processes are pretty much the reverse of one another. Some of the steps within the processes can be switched, but the general big steps are just the reverse of each other. Because it’s basic principles that you take some thing off, you just have to put the back the same way (e.g. you unscrew a screw on one slot by turning the screw counterclockwise, then when you put it back, you will turn the screw clockwise). We use the same set of tools to assemble and disassemble the product. We were not able to assemble of the product due to lack of proper tools (to fix the black wire that connects the main circuit board and the motor).

Additional Suggested Changes

NOTE: see also After Disassembly

  • Better housing of the wire. The wire connecting to the motor should be held in place by a clamp. Other exposed wires should be held in place by tape so that they are not loose and easily pulled.
  • Better design for the stapler slide to avoid jamming. If the release button was able to push down farther it wouldn’t catch the staple tray causing it to stop short of being fully extended. Also if the spring used had more resistance it would provide a stronger force when ejecting the staple tray.
  • The outer casing should be altered so that it does not cover the staple tray. This would give the consumer easy access to the tray so that he/she can see why the tray is jammed.
  • The clearance of the stapler should be raised so it can staple bigger documents, which means the addition of a stronger motor.
  • The current design uses 5 gears. If this number was reduced to three gears more space would be available for a larger motor. This would also reduce the amount of energy lost due to friction between the gears, which makes better use of the motors power.

References

(2006). Swingline. Retrieved December 3, 2007.

Web site: http://www.acco.com/swingline/

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