blender redesign

third year studio

reverse engineering a power tool

2 months

Take apart and learn from an existing product to better understand how to design for the user and manufacturability.

product research /

solidworks /

keyshot /

The project was to reverse engineer/design any product with a motor

I was able to source an original Dormeyer blender from the 1950s secondhand. I wanted to draw inspiration from this era, both in aesthetic appeal and the sustainable approach.

taking apart the blender I was able to learn about the internal mechanisms and the materials used-which would help me in creating the LCA.

Through the teardown and external research about Dormeyer, I was able to create the complete exploded view.

This info was compiled in 2023.

A product Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) helps us better understand the costs and processes involved in creating a manufacturable product. It also helps us design more sustainably, for both the environment and the company.

key findings

discussion guide

First, I would like to confirm you are the right fit for product testing.

Demographics

What's your age?
Where do you live?
What's your occupation?
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Do you own a blender?
On average, how many times per week do you use a blender?

Context

What type of blender do you own?
Where do you typically use your blender?
What are the main purposes for which you use your blender?
Do you use your blender for any specific recipes or ingredients?
Are there any specific features or settings on your blender that you use frequently?

these are common tests performed to measure the whole-scale quality of a product.

(Juice+Frozen fruit+Greens)

Scenario 1: Smoothie

Frozen fruit is hard and will really test the blender’s power.

Greens, like spinach are fibrous and hard to liquefy.

1 cup of frozen fruit, a handful of greens, and a cup and a half of juice
Blend for about 15 secs

(Ice Crushing)

Scenario 2: Ice

The blender must crush the ice into a snow-like consistency without too much trouble.

2 cups of ice
Blend until right consistency

(max 60 secs)

(Egg+Oil+Lemon juice+Spices+ Mustard)

Scenario 3: Mayo

Has to be blended at a low speed without getting too hot to not cook the egg.

Scenario Questions

Can you walk me through the process of using your blender for each scenario?
How do you measure the ingredients before blending?
Can you describe the process of adding ingredients to the blender?
How do you control the speed and power of the blender?
Describe the process of cleaning your blender after use.
Have you ever experienced any difficulties or challenges while using your blender?

Follow-up Questions

How would you rate your overall experience using your blender?
Are there any specific aspects of your blender that you particularly like or dislike?
Have you ever used any other blenders in the past? If so, how does your current blender compare?
Can you describe any improvements or changes you would like to see in your blender?

Final Remarks

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience using your blender?
Are there any questions or concerns you have about your blender that we haven't covered?