Field Testing With Ergonomic Products

By Author: Bryan Dressler
Total Articles: 2
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Ergonomic product design has many layers to work through before it is made available to the general public. Among the most important layers is the critical step of field testing. As listed below, field testing also has many layers to work through. Even if a product seems to be structurally and practically sound, field testing still remains as a major step that could potentially save your business a significant amount of money. Field testing allows a product to go from good to great, and works out any of the kinks before an investment is made on large scale production. Working through these steps allows the field testing stage to function as efficient as possible.

Stage 1 - Mock-Up: Creating a 3D rendition of the ergonomic product is an critical step in any design project. 3D renditions work best when they are semi functional and allow the design team to get an accurate depiction of what the product will be like. Normally, this step helps to correct the major issues that were missed in the original design of the product.

Stage 2 – Product Prototype: A fully function version of the product is now in order to be ...
... used only by the design team. It’s important that the design team works with the product and experiments with it in every way possible before anyone outside of the team works with it.

Stage 3 – User Focus Group: Once the product has been reviewed by the design team, a group of select individuals that represents the intended demographic should be gathered and allowed to use the product. Ask the group what could be improved and/or what parts of the design don’t function well for them and why. Public input is a very important step and critics should be seriously considered by the design team.

Stage 4 – Safety: Once the product has been perfected to satisfy the design team and a user group, the team must now consider the safety of the product. Ask, is this product safe to use? If not, how can it become a safe product? Considering this step insures your product will have fewer problems with consumers and protects your business from liability issues.

Stage 5 – Code Compliance: State and Federal laws regulate the products that are available to consumers. Be sure to check into the legalities of the products design before major production takes place to insure your business is not wasting production money.

Stage 6 - Field Test: This crucial introduction of the product into field conditions is one of the most important stages of all. All aspects of the product must be "Acid" tested in order to know if the design is robust enough to be translated into manufacture.

Following the above steps will help your business and ergonomic products reach its maximum potential and save thousands of dollars and potentially even make or break a product or company. A product must be tested and perfected before the critics and consumers get a hold of it. The public will not only scrutinize the product, but test the product in every way imaginable. To get one step ahead is good business decisions that will help your business continue to achieve success.

Author Bio:

Dressler’s past work as an Ergonomic Designer has included projects with Boeing, DuPont, Noel Mayo Assoc., and Britax Health Tecna. His specialties include; conceptualization, drafting, rendering, technical consulting, safety coordination, and more. For more information about Bryan Dressler and how he is using SolidWorks software to help clients meet their Ergonomic Design needs visit http://www.ergonomicdesigner.com or call 206-855-9638.