Tuesday, 5 October 2010

ILM proposal (2 slides added to bottom)


Its 7:30am: I’ve been training hard in the gym for over an hour now contemplating finishing for the day. I’m standing in front of the tricep pulley (think of common exercise machine to reference) and I decide to go for one more set. I’m too tired to complete another set at 15kg so I go to lower the weight resistance. My next option is 10kg but I know this will be too easy. Do I attempt to push myself beyond my means resulting in possible injury or do I lower the weight and not be able to push myself at all. Why can’t I simply select the exact weight I want to train with, or even better, why can’t the machine choose the weight I should train with? 
My proposal is to create an alternative system able to out-perform the traditional weight rack. The three main areas of focus will be (1) a mechanism able to offer equal or greater resistance then a weight rack, (2) a method of measuring resistance accurately comparable to weight (kg/lbs), (3) the ability for the system to determine the appropriate amount of resistance for the user to use. The design must be able to incorporate these features whilst keeping ease of use and able to be fitted to a standard wired pulley design.
The current pulley system cannot be defined by one machine. There are many different models and make on the market today. Initial overview research into existing models can be used to help define commonalities in current systems revealing what works and what needs improving. There are many variations into the ergonomics of the pulley equipment, however, the basic operation/function of the equipment is very similar:
The majority of the designs rely on the weight rack system involving many equally sized weights plates stacked upon each other. Using a pin travelling through the centre of the rack the number of plates that can be lifted can be interchanged. The more plates, the more weight/resistance.
pastedGraphic.pdfAdvantages - 
-increments can be decided by manufacturer
-large weight variation achievable
-simple
-quick to interchange
Disadvantages - 
-Uses defined increments
-For large weight variety lots of plates required
-User required to set appropriate weight
     The main competitor/variation in design is to hang weight plates onto anchor points to add greater weight/resistance. The main difference with this method is the plates vary in size/weight normally from 1.25kg to 25kg. Using multiple weights in various combinations a sequential weight increment increase is achievable.

Advantages -
-Very large weight variations possible with few discs
-Accuracy to 1.25kg of any weight is achievable
-Simple

Disadvantages -
-Can take time to interchange
-Weight has to be lifted and placed/removed onto device
-Lots of plates required for accurate increments
-Uses increments




Another successful mainstream alternative from the traditional stacking weights is the ‘‘Bowflex’’ range of equipment. Solid weights are replaced by compound rods which flex giving increasing resistance the more they are flexed/bowed. Different bows of varying stiffness allow for a range of resistance groups simulating weight ranges.
pastedGraphic.pdf
Advantages -
-Resistance increase gradually through motion
-Seen/marketed as new, different, prestigious
Disadvantages -
-Expensive
-Bows will lose strength/rigidity over time
-Accurate weight/resistance unattainable
-Bows need to be interchanged to 
increase/decrease resistance

     Upon looking into common/popular types of gym pulleys certain commonalities and shared characteristics have arisen. To assure my design will be an improvement on the competition it must adhere to the following objectives:

The system must be able to:
  • offer a resistance equal or greater to competitive systems
  • be fitted to existing cable pulley designs
  • transfer resistance levels automatically
  • display/visualize resistance levels in relatable mediums (kg,lbs)
  • automatically determine safe and appropriate training resistances
  • determine resistance levels by analogue with an accuracy > 0.1kg
In designing a system where there are already successful competitors on the market the first area to research is the competitors themselves to establish:
What makes them successful?
Why companies choose to use their designs?
How they are manufactured?
The cost endured to produce them? 
The processes involved? 
What materials are involved?
A successful product must be designed not only for aesthetics and functionality but the whole process of development production of distribution must be taken into account. 
To construct a new system, researching into all existing similar systems and their mechanisms is always helpful. Looking into unsuccessful designs can be just as important as the successful. It can raise and answer many questions to why the design/product wasn't as successful as its counterparts. My focus will be on mechanisms for producing resistance, maintaining loads and controlling varying weights
Lastly, and most importantly, is to research the opinions of the users of the final product, the public. The public opinion on its own can determine the success of a product. A design could entail the optimum efficiency at the lowest production cost, but if no-one would ever use/purchase the product, it will never be made. To avoid such a scenario a survey will need to be undertaken. Considerations will need to be taken into how the information is gathered and how the general public will be interacted with.
Survey/Questionnaire considerations
  • Multiple choice questions
  • Yes / No questions
  • Keep questionnaire short
  • Unnecessary personal information left out - name
  • Ask broad audience
  • Survey from multiple gyms with varying equipment
  • Ask for permission from site if necessary
Public interaction considerations
  • Always polite
  • Provide clipboards/pens
  • Ask once to fill in survey
  • Allow for discrepancies in answers
References



Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)