Design for Manufacturability

Automatic Jar Opener Redesign

The Black&Decker Lids Off JW200 Automatic Jar Opener is targeted towards users that may not be able to open food and materials jars due to injury, geriatric conditions, physical special conditions and arm-constricted child care-givers.  The product is designed so as to sit on a kitchen countertop, operate single-handedly, and complete the lid vs. jar rotation to loosen the container lid.  The primary goal in this re-design was an automatic jar opener that consumes less volume at a reduced manufacturing cost.  Secondary goals were to increase stability and incorporate height range control.  The relocation the motor driven gear set to below the jar, increases the product stability.  By replacing numerous self-tapping screws with snap-fit designs the assembly process is improved.  The single stage columnar structure was redesigned as a nesting column structure which allows for greater height capacity, and reduced storage height.  A new compliant height-locking mechanism allows for automatic locking of the upper body through the use of a tape-spring spool and brake mechanism.  All of these design improvements are based upon actual user feedback and allow the product to better serve its target audience and market.  This redesign was developed by Joshua F. Krieger, Norman Lu, Dragan Maric, Kevin McLoughlin, and Christine Vehar in Winter 2005, instructors: Prof. Sridhar Kota, Mentor Dr. Donald Malen, and Teaching Assistant Audrey Plinta.

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