Overview

A user friendly electronic controller designed to withstand harsh environments.

The Challenge

The Ecolab controller needed to be intuitive, easy to use, and able to withstand exposure to water and chemical. It needed to work every time until removed from the field. Lastly, the device needed to be as cost effective as possible.

The Solution

Feedback from customers showed that user acceptance would make or break the project. Concept brainstorming occurred over several months until a final approach was agreed upon. I worked closely with the electrical engineering, software engineering and industrial design teams during the development of the device.

My Contributions

• Gathered voice of customer (VOC)
• Prototyped parts
• Estimated initial cost of system
• Performed finite element analyses (FEA)
• Designed parts for injection molding
• Managed $240,000 tooling budget
• Lead mechanical engineer
• Toleranced parts using GD&T
• Conducted failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
• Installed units in field
• Planned experiments and carried out testing
  • Material compatibility
  • Environmental
  • Reliability
  • Impact Loading
  • System level

Links

• Overview of Apex Warewash program
• Video with overview of controller