Nerf gun
From DDL Wiki
Contents |
Executive Summary
Product Study
Functionality
Video Link of all Nerf Blasters Firing at Once
Big Bad Bow
Rapid Fire 20
Buzz Saw
User Study
Users were picked at random to use and comment on the Nerf blasters in a public setting in the middle of the Carnegie Mellon Campus. Observations of the users were made and comments were recorded. The following is a compilation of all the observations and comments made about each product during the study.
Big Bad Bow
General Feedback: People tended to initially think the gun was very appealing, but after using it were often disappointed in its performance.
User responses:
- Sight was useful for lateral accuracy, not for vertical positioning - Large learning curve for an accurate shot - Not good compared to other nerf weapons - Ammo breaks easily - Shooting mechanism is complicated, many misfires trying to get ready - Operation is not immediately apparent, unclear on how to hold it - Short Range - Too big - Fulfills a classic "image" - Can't de-cock the mechanism - Not immediately apparent how to cock it - Confusing design, too much is cosmetic
Rapid Fire 20
User responses:
- Takes forever to pump and load - Good for crowds - Is the most fun: most people would want to buy this gun after playing with all three - Not very comfortable - No pressure gauge, when should pumping stop? - Pumping force is too great - Tube behind grip is annoying - Hard to aim, there is no sight - Pump feels flimsy - More satisfying to fire than other nerf blasters - More "feedback" feel when firing - Tedious to pick up all the fired ammo - "Single Fire" mode does not function properly (fires multiple darts still) - Wasn't apparent at first that it needed to be pumped to fire - Not all of the darts fire; some get stuck.
Buzz Saw
User responses:
- Very accurate - Jammed frequently, and the top ball often did not fall into the shooting mechanism from the loading station - Makes an annoying sound - Makes an awesome sound - Is difficult or impossible to shoot at an upwards angle - Difficult to remember to stop pumping before firing, making shots inaccurate - Limited by the user's strength - Seems the easiest to improve - More obvious function - Short Range if not primed well
Performance Studies
Whenever somebody picks up a nerf gun, two of the things they are most concerned about are how far the gun can shoot, and how accurate the gun is to fire. To measure both of these capabilities, we set up two tests.
Distance Study
Set Up: Guns were fired indoors from a horizontal orientation from 33.5" above the ground, and the position where the ammo first hit the ground was measured. The gun was held very steady when being shot so that no extra forward momentum was imparted on the projectile. Tests were performed indoors, so there was no wind or other disturbances.
Big Bad Bow: 19.0, 19.2, 18.10, 18.10, 17.10, 17.2, 19.0, 19.1, & 18.7 (Average 18' 7")
Rapid Fire 20: 18' - 22' Spread
Buzz Saw: 26.10, 29.4, 29.5, 30.1, 32.2, 32.9, 29.3, 30.4, & 31.4 (Average 30' 2")
Pictures
Videos
Accuracy Study
Set Up: 3 people without previous nerf gun experience were selected at random to participate in the study. Each person was instructed to stand 17' away from a target and fire with each separate nerf gun at the target. Pictures were taken in order to discern their accuracy. Then one of our group members, after practicing with all three guns, did the same accuracy test and the results were recorded as well. By testing both groups, we will be able to figure out how easy each gun is to aim for a beginner, and for somebody with more experience.
Videos
Results!!!
Product Dissection
Mechanical Function
Bill of Materials
Big Bad Bow
| Part No. | Name | Function | Quantity | Material | Mass | Manufacturing Process | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Bow Arm and Outer Cog | Cosmetic | 2 | Plastic | 56g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 102 | Small Inner Cog | Cosmetic | 2 | Plastic | 5g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 201 | Front Left Cover | Priming Mechanism Housing | 1 | Plastic | 117g | Injection Molded |  
|
| 202 | Front Right Cover | Priming Mechanism Housing | 1 | Plastic | 118g | Injection Molded |  
|
| 203 | Rear Right Cover | Barrel/Action Housing | 1 | Plastic | 123g | Injection Molded |  
|
| 204 | Front Left Cover | Barrel/Action Housing | 1 | Plastic | 119g | Injection Molded |  
|
| 301 | Nozzle | Air Delivery/Dart Delivery | 1 | Plastic | 17g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 302 | Nozzle Tip | Air Restriction/FOD Protection | 1 | Plastic | <1g | Injection Molded |   
|
| 303 | White Tip Holder | Holds Nozzle Tip | 1 | Plastic | 3g | Injection Molded |   
|
| 304 | White Air Restrictor + Spring | Air Restriction | 1 | Plastic/Steel | 3g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 305 | Rubber Piston | Air Delivery | 1 | Latex Rubber | 5g | Injection Molded |   
|
| 306 | Barrel Lock | Action Lock | 2 | Plastic | 2g | Injection Molded |  
|
| 307 | Piston Shaft | Air Delivery | 1 | Plastic | 26g | Injection Molded |   
|
| 308 | Trigger Lock | Action Release | 1 | Plastic | 2g | Injection Molded |  
|
| 309 | Trigger | Action Release | 1 | Plastic | 8g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 310 | Spring Stop | Piston-Cylinder Spring Compression | 1 | Plastic | 1g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 311 | Cylinder | Air Delivery | 1 | Plastic | 26g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 401 | Eyepiece | Cosmetic | 1 | Plastic | 4g | Injection Molded | 
|
| 402 | Eyepiece Lens | Cosmetic/Aiming | 1 | Acrylic | <1g | Die Cut | 
|
| 501 | Arrow Dart | Ammo | 3 | Styrofoam | 5g | Molded/Glued | 
|
| 901 | Screw | Fastener | 18 | Steel | 0.5g | Forged/Machined | 
|
| 902 | Spring for Barrel Lock | Action Spring | 2 | Steel | <.5g | Rolled/Bent | 
|
| 903 | Short Trigger Spring | Release Mechanism | 1 | Steel | <1g | Rolled/Bent | 
|
| 904 | Long Trigger Spring | Release Mechanism | 1 | Steel | <1g | Rolled/Bent | 
|
| 905 | Piston Spring | Air Delivery | 1 | Steel | 12g | Rolled/Bent | 
|
Preliminary Analysis
Stakeholders
Some of the main stakeholders in nerf guns are the children who play with them, the parents who buy them and supervise their use, and the retailers that stock them.
Children: The children in this case are the end users, the one who actually use the product. They are also the ones who probably nag their parents into buying them, so it's both important that the guns appeal to them before they are bought, and they are enjoyable. In particular, children will enjoy a gun if it is "fun" to play with (generally involves power, ease of use, & physical appeal)
Parents: Even though the children play with the toy, the parents have a large stake in it as well. If the gun ever doesn't work, the parent will of course have to deal with returning the gun, or buying a replacement (or replacement ammo). Also, if a child is ever injured while playing with the toy, the parent has to help heal the injured child, and probably reprimand another child. Parents will like most the gun that is safe to use (very little chance of injury) and reliable (no need for extra trips to the toy store).
Retailer: The retailer has the smallest stake in terms of day to day use, but their profit off the item is what determines if it stays available to purchase. The retailer will only like items that are popular (sell quickly, attract attention), have no customer support issues (no returns), and are easy to keep in shop (not breakable, easily storeable).
