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Contents 1 Product Dissection 1.1 Function/Purpose: 1.2 Inputs/Outputs: 1.3 Use: 1.4 Functional Operation: 1.5 Components 1.6 DFMA, FMEA, DFE Analysis

Product Dissection

The following notes were taken prior to and during product dissection.

Function/Purpose:

This can opener provides a low effort method to opening any size can.

Inputs/Outputs:

• INPUTS: Battery Power
• INPUTS: Positioning of opener
• INPUTS: Press button until unit begins to move
• OUTPUTS: Cut through can to open
• OUTPUTS: Rotates around can

Use:

1. Opener is removed from storage place and placed in position on top of can.
2. Button is held until opener begins to move.
3. Let go and wait for opener to finish.

• If the can is larger than a standard soup can multiple cycles must be used.

4. Lift the opener off of the can.

• Because of the magnet, this also lifts the top off of the can.

5. Remove top of can from opener and replace opener in storage place.

Functional Operation:

1. Opener is positioned on can, which presses a safety switch.
2. Button on top is pressed to close main circuit using manual switch.
3. Motor engages and turns several gears to drive movement wheel and move the cutting wheel into position.

• There are four gears used to gear down the movement wheel, with a fifth gear to further slow the cutting wheel.

4. As cutting wheel gets into position, the main circuit is closed using an automatic switch that is pressed by the top of the cutting wheel shaft.
5. The cutting wheel is even further geared down using a secondary portion to its gear. This allows it to rotate roughly ten degrees about six times through the cutting process.
6. When the cycle is nearly completed the cutting wheel is retracted again and the automatic switch is released, stopping the opener.
7. A magnet on the underside of the opener lifts the top of the can with it when the opener is lifted off.

Components

The can opener has several components and electrical assemblies. It appears that most are purchased from suppliers while casings are injection molded in house. Some components seem like they could be removed to allow for a faster and easier assembly. Also, with a large enough scale of production, it may be beneficial to begin making some of the injection molded gears in house as well. Much more detail as to what individual components are used, what their purpose is, and their likely manufacturing processes.

Part Number	Part Name	Qty	Function	Manufacturing Process
001	Battery Casing	1	Encloses batteries Protects against cutting wheel Holds magnet	Injection Molded Plastic
002	Lower Shell	1	Holds Batteries Holds internal components	Injection Molded Plastic
003	Upper Shell	1	Holds button in place Holds internal components	Injection Molded Plastic
004	Screws(large)	7	Used to fasten top and bottom cases together	Cast
005	Pressure switch	2	Safety feature to make sure battery casing is on Safety feature to make sure opener is positioned on can	Electrical Switch, Stamped Sheet Metal and plastic housing
006	Movement Wheel	1	Provides pressure so that cutting wheel can pierce can Rotates opener around can	Cast or Forged
007	Cap Screw	1	Attaches cutting wheel to gearing	Cast
008	Washer	1	Provides adequate spacing between cap screw and cutting wheel	Stamped
009	Cutting Wheel	1	Cuts through can to remove lid	Stamped
010	Magnet	1	Keeps opener mounted to can lid Lifts top of can off when opener is lifted off	Cast
011	Reverse Switch	1	Reverses the direction of the motor	Electrical Switch, Injection Molded Plastics
012	Manual Pinion	1	Allows manual rotation of the gear system using a screwdriver	Injection Molded Plastic
013	Positive Terminal	2	Attaches to positive end of battery	Stamped
014	Negative Terminal	2	Attahced to negative end of battery	Stamped
015	Main button	1	Initially turns on power to engage motor	Injection Molded Plastic
016	Internal Switch	2	Completes circuit to power motor	Stamped Metal and Injection Molded Plastics
017	Switch Spacer	1	Spreads switch blades so it is only engaged when button is pressed	Injection Molded Plastics
018	Screw(small)	1	Mounts Switch Spacer to Upper Shell	Cast
019	Motor	1	Drives geartrain, movement wheel, and cutting wheel	Electrical Assembly, Case Drawn
020	Circuit Board	1	Allows reverse switch to reverse the motor's polarity	Electrical Assembly, single layer copper
021	Motor Pinion	1	Transfers motor rotation to geartrain	Injection Molded Plastics
022	Ratio Gears	3	Gear down motor output to usable speed and torque	Injection Molded Plastics
023	Movement Gear	1	Drives the movement wheel Drives the cutting gear	Injection Molded Plastics
024	Bent Pin	1	Attaches movement gear to movement wheel	Wire drawn or extruded
025	Cutting Gear	1	Moves cutting wheel into position Slowly rotates cutting wheel	Injection Molded Plastic
026	Slow Drive Gear	1	Moves the cutting gear slowly while engaged	Injection Molded Plastic
027	Shaft	6	Mounts gears	Extruded

DFMA, FMEA, DFE Analysis