how to...
PRODUCT TEARDOWN
carry out a
?
What is the aim?
The main aims of a product teardown are to establish:
​
1) How the product works
2) How the product fits together
3) What materials the product is made from
4) How the parts are manufactured
​
By taking the product apart you can learn so much about it and are instantly be able to see how complex even the simplest of products is. In enables you to learn from the hard work of others and get to grips with some complex ideas quicker than if you were to start from the beginning.
​
eg. If you were needing to design a torch and knew nothing about the electronics by taking one apart you can begin to understand it very quickly.
​
How to do this?
Below is a video of a Maglite torch being taken apart. You will notice that as it is happening things are being 'noted' and kept in order so that things can be remembered once it is complete. eg the order it fits together. The parts are also being labelled which helps.
How to document this?
As always you can create a video or take a photo but it is important to write down some key details on this page:
​
1) How the product works: note any electronics or mechanical elements and find out how these aspects work -supplementing your teardown with further internet/book research is really valuable
​
2) How the product fits together: what techniques are used the fit all the different parts together eg screws, threads, glues, tolerance fits, clips etc
​
3) What materials the product is made from: define materials and then say why you think that materials as been used, what properties does it have that make it fit for purpose
​
4) How the parts are manufactured: Look for any signs of manufacturing techniques like injection moulding. By considering this now allows you to select these commercial manufacturing techniques later.
​
Below is an example on thinglink.com, if you hover over the dots some information about the parts pops up.