Assignment 5: Product Architecture of a Fingernail Clipper

Problem 8.2:

The standard fingernail clipper is an excellent illustration of the integral style of product architecture. The clipper system consists of four individual components: lever (A), pin (B), upper clipper arm (C) and lower clipper arm (D). Sketch a fingernail clipper, label its four components and describe the functionality provided by each component.

Figure 1

Total number of parts = 4

The standard nail clipper is a portable tool used for trimming fingernails and toenails. It can also be used for filing your nails and removing the dirt from behind your nails. The nail clipper consists of three main parts, which are:

1)  Lever

• It is connected to the base by the same bolt that connects the two main pieces of the base. The bolt is constructed to allow the leverage part to rotate 360 degrees about the bolt. When the piece is lifted forward and in, it parallels itself to the base (Figure 1). It can also be moved to a position 43 degrees at an angle to the base which allows the piece to compress the two sharp end pieces of the base.

2) Base

• It has two pieces consists of upper clipper arm and lower clipper arm connected to each other by a bolt at an angle of 5 degrees to each other. At the ends of these two pieces is the sharp part of the nail clipper that is used to cut the nail. These ends are shaped to fit around your fingernail or toenail.

3) File

• The file is connected to the base of the nail clipper by a circular shaft at the opposite end of the clipper. It can rotate about this shaft 360 degrees, which allows for easy access of the file. At the end of the file there is a sharp point which allows the user to remove dirt from behind the nails.

The three main parts of a nail clipper all work together to provide the necessary leverage to compress the sharp ends of the base. The nail clipper works to trim your nails when the lever is at an angle to the base of the clipper. When the lever is compressed with your nail underneath the cutter, that portion of your nail is removed.

Problem 8.3:

Design a new fingernail clipper with totally modular product architecture. Make a sketch and label the friction provided by each part. Compare the number of parts in this design with the original standard nail clipper.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Total number of parts = 3

This design consists of two main parts that used to provide necessary leverage

1)  Lever

• Flexible as it can be rotated 180° to open (Figure 2) or to close (Figure 3)
• Connected to the base by a side pin

2) Base

• Consists of two parts, lower clipper arm and upper clipper arm.
• Connected by a pin.
• Can be disassembled easily.
• At the end of the two pieces is the sharp part that used to cut the nail