EDGE™

Concept Level Project PlanP0860X (1-5)

Eula Dozier’s “Tile Measurer”

Paul Gaylo (ME)Ryan Hellems (ME)Cortney Ross (ME)

Jeremy Schiele (ME)Reid Williamson (ME)

EDGE™

Concept Level Project Plan• Project Name

– Dozier Tile Layout Tool• Project Number

– P0860(1-5) • Project Family

– Construction Industry Technology• Track

– Entrepreneurship and Business Development Track• Start Term

– 2007-2• End Term

– 2007-3• Faculty Guide

– Dr. Tim Landscoot (ME) unconfirmed• Faculty Consultant

– Dr. Mark Kempski (ME) unconfirmed• Faculty Consultant

– Dr. Stephen Boedo (ME) unconfirmed• Primary Customer

– Mr. Eula Dozier, Original Inventor - confirmed

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Phase 0: PlanningMission Statement

Product Description This product is a device that can mark tiles for cutting that are to be laid against a wall. It enables many tiles to be marked at once, and marks them according to the exact contour of the wall. Currently it is only for linoleum tile, but expansion to ceramic time is expected.

Key Business Goals The primary business goals of this product are to -enable contractors and users of the device to mark tile more efficiently, cutting down on the time needed to finish a job.-increase the profitability of a tiling job to the company that its contracted to. -become a source of revenue for the product’s inventor: Eula Dozier.-make it easier for the average person to get clean and correct cuts the first time, every time.

Primary Market This product’s primary market is composed of professional contractors who lay large quantities of tile on a regular basis.

Secondary Market The secondary customer base contains all other types of people who could be laying tile- this includes the “do-it-yourselfers,” smaller scale contractors, and remodelers.

Stakeholders Professional Tiling Contractors“Do-it-yourselfers”Hardware/ Home StoresTile manufactures Home owners & businesses having tile work doneGeneral contractors & Spec home builders Home Improvement TV Shows- such as Hometime & This Old House who may showcase the tool

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Phase 0: PlanningStaffing Requirements

Mechanical Engineers 3-4This device is purely mechanical as there are no electrical or computer components implemented into this device. Mechanical engineers would be needed to figure out the parts that are needed to help the device follow the contour of a wall, slide along the edge of tiles, and mark the tiles. They are also needed to help figure out how to mark inner and outer corner tiles.

Electrical Engineers 0There are currently no plans for, or existing electrical components used in this device so there is no need for an electrical engineer at this point in time.

Industrial and Systems Engineers1There are no systems used in this device, however an IE will be helpful with the ergonomics of the device. There will also need to be a coherent user’s manual to accompany the product on the shelf, and possibly testing protocols to be written and performed.

Computer Engineers0There is no software used in this device so there is no need for computer engineers at this point in time.

Business Majors1-2Mr. Dozier would eventually like this product to be available for the public to purchase, so business majors would be able to define a business plan and increase the marketability of the product.

Industrial Design Majors1-2At this point in time, the prototype is very rough and not too appealing to the eye. An ID could help make the look of the device more appealing to the customer. It would be helpful if this ID had an interest or background in product prototyping, and help design the device to be producible in large quantities.

EDGE™

Phase 0: PlanningResource Requirements

People-Eula Dozier (inventor)-SD Team (4-8 members)-Faculty Advisor & Guide (consultants)-Tile Contractors (industry contacts)

Environment -SD cubby-Open floor testing space-Construction site (onsite testing)

Equipment-Machine shop-Computers with design software-Rapid prototyping equipment-Mr. Dozier’s prototype-Mr. Dozier’s testing fixture-Challenging wall profile testing fixture

Materials-Variety of tiles-Tile laying materials-Standard machining materials -Vendor components

EDGE™

Phase 1: Concept DevelopmentIdentify Customer Needs - Interviews

Primary CustomersEula Dozier (inventor)

Inspired to develop prototype after observing a tile layer as a general contractor with no tiling experience. This 2nd generation prototype is patent pending and functions to mark linoleum tiles accurately to a wall profile. Patent info, CAD files, prototype, and testing fixture are in RIT hands and accessible to all tile project teams.

Tile Contractors (users)TO BE INTERVIEWED A.S.A.P Prototype was designed to a limited set of needs and more must be uncovered through dialog and observing users in their environment. Photos, video, and sketches will be utilized.

Other StakeholdersDo-It-Yourself Consumers

TO BE INTERVIEWED at a later point in the product development processFlooring Tool Vendors

TO BE INTERVIEWED at a later point in the product development processex. Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement, and professional suppliers

Previous ProjectsNO similar SD projects exist

Eula Dozier’s Prototype – addresses the need for tile laying innovations to reduce labor efforts

Existing flooring tools – none available that are as innovative

Polygraph machine from Thomas Jefferson’s collection – exists as technological inspiration.

EDGE™

Phase 1: Concept DevelopmentIdentify Customer Needs - Benchmarking

Competitive or Cooperative SolutionsThe benchmarking for this project will be somewhat alternative to what other senior design teams will conduct. A comparative rather than a competitive benchmarking solution will have to suffice. Benchmarking will serve more as a means to express the problem and aid in its definition, rather than a way to gather competing design information.

A trip to the local hardware store has already been conducted and information about the available “tools of the trade” was probed. Several key ideas were established:

• When asked “what tool do I use to layout a tile to be cut?” the sales associate responded “a china marker” • Tools with similar functions to the prototype were not able to be purchased.• Lesser tools used together are current technology for tile layouts.

Internet SearchThe internet is a limitless treasure trove of DIY info. Curiously, the internet is partial when it comes to professional techniques and commercial flooring systems.

• The internet has even revealed a basic marking tool: http://www.tiletool.net/Marking_Tools.asp • The RIT library Engineering Data Bases: http://wally.rit.edu/electronic/topic/engineering.html • The traditional industrial suppliers:

McMaster Carr: www.mcmaster.com (everything you need to thrive in industry)MSC: www.mscdirect.com (everything you need in industry with special attention to specific markets)Misumi: www.misumiusa.com (parts and hardware for the machine design industry, metric components)

Technical Literature SearchIt would be useful to add “technical personnel” to this heading. Much of the tile laying trade is based on the techniques of a professional. And much of the information that’s of the highest importance to this product and its ultimate success in the market place comes from these people.

There are a variety of D-I-Y books and informational media that cover similar topics on tile laying and the layout process

It is also important to identify relevant consumer product standards. An important part of this project, this area of technical literature has not been exploited as of yet.

EDGE™

Some Examples of a Typical DYI Book

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Phase 1: Concept DevelopmentIdentify Customer Needs - Interpret

Needs Statements:1. Device is user friendly2. Marks linoleum and ceramic tiles with visible line3. Device is rugged and robust4. Device marks interior and exterior corners5. Operates smoothly with all wall profiles and surface roughness6. Device is non marking or damaging to the tiles and wall7. Device marks wall contours onto tile accurately8. Device is adjustable for differently sized tiles and grout widths9. Device rides smoothly along tiles10. Device reduces overall tile laying effort11. Device is ergonomically friendly 12. Device is able to mark ‘on point’ tiles

EDGE™

Phase 1: Concept DevelopmentIdentify Customer Needs - Interpret

Hierarchy of Needs, organized by Relative Importance1. Device reduces tile laying effort

• Marks linoleum and ceramic tiles with visible line• Device marks interior and exterior corners• Device is non marking or damaging to the tiles

2. Device performs in its job well • Device marks wall contours accurately• Device is adjustable for different tile and grout width• Device marks ‘on point’ tiles

3. Device is rugged and robust• Device rides smoothly along tiles• Operates smoothly with all wall profiles and surface roughness

4. Device is user friendly• Device is ergonomically friendly

Reflect on the Results and the Process1. Have not interviewed any end users for current needs.2. Need to ask about future needs, and find out latent needs.3. Through interview process learned that function is most important need.

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Phase 1: Concept Development Identify Customer Needs – Interpret

Graphical Interpretation

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Future PlanWhere do you go from here?

1) Identify key personnel that would likely provide first-hand insight as to the needs of a professional on the job.

• These persons would also be likely to offer design recommendations, and ergonomic considerations

• This person would also be a customer of our product.• One of the results of the initial customer interview was the need to find an

experienced individual or individuals that can offer impartial information on the process to be solved.

2) Interview contractors and tile layers for end-user needs.

3) Talk to management at Home Depot and Lowe's about publishing in Do-It-Yourself books.

4) Talk with faculty to confirm advisor choices.