Product Design Specification

(PDS)

Product:

Game Station Hand Controller

Contents:

  1. Focus
  2. Planning
  3. Specification
  4. Packaging

1. Focus

1.1 Our market research team has identified a number of features that the game station hand controllers currently on the market either don’t have, or need to be improved. For this reason Canterbury College has decided to design, manufacture and market our own gaming station hand controller. Main design focus areas will include:

  • Ergonomics, to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI).
  • New technology, with features not currently marketed.

1.2 Customer satisfaction is our top priority. Therefore, essential market research has been carried out and will continue to be carried out on an ongoing basis, focussing on the following data:

  • What do customers like and dislike about current game stations hand controllers?
  • Which game stations hand controllers do they currently use, and why?
  • What image do customers have of our business and products?
  • What concerns would customers have about buying from Canterbury College?
  • How can we make their gaming experience more enjoyable?
  • Using sales data to identify the products that sell well and which are in decline.
  • Using sales data to identify regional and seasonal trends.
  • Identifying target age group and gender of main customer base.

2. Planning

2.1 A project team will manage the design process.

  • Specific, quantified design objectives will be set out in section 3 of this document.
  • While no specific manufacturing cost target has yet been set, good engineering practice should be used at all times to constrain manufacturing costs to a minimum, but without compromising quality.
  • Milestones for this project should be carefully recorded and managed.
  • The target completion date for the completed design portfolio is 14thJune.
  • This document will contain design constraints and considerations and must be adhered to, as set out in section 3.
  • The design should allow for all parts to be manufactured in a cost effective manner and comply with legal and health and safety requirements.
  • This product is primarily to be designed for the UK market, although alterations or enhancements will be considered for worldwide markets at a later date.

2.2 From design to manufacture to market.

  • The product launch date is set for 1st November and sufficient units need to be manufactured, assembled and tested prior to this date to ensure take-up demands are met. Further details of initial quantities will follow.
  • Specific parts used in the building of this product such as the wireless transceiver, the AA batteriesand an LED battery life indicator will be sourced from existing manufacturers. The make or buy decision for other parts will be made on a cost effectiveness basis. See 3.2 for a full list.
  • All parts will be assembled and tested in the UK.
  • It is reasonable to expect that the cost of manufacturing component parts should be kept to a minimum.
  • Standard components and tools should be used across a range of as many parts as possible, such as screws, rather than more expensive custom-made items.
  • Any additional design ideas to improve this product may be used provided the design requirements are met and approval is granted.

2.3 Intellectual property.

Protecting the intellectual property of this product is paramount throughout this project. Therefore, all employees who are involved in any way with this project must sign a Canterbury College confidentiality agreement prior to any information being disseminated to them from any source, written or verbal.

This action is being taken to prevent competitors from copying the unique design features which this product will have. In so doing, the following points must be adhered to:

  • If additional expertise is required from third parties, they must sign a Canterbury College confidentiality agreement prior to being given any information on this product, however small.
  • No information must be imparted to third parties, including family members and friends, outside of Canterbury College without the written consent from the department manager and the individual signing of the afore mentioned confidentiality agreement.
  • Patent protection for new and innovative products will be applied for wherever possible.
  • Design registration to protect the shape, appearance and function of this product will be applied for.
  • Registered trade-marks which distinguish this product from the competition will be applied for including marketing names, logo’s, etc.

3. Specification

Different types of design present different opportunities and problems. The following is a list of design features that are required as a minimum. However, extra value added ideas maybe incorporated into the design subject to approval.

3.1 The key features and functions of the hand controller design are as follows:

  • The handset will be used for many hours and must be durable in design.
  • The handset will be designed using ergonomic principles to ensure that it is comfortable to use.
  • The handsets will be wireless.
  • The handset will incorporate the following control options:

2 gaming joysticks

10gaming buttons

  • Each button on the hand controller will be identified by a symbol, a colour or an alpha-numeric character which will be logical to understand.
  • The handset will incorporate an LED battery life indicator.
  • The handset will contain 2 x 1.5V AA rechargeable batteries which should be accessible for changing/upgrading if necessary.
  • The hand controller will contain a cavity to house the PCB.
  • The circuit board may be any shape but will be 1.5mm thick and have a surface are of 3000mm² ±10%. You will also need to allow a minimum of 5mm on the top of the circuit board for surface mounted components.
  • The hand controller will of a minimum weight and be as light as it is practically possible to make it.

3.2Preset design features for hand controller.

  • The following parts are pre-determined and a digital file will be provided for each part to the designer. The designer will ensure that the hand controller and base unit incorporates appropriate apertures and fixing points to ensure that these parts fit correctly.

1.5V AA Battery

LED battery life indicator

3.3 The visual appearance:

  • The hand controller will be designed to look aesthetically pleasing in a domestic environment, in both colour and style.
  • The colour of the hand controller will be determined by the designer.

3.5 Quality standards must be used and stated in the project portfolio

  • All parts must conform to the relevant British Standard.

4. Packaging

The packaging should be made from materials which can easily be recycled and the graphics should include recycling information.

4.1 The hand controller will be packaged as a single unit.

The hand controller will be packaged in such a way as to withstand transportation vibration, a drop test from 1.5m and stacking as part of transportation and storage.