ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Selecting suitable engineering materials are done under these criteria.

 Performance requirements
 Ease and cost of production
 Aesthetic properties

In selecting the materials for the lawnmower, the above criteria have been considered as
follows.

Performance requirements

Weight/Strength: The lawnmower is chiefly designed with metal and polymer materials
(such as plastic). Since the unit should not have a very high weight (since it has to be
moved about manually), plastics and aluminium bars have been used. The stainless steel
cutting blade is used to ensure that the cutting tool is of the required toughness. Hard
plastics are used for the outer casing to ensure strength and durability.

Ease of handling: Soft rubber grips are used to ensure that the user can hold the unit
comfortably.

Durability and Efficiency: Aluminium and stainless steel (also plastic) are corrosion
resistive. This makes the product more durable. The disposal unit is made with rubber or
polymer materials to prevent it from being torn easily.

Safety: The wires used have been insulated with rubber to prevent current leakages.

Ease and cost of production

Cost and Manufacturability: Another reason for using Aluminium and plastics is to reduce
the production cost. Steel is more expensive. The plastics are easy to mould to produce the
separate components.

Aesthetic properties

The outer casing has been manufactured out of plastics with a smooth finish, and stainless
steel and Al have been used, to give the product an attractive appearance.