Professional Documents
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1. Aesthetics: -
Aesthetic is defined as a set of principles of appreciation of beauty.
1.1. Aesthetic is deals with the appearance of the product. Appearance is the outward expression
of quality of the product and is the first communication of the product with the user is nothing but
the appearance of the product.
1.2. Now days, number of products available in the market are having most of the parameters
identical, so the appearance of the product plays a major role in attracting the customer.
1.3. To compete and succeed in the market place, manufacturers will have to look beyond
reliability and physical quality, and pay more and more attention to the aesthetic and subjective
quality of the product.
1.4. Aesthetic quality and cannot be separated from the product quality.
2. The parameters that are normally considered by the customer while selecting
the products are:
Each product is to be designed to perform a specific function or a set of function to the satisfaction of
the customer. Some of the important parameters are as given below.
2.1. Functional performance.
2.2. Durability.
2.3. Initial costs.
2.4. Running costs.
2.5. Ability to withstand adverse condition.
2.6. Comfort to user.
2.7. Aesthetic and ergonomic considerations.
3. Guidelines in Aesthetic Design:-
3.1. The appearance should contribute to the performance of the product. Example, the
aerodynamic shape of the car will have a lesser air resistance, resulting in lesser fuel
consumption.
3.2. The appearance should reflect the function of the product. Example, the aerodynamic shape
indicates the speed.
3.3. The appearance should reflect the quality of the product. Example, the robust and heavy
appearance of the hydraulic press reflects its strength and rigidity.
3.4. The appearance should not be at too much of extra cost unless it is a prime requirement.
3.5. The appearance should be achieved by the effective and economical use of materials.
3.6. The appearance should be suitable to the environment in which the product is used.
4.3. Colour:-
Colour is one of the major contributors to the aesthetic appeal of the product. Many colours
are linked with different moods and conditions.
The selection of the colour should be compatible with the conventions. Morgan has suggested
the colour code given in table.
Colour Meaning
Red Danger, Hot
Orange Possible danger
Yellow Caution
Green Safe
Blue Cold
Grey Dull
4.4. Continuity:-
A product which has good continuity of elements is aesthetically appealing.
For example, a fillet radius at the change of cross section adds the continuity to the product,
and hence improves the appearance as shown in fig.
4.5. Variety:-
Variety is particularly useful while marketing the range of products. The variety relieves the
user of the boredom.
For example, in consumer appliances, the functionally identical products are manufactured in
a number of varieties by a single manufacturer.
4.6. Proportion:-
Proportion is concerned with the relationship, in size, between connected items or elements of
items.
The product which is out of proportion is not aesthetically pleasing.
Normally, the proportions of the products are developed from the sound functional
requirements, but can sometimes override the functional aspects.
The spanner, shown in fig satisfies the functional requirements and is also easy to
manufacture. But it is out of proportion, and hence poor in appearance.
The spanner shown in fig. is in proportion and aesthetically pleasing.
4.7. Contrast:-
Contrast is a distinction between the adjacent elements of the product which have clearly
different characteristic and functions.
The contrast improves the aesthetic appeal of the product.
4.9. Style:-
Style is a visual quality of the product which sets it apart from the rest of the functionally
identical products.
Aesthetic and Ergonomic considerations in Design (Year 2012-13) Page 3
Prof. R. B. Patil ( JJMCOE, Jaysingpur)
Good style will skilfully reflect a current public mood, which may be influenced by the
technological developments, or by a prevailing social or environmental climate.
4.10. Material and surface finish:-
The material and surface finish of the product contribute significantly to the appearance.
The material like, stainless steel gives better appearance than the C.I., plain carbon steel or low
alloy steels.
The brass or bronze give richness to the appearance of the product.
The products with better surface finish are always aesthetically pleasing.
The surface coating processes like, spray painting, anodizing, electroplating, etc. greatly
enhances the aesthetic appeal of product.
4.11. Tolerances:-
Proper tolerance of the mating parts improves the aesthetic appeal of the product.
Unwanted clearance or interference hampers the aesthetic appeal.
4.12. Noise:-
Unwanted noise is disturbing and is suggestive of some malfunction within the product, and
hence it greatly reduces the aesthetic appeal.
A. Qualitative Display: -the displays which indicate only the condition or state without giving the
values are known as Qualitative display.
Examples, traffic signals, on-off indicators.
Types of qualitative displays.
Circular dial.
Straight legend.
Coloured lights.
B. Quantitative Display: -the display which give the quantitative measurements or numerical
information are known as quantitative displays.
Examples, voltmeter, ammeter, speedometer, watches, energy meter etc.
Types of quantitative displays.
Moving pointer – fixed scale type display.
Fixed pointer – movable scale type display.
Digital display.
9. Design of controls:-
The anthropometric and functional anatomy data is used while designing the control members. Some
of the control members are as discussed below.
a. Design of Push Button: - A push button is a reciprocating control which has positive action only in
one direction. It is operated by finger. The top surface of push button is slightly concave. Pressing
force = 0.3 to 1.2 kgf. Button diameter = 12 to 15mm. movement distance = 3 to 10mm. distance
between adjacent push button should be at least 6mm. Stop push button is made larger than the others
and of size up to 25mm. Also painted red colour.
b. Design of Toggle switches: - used in light duty electrical switching operations. Diameter = 3 to
12mm. length = 12 to 25mm. generally mounted in vertical position. Movement required 30 to 40
degree on both side. Placed in horizontal row.
c. Design of Knobs:-knobs are control members which can be operated freely by gripping with the
fingers of one hand. It is continuous function type, making fine adjustment and used as selector.
d. Design of Cranks:- It is used for providing the torque by hands. It is used when turning speed is up
to 200 rpm, when rapid complete turns are required, when heavy loads are to be moved manually.
They are not mounted permanently on the shaft.
e. Design of Levers: - A lever is a rod-like control working in one direction about a fulcrum. Length of
travel is small. Fast movement of travel is required. Load is medium to heavy. Travel should not be
more than 175mm and handle of the lever is so placed that the arm of the operator is straight at the
end of travel. Operated by single hand.
f. Design of Hand wheel: -A hand wheel is a circular control member which is gripped by the rim or
the handle during operation. It is used when, turning speed is low (up to 1 rpm), accurate partial
turning is required, and torque required is greater than 20kgf.
i. Star wheel: - it consists of three or more lever attached to a shaft. Force required is more than the
hand wheel (15%).
j. Joystick:- it is fast, coarse and simultaneous two dimensional for light operating loads. They are
used in CNC machines and computers.
10. Layout of panels
The layout of the control panel should increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the user or operator.
Some of the general guidelines for the layout of the panel are as follows.
1. Sequence of operation:-
When a machine is controlled by the sequential operation of a number of control devices,
the controls and displays should be arranged in the sequence of operation.
This makes the operation easier and convenient for the user.
2. Functional Grouping: -
Certain controls or displays are associated with a particular function. Such controls or
displays should be grouped together.
Example, a motor car controls are mounted on the steering column and those controls are
related to warning or signalling to others ( driving lights, direction indicators, horn etc.)
are grouped together.
3. Related control arrangement:-
For the ease of identification, the arrangement of group of controls should be the same as
the devises controlled by them.
For example, the four controls that operates the four electric hot plates are not readily
identified when arranged as shown in figure but are readily identified when arranged as
shown in figure.
4. Frequency of use:-
Some controls and displays are used more frequently as compare to others. Such controls
and displays should be placed nearest to the user.
Example, in a car, the speedometer is placed exactly in front of driver as it is most
frequently read.
5. Easy identification of controls or displays:-
The controls or displays on the panel should be easily identified by the user. This is the
most easily achieved if they contrast well with the panel face and are arranged in irregular
groups.