The goal/Task

The 10 week long junior design course consisted of creating a hypothetical biomedical engineering problem, and designing a preliminary solution that would satisfy the problem statement. I was able to work on my project with two other group members. Our goal was to design a solution that allows for older generation (65+) golfers with hand and wrist motor deficiencies to properly and fully grip the handle of a golf club to maximize their swing. 

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The Action

As a team, we did background research to learn more about elderly golfers, the techniques of a golf swing, as well as find correlations between fine motor disabilities and age. Next, we completed market analysis, as this allows developers to research marketed products, patents, and studies that are similar in functionality to their design. With this in mind, we were able to come up with our problem statement and start exploring our options for designs. We came up with five solid designs, which we evaluated based on established feasibility and merit criteria. This eventually led us to our final design, the Magnetic Clip Glove (shown below). The design was broken down into subsystems; the rotating piece, magnets, and materials subsystem and each was owned by one group member. We were also able to budget and estimate our projected costs to manufacture one of these gloves. 

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The Result

As a design team, we were able to request permission to proceed with the design and to deliver this design to the client as detailed in the Preliminary Design Document (PDD). 

As a result of this project, I learned a great deal about product development and I significantly advanced my skills in technical writing. I also learned how to take professional feedback and apply it to improve my writing skills for lab reports, PDDs, and quality/manufacturing/design documentation. I will also continue to develop these skills as I go through my year long, senior capstone design project.

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