Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2020
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Center for Manufacturing Excellence
First Advisor
Scott Kilpatrick
Second Advisor
Jody Holland
Third Advisor
Rick Hollander
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this document is to summarize the research and planning, design, market evaluation, cost analysis, and production process for a kitchen knife block. The team began by researching multiple knife block designs and evaluating what strengths and weaknesses existed with the basic models that are currently offered in different marketplaces. After collecting data on material costs and discussing different design features, the team created a survey in order to gauge consumer preferences and gain a better understanding as to what features and price point the average customer would consider purchasing. The resulting information was used to create an initial product design that would evolve throughout the prototyping phase. Once the product design was finalized, the team generated a cost estimate for manufacturing the product and established a production process that featured a factory floor layout and a conceptual workflow chart to guide production. However, complications resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic interrupted plans for product production and the inability to utilize Center for Manufacturing Excellence facilities and tools eliminated the possibility of conducting an actual production run. Regardless, the team still focused on improving the product and its manufacturing process by creating a detailed standardized workflow chart along with an improvement log.
Recommended Citation
Payne, Benjamin, "A Study of the Product Development Process for the Transparent Kitchen Knife Block" (2020). Honors Theses. 1403.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1403
Accessibility Status
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