Zephyr
Pneumatic Nibbler
Design Brief:
Redesign the pneumatic nibbler, a power tool for cutting sheet material, with a focus on ergonomics and useability
Research
The first step to designing a new tool was in-depth research on pneumatics and the tool market.
Pneumatics Research Report
made as a team with Jeremie Ranger, Camryn O'Donnell, Micheal Fiorella, Matthew Walmsley, and Alexander Whiteley
Sketching
User Testing
Prototypes were built and tested to explore various handle shapes, angles, and hand positions. The users were tasked with tracing lines across a corrugated surface to simulate cutting a sheet of profiled material such as siding.
Among the multiple handle angles, the straight and short handle was found to be the most maneuverable for a variety of use situations. It allowed for significant changes in cutting angle and direction without putting the arm and wrist into extreme positions. The compact body also allowed for the tool to navigate more extreme profiles without interference.
Final Design
The final design for the Zephyr addresses first and foremost the ergonomics issues identified in traditional nibblers. Features such as the swivel air inlet and the built-in silencer improve the workflow for professional users.
A final appearance model was sculpted out of high-density foam and painted to realistically imitate the final materials. Additional components were 3D printed and painted to complete the model.
Technical Drawings
