Standardization in Industrial Design: The Benefits and Challenges

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of standardization in industrial design, particularly focusing on its implications for product assembly and functionality. Participants share personal experiences with standardized components in furniture and appliances, exploring both the benefits and challenges of such practices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that many components of office chairs are standardized across different manufacturers, including screw types and hole placements.
  • One participant humorously claims to be a "genius" for planning to repair broken chairs using standardized parts.
  • Another participant expresses frustration with industrialization, citing issues with poorly designed standardized components.
  • Some participants share anecdotes about the use of universal switches in appliances, highlighting the practical benefits of standardization in repairs.
  • There is a recognition that while standardization can simplify assembly and repair, it can also lead to frustrations when quality is compromised.
  • One participant mentions that standardization is particularly rigorous in aerospace design, implying a high level of specification and control.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of appreciation and frustration regarding standardization, indicating that while it can provide benefits, it also presents challenges. There is no clear consensus on whether standardization is ultimately beneficial or detrimental.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions touch on the quality of standardized products, suggesting that not all standardized items meet high standards, which remains an unresolved concern among participants.

Pengwuino
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And the ISO (if they are the ones who allowed this to happen).

Why? Well, so far this family is on 'sweet-executive-leather-chair' #3

Shown here...

http://www.officedepot.com/pictures/SK/MD/800695_sk_md.jpg

Now, we have 2 broken and 1 new chair. As I assemble this new one, I just realized that almost everything about these chairs (even though they are from different companies) are standardized. The holes (except for arm chairs) are all in the same position, the screws are the same as well. Hell the packaging for the screws were the same! So what I'm going to do is use the handy re-order form and buy new parts and fix the old 2 chairs! Man I am a genius. Wheres my PHD in chair-assembly. That's Dr. Pengwuino to you!
 
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Hey, I am sitting on that chair right now!

Now, we have 2 broken and 1 new chair. As I assemble this new one, I just realized that almost everything about these chairs (even though they are from different companies) are standardized. The holes (except for arm chairs) are all in the same position, the screws are the same as well. Hell the packaging for the screws were the same! So what I'm going to do is use the handy re-order form and buy new parts and fix the old 2 chairs! Man I am a genius. Wheres my PHD in chair-assembly. That's Dr. Pengwuino to you!


You would know this if you didn't waste time on physics and studied mechanical engineering. Are you sure were not related?
 
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cyrusabdollahi said:
Hey, I am sitting on that chair right now!

Well that one obviously isn't mine. Office depot makes a special Penguin line for those of other species.

Oh damn you industrialization! These jerks made one of these holes too small for one of the screws to go in! ROAR!
 
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Wow I love industrialization
I love it because it let's me build marines, and if I have oil, tanks too!
 
Hurkyl said:
I love it because it let's me build marines, and if I have oil, tanks too!

lol :smile:
 
Pengwuino said:
And the ISO (if they are the ones who allowed this to happen).
Why? Well, so far this family is on 'sweet-executive-leather-chair' #3
Shown here...
http://www.officedepot.com/pictures/SK/MD/800695_sk_md.jpg
Now, we have 2 broken and 1 new chair. As I assemble this new one, I just realized that almost everything about these chairs (even though they are from different companies) are standardized. The holes (except for arm chairs) are all in the same position, the screws are the same as well. Hell the packaging for the screws were the same! So what I'm going to do is use the handy re-order form and buy new parts and fix the old 2 chairs! Man I am a genius. Wheres my PHD in chair-assembly. That's Dr. Pengwuino to you!
You know, they sell screws in the hardware store too. :biggrin:
 
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Hmm, after seeing your bookshelf, I am not sure if I would want to sit in a chair constructed by Dr. Pengwuino :smile:
 
I've had mine for about 4 years now, still works *shrugs*.
If you have ever tried to put together more than one cheap computer desk (under $600 maybe?) than you would know that everything is standardized on them.
I was wondering, if they standardize it, why did they have to standardize such crap? :(
 
Pengwuino said:
And the ISO (if they are the ones who allowed this to happen).
I just realized that almost everything about these chairs (even though they are from different companies) are standardized. The holes (except for arm chairs) are all in the same position, the screws are the same as well. Hell the packaging for the screws were the same! So what I'm going to do is use the handy re-order form and buy new parts and fix the old 2 chairs! Man I am a genius. Wheres my PHD in chair-assembly. That's Dr. Pengwuino to you!

Here's a story of standardization taken to a another level.

A while back I had a microwave oven that quit working. I opened it up to check the fuse, and found instead that it was the contact switch that shut the power off when you opened the door that had gone bad.

Upon closer inspection, I found that the switch could be popped open and the contacts could be re-arranged so that it operated as either an "normally open" or "normally closed" switch. This one was arranged as normally open. The contacts had become burnt (probably from people opening the door before the oven was done cooking). If I re-arranged the switch to normally closed modem it used the other side of the contact, which was good, I'd have a working switch, but of the wrong type.

As it turned out, there was another switch of the same type in the oven set to normally closed, so I just re-arranged both switches and exchanged their positions.

So because the manufacturer used this "universal" contact switch I got the microwave up and running almost right away.

Now here's the kicker:

They have this huge trash compacter at work that quit this summer. I was walking by while the repairman had its control box open, and quess what I saw? That same universal contact switch that was in my microwave!
 
  • #10
Standardization is a double edged sword. It can really save your but, but it can make life miserable sometimes too.

If you like standardization, you'd love designing in aerospace. There are specifications for everything you can possibly imagine.
 

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