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© 2010 Form and Function, Inc.
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Case Study:
Defining a new technology
Coaxmedia Sand Dollar MDU cable modem
Design by Lionel Gillespie and Sam Harris
Mechanical design by Jim Heberling
Coaxmedia was a startup company in search of a product identity to deliver a new technology. They were able to secure patents for their device’s ability to manage cable modems in large groups, for multiple dwelling units, i.e. apartments and hotels.
We needed to resolve two fundamental needs, one physical and one emotional, defining the device’s unique character. It had to be out of the way when the room was being cleaned, even on the floor, the wall, who knows? That suggested a flattened disk form. To this we married an X, symbolizing a junction or joining of the user’s computer with the web. Their offspring was dubbed the sand dollar.
The initial goal was to make a concept rendering to attract new capital investors.
The second phase refined the definition and user interface. Over time, the product interface was refined from a “lump in the cable” approach to a much more user friendly display, first on top, then behind a front window. Low quantity at the start meant an inability to afford complete integration of the circuits, so the size had to grow. Scale became a challenge.
Third phase was to prepare the unit for production. As always we worked closely with pcb designers, the tooler and molder to ensure smooth assembly.
Lastly, we developed an aluminum mounting bracket assembly and a package, including color graphics.
©2010 Form and Function, Inc. |
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