Subtract and operate
Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji
Subtract and Operate Procedure
1.
2.
3. 4. 5.
Disassemble one component Operate the system Analyze the effect Deduce the sub-function of the component Replace the component and repeat n times
Step 1: Disassemble one component
Remove (subtract) a component Might be necessary to remove other components in order to
remove the desired one. These should be reassembled
Step 2: Operate the system through its full range
Test the product through the range of the customer needs For each customer need, test the product to verify the effect
of removal
Step 3: Analyze the effect
This can be done by visual inspection Other times, measurement might be needed
Step 4: Deduce the sub-function of the missing component
From step 3, the sub-functions can be deduced A change in any Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) should be
examined
Check redundancies
Step 5: Replace the component and repeat
Re-assemble the removed component Repeat n times where n is the number of components in the
assembly
Sometimes sub-assembly removal effects are studied (rather
than components)
Stapler: Exploded View
Mechanical device that
joins sheets of paper by driving a thin piece of metal and folding the ends
Stapler: Component Hierarchy Tree
Standard , Personal Stapler
Base Assembly
Top Assembly
Pin
Spring Assembly
Base Plate
Base Cover
Jaw Support
Stake Rivet
Base Spring
Top Plate
Top Locator Cover Plate
Stake Rivet
Carriage
Spring
Magazine cartridge
SOP: remove components and analyze effect
Base Assembly
Base plate: press-force is not supported Base cover: press-force goes to surface Jaw support: the movement is not solid Stake rivet: the staple is not formed
Base Spring: The arm does not move back
SOP: remove components and analyze effect
Top Assembly
Top plate: the spring assembly is loose Top cover: the hand grip is not comfortable Locator plate: the spring assembly is loose Stake rivet: not enough force is created for staples
SOP: remove components and analyze effect
Pin: the top and bottom assemblies are not held together Spring Assembly
Carriage: the cartridge does not move Spring: the staplers do not move forward Magazine cartridge: no place to put the staples