Case Study 2 - Scissors

Case Study 2 - Scissors

1. Scissors

2. Life Cycle

   • This product is meant to last a long time because of the materials that is are being used but also the nature of the product itself. And on average the life cycle would be 5 - 10years

3. Environmental Issues

   • Though the life time of the product is extensive, the materials used to make product can contribute to global warming. This is because the processing of both the metal and plastic being used, uses a lot of fuel which produces high amounts of carbon dioxide which increases the likelihood of global warming

4. Situation and consumer choice

   • Like most pieces of stationary it can be used in many situations, from being used in schools to the in the kitchen, scissors are a necessity in most places.
     • However in terms of consumer choice, the design is extremely simple means the colours associated with the product are usually monochromatic with very little design.
       • But there are few cases where the scissors are extremely decorative on the handle, for example children's scissors, this is marketing tactic to draw in the consumer and comply them to buy the product itself.

5. Materials and Function

   • Why is ABS plastic used for the scissors?
     • Low melting point
       • The plastic being heated at a lower temperature means that not as much energy is required therefore making it cheaper.
     • Easily coloured
       • When the it is powder form, small pallets of die can be added before heating which means that the suppliers can change the colour depending on what the target market desires
     • High strength to weight ratio
       • This is useful because the if the scissors were too heavy then the target market wouldn't be able to use it. Also if the plastic wasn't strong enough then the metal would rip through plastic covering and end up hurting the user
   • Why is stainless steel used to make the scissors
     • Wear-resistant
       • The product may require this so that the product has a longer life cycle which means that the consumer doesn't have to change the pair of scissors frequently
     • Corrosion-resistant and Chemical resistant
       • This is necessary because the product maybe used to open things like a packet of flavouring that might have a high acid therefore it wouldn't corrode. Similarly it needs to be corrosion resistant because the scissors needed to be cleaned
     • Tough
       • This means that it won't break under the pressure of force that may be applied when the consumer is cutting a strong material, for example a thick piece of plastic

6. Cost

   • Though the actual raw materials that are used to make scissors are in abundance, the process of making the scissors itself can cost a lot due to the high temperatures required to melt the steel and the specific moulds needed to make the shape of the grip of the sciccors

7. Manufacturing Methods

   • The grip of the scissors
     • They are injection moulded, molten plastic is forced under pressure into a mould in the shape of the handle. It is then allowed to cool and the mould is the then open and the handles contain hollow slots into which the ends of the blanks can be inserted. A strong adhesive is then used to keep the handle firmly attached
     • Another way of creating the handle is dip coating, which is where the component is heated to above te softening point of the polymer, which is in the form of a fine powder, then is dipped into the polymer. The polymer is then adhered to the heated metal, which begins to cools and so the polymer solidifies into a protective layer.
   • The metal section of the scissors
     • One way of creating the scissors, is using a cold stamping method, where a sharp die in the shape of the blank is stamped int the sheet on unheated steel. The die cuts through the steel to form the blank.
       • Drop forging; the blank is heated and the drop hammer is used to add pressure to force the blank into more of refined shape
         • The blanks are then trimmed to cut of excess metal and holes are drilled in order to attach the blade together.
     • It can also be made through moulding, this is when molten steel is poured into a mould in the shape of the blank. The steel cools bank into a soild and the blank is removed.
   • Assembling the scissors
     • The two blades are attached using a rivet or screw through the holes. Rivets can not be adjusted by the consumer whereas a screw can be adjusted (but are more expensive)
       • Scissors are then adjusted to make sure they work together.
   • Finishing
     • The blanks are hardened by heating them, then quickly cooling. This is known as tempering to give uniform hardness
       • The blades are then sanded, this grinds the steel to form a sharp edge. During this process the blade is cooled with water to prevent warping. The blade is then polished with smaller grit sanding belt
         • They are then painted or plated with nickel or chrome to protect them from rust.

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