Ergonomic Cheese Grater
For: Stanford University
Class: DESIGN 141 - Product Design Methods - Winter 2023
Length: 5 Weeks
Materials: Foam Core
Skills: CAD/Fusion 360, Ergonomics Plus Evaluations, Heuristics Analysis, Design Sketching, Orthographic Sketching, User Testing and Evaluation
Type: Team Project
Why?
To explore how human-centered design principles—specifically physical ergonomics—can improve everyday tools by reducing strain and enhancing usability
To gain hands-on experience applying anthropometric data, sketching, prototyping, and CAD modeling in the context of iterative, user-informed product design
CAD Rendering: Caelan Koch
Ergonomic Analysis
Original Design: Vollrath 47700 Chrome Plated Cheese Cutter w/ Aluminum Roller
Pressure / Pain Points:
Unnatural wrist flexion and ulnar deviation
Connection between grip and hands
Design Requirements:
Determined handle length (95 mm) to keep contact between fingers and tool (no palm)
Handle diameter - greater grip force and stability
Tool shape and materials should be no slip and contoured/shaped to be held comfortably
Table: Team Effort
Force Analysis Drawings: Liv Alyn
Design Sketches
Sketches: Caelan Koch
Refined Design Sketches
Refined Design Sketches: Caelan Koch
Foam Core Handle Models
User Testing
Foam Core Handles: Caelan Koch
Bulbous handle
Keeping the handle at an angle (minimal wrist deviation)
Cutter at an angle away from the handle (90°
What Didn’t Work
Design of models weren’t intuitive
Caused some unnatural movements
What Worked
“I like [the models] to be as compact as possible.” - User 1
“4 and 3 were my favorites, 4 because of the bulb, and 3 is just comfortable, and the angle of the handle makes it easier.” - User 1
“5 I didn’t understand how to use, and it put me too far away from the cheese.” - User 1
“4 and 2 were my favorites, because they were the easiest to use, the handle length was a little bit short, but otherwise they put the least amount of strain.” - User 2
“Number 5 was really straining my wrist, and was very big.” - User 2
“My problem with some of the models was that they put my hand at a weird angle.”
- User 3
User Testing: Team Effort
Full Foam Core Models
Full Foam Core Hand Models: Caelan Koch
Final Foam Model Design
Final Model Design: Team Effort
Final CAD Model
Final CAD Rendering - Liv Alyn