For the take-apart lab, Nicole and I disassembled a Shure Audio Distribution Amplifier. Through some internet searching, we found that our device is used to route audio feeds to various outputs. It has one input and six different outputs for sound.

To begin, we had to remove several screws from the outer shell of our device. We were able to remove the top and side panels to uncover a few circuit boards that were beneath the outer core.

Once we opened up the device, we began to unscrew the circuit boards from the outer housing and explore what components were on the boards themselves. The first components we noticed were the large black and white motors. We used wire cutters to remove them from the circuit board and attempted to take them apart. Unfortunately, they were not easy to disassemble. With this in mind, we determined that they were definitely not built to be fixed if they were broken. If any of these motors failed, that output would no longer be able to be used.

In addition to the motors, we noticed potentiometers on the main circuit board and decided to see if we would be able to disassemble those. We were able to do so, and it was neat to see the inner pieces of the potentiometer. However, while we were able to remove the potentiometer and disassemble it, there would be no way of reassembling it since we had use pliers to bend the metal and wire cutters to remove the potentiometer from circuit board. These pieces were also not likely made to be repaired.

After we had observed the main circuit board, we looked to the secondary circuit board which had the slot for batteries and a few other power components. This board was similar in appearance to the main one, but with less components overall. The one peculiar thing we saw about this board was that there were a couple of spots for fuses, however it looked like one of the fuses was missing. We were not sure if this was because the fuse had been used during a repair, the device was incorrectly manufactured, or some if there was some other reason for the missing fuse.

Overall, exploring this device it seemed as if it wasn’t made to be disassembled or repaired. However, there was a sticker on the inside of the device that hinted to something else. The sticker said “NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.” It seems as if our device may have been built to be fixed by a professional, but not the typical user.

It was very interesting to be able to explore a device like this. The one thing I found most interesting was how neat everything seemed to be organized inside the device, even though it wasn’t recommended that repairs be made. I was intrigued to find everything so aesthetically pleasing even on the inside. I really enjoyed this project and I think it will be a great introduction to the manufacturing that we will be completing throughout the semester.