This past week we were able to participate in the take apart lab with two other students in the class. Our team got a coffee maker for our item we took apart.
Pictured above is us starting to remove the screws and other components off the back side of the coffee machine
We started by getting all of the tools we thought we were going to need and assessed the coffee machine. We then started to use the Phillips screw drivers to undo the screws getting some of the outer shell components off. In this process we realized that the machine was put together by clips that needed to be released in order to remove the plastic outer shell. As we continued take out all of the screws in the outer casing, we faced an issue with some of the screws on the back of the coffee machine as they were stuck. We then decided to use pliers to pull the screws out which ended up being very helpful.
Pictured above is our attempt at removing the screws with a screwdriver
Pictured above is our attempt at removing screws with the pliers
We continued to take off the components of the coffee machine. Another roadblock that we faced in our attempt to take the machine apart was the use of torx screws in the machine which could not be taken apart with a proper tool. We therefore, had to be creative with what instruments we used to remove these screws. There were a lot of protective layers in this coffee machine as we continued to remove parts, which led us to realize that the machine was not supposed to be taken a part. Once we removed the outer casing of the machine there was still a metal encasing that covered most of the vital components of the coffee machine. Once we removed this metal encasing, we were finally able to reach the circuit board that controlled the machine functions as well as the heating component of the machine.
Pictured above is the depiction of the layers that existed in the coffee machine (plastic outer shell and inner metal encasing)
Pictured above is the metal encasing that covered the heating components and circuit board.
Once we were able to remove all parts of the coffee machine, we laid out the parts and grouped them by section of the coffee machine which can be seen in the pictures below:
Our team then had the chance to assess the different parts of the machine. Many parts of the machine look as though they were bought off the shelf such as the screws, and other light components. However, some of the components of the machine like the coffee machine encasing (outer and inner metal shell) and circuit boards were made specifically for this device and most likely not purchased off the shelf. Additionally, after looking at all the parts and taking it a part it seems that while the machine could be potentially repaired if broken, it would take a lot of breaking down of components and would be rather hard to be put back together, making it easier for this device to be thrown away if something were to happen instead of repairing it. Additionally, this device does have parts that were able to come out without being bent or broken in the process, allowing for certain components of the machine to be recycled for other uses in the future.
After taking a part the coffee machine, I was able to see that at least 60% if not more of the coffee machine itself was made up of the outer and inner casing (plastic and metal) and not the actual components of the machine that make it work. Additionally, through this lab I was able to learn that machines such as this coffee machine are put together in very specific ways as to prevent individuals from taking it apart and seeing what is inside. I also realized that there is a lot of extra materials that are used in building these types of machines which I am not sure is truly necessary. The machine could have functioned with less of the plastic and metal that made the encasing parts of the larger machine.
Links to Worksheets:
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-3Joh8I3sE5etItOifDsXji_kKLHfx4u/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116823846454372579449&rtpof=true&sd=true
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/18KbuD6wOhYNJvvpTyf2D7CFhMAV5VMh_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116823846454372579449&rtpof=true&sd=true
Picture of our clean workspace post take a part lab:
