The machine my group disassembled was the Bio-Rad 1325 Econo Recorder, used in laboratories to monitor a single signal, and it can be used with other instruments such as UV/Vis monitors, pH meters, and conductivity monitors. 

We gathered screwdrivers, wire cutters, and pliers to begin the process. Next, we inspected the entire device to find a good starting point. This led us to the back of the device, where we removed the covering for the 9 batteries. The battery covering was a snap joint feature made out of plastic. Within the battery compartment, we found a fuse between the battery slots and a replacement fuse on the side. This easy-to-access space illustrates the designed purpose of replacing fuses and batteries anytime, without taking more of the device apart.

 

The second external cover removed was the gray-see-through piece. While it took a little strength to remove, the design feature of a locking clip had the mechanism to remove and the ability to replace the part if necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third component removed was the back external cover on the same side as the battery cover. Four screws using a Phillips screwdriver allowed easy disassembling. The cover was not fully detached, as one end featured a hinge mechanism.  The hinge was encased in the tan plastic molding (matching the external covers), and within the hinge section was a wide-diameter, silver pole that enabled rotation of the entire part. The design of the hinge appears to allow consumers easy access to the circuitry boards for any necessary repairs, such as re-gluing or soldering wires, checking for loose wire connections, or even replacing motors. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third external piece was interconnected through several wires that were affixed using a combination of solder and glue. The opposing ends of these wires were subsequently plugged into a printed circuit board (PCB). The connection was facilitated by a wire connector, allowing for rapid removal of the wires, while maintaining the integrity of the PCB interface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth and fifth pieces of the external cover were removed. The design feature was a snap joint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside the casing, two PCB boards were found and connected by 3 standoffs: plastic 3-4 inch cylindrical pipes with copper interior lining. Wires and 6 screws also connected the boards. One end of the wires was soldered, and the other end was connected to the bottom board with a flex PCB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After disconnecting the two PCB boards, we discovered the top PCB board contained a DC motor covered by a thin metal sheet box, along with capacitors, resistors, and transformers on the PCB board itself. Each PCB board is most likely made of layered copper, resin, fiberglass, or plastic laminate, and each has circuitry etching explicitly designed for the device.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The PCB board underneath the first one is actually directly connected to dials and switches on the front external end of the device. The dial and switch controllers are to adjust the voltage and time. In addition to the 11 controller pieces are a fuse, resistors, resistor networks, transformers, and the root of the gray standoffs. All controller pieces are made of plastic, and the two dial controllers are connected by a slim metal pole about 6 inches long. 4 screws hold this PCB board to the cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around this point, we realized the machine was designed for easy disassembling and accessibility to make quick fixes, such as fixing wiring or replacing fuses. Because of the easy disassembly that can be broken down, whether just to the battery compartment or the PCB section, the machine is also designed to be put back together with ease. Considering the device is intended for long-term use with the ability to make quick fixes, parts of the machine can be recycled for other uses.

After examining the interior components, we identified a few items directly connected to the internal structure of the external casing. We removed screws to access a compartment that housed a pulley system (composed of plastic gears and rope), along with metal screws, a slim silver pole (metal), an additional motor, and several wires.  Beneath the pole for the pulley system, a cross-shaped metal piece was connected by two gray plastic ends, allowing it to move along the slim pole. Additionally, a black sheet of metal shielded the string of the pulley system, presumably to prevent interference with the surrounding components.

The integral screws were particularly challenging to extract using a hand screwdriver, so we used a power drill instead. We discovered a tan plastic piece, potentially 3D-printed, situated in this interior compartment to facilitate gear movement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The overall interior compartment had the same plastic material as the external coverings. At the end, we checked for any other elements that could be disassembled. At one end was a transparent plastic component with ridges that was easy to disassemble from the sliding snap-in joint, secured by a metal fastener that held the two ends together. We also found a black rod to help secure the same area.

While the outer casing may seem relatively basic, I believe it was specifically designed for the assembly of this device. Remarkably, the exterior casings accounted for 68.5% of the total weight. This leads to an interesting consideration: all the power and functionality required for the device to operate weighed less than the casing necessary for human usability. It raises the question of whether manufacturers prioritize minimizing weight and bulkiness in the operating system or in the user-friendly aspects of the device. Clearly, a device needs to function well and efficiently, but also, compromising on necessary functionality could render the entire creation and make the device pointless. So, what should be prioritized, and is prioritizing a significant decision?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Take Apart lab provided valuable insights into how devices are assembled and what components should be designed first. For our device, I believe the PCB board was one of the first parts manufactured. Additionally, the hands-on process highlighted how complex machines can still rely on very simple parts, such as a pulley system and rods, for the rotation function. The parts used to assemble appear uniquely assembled for the device by incorporating off-the-shelf elements such as silver rods, DC motors, screws, controllers, dials, fuse, resistors, transformers, wires, and a pulley system.

Materials and Tool Worksheet

3 Components and Design Features Worksheet