DESIGN NAME: Guardian 7000
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Hotplate Stirrer
INSPIRATION: Safety is the number one priority for laboratories and hotplate-stirrers left unattended can be the cause of catastrophic accidents including fires. The design intention of Guardian Hotplate-Stirrers is to protect people, samples and ultimately the lab. We analyzed our competitors, conducted a focus group, and performed market surveys in the United States and Europe. All results emphasized the importance of safety. Our design mission for the Guardian 7000 Hotplate-Stirrer; Think Safer. Think Smart.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Guardian 7000 Hotplate-Stirrers modernize the lab with integrated Smart technology including SmartPresence, SmartLink, SmartRate, SmartHeat, SafetyHeat, and SmartHousing. Units are designed with outstanding, patent pending safety features and superior heating and mixing performance. These unique, industry leading Smart features ensure precise sample control and provide peace of mind for operating safely in the lab.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The product operates with simple rotations and presses of two control knobs, one controlling temperature of the top plate and the other controlling the speed of the motor. The menu with advanced features is easily accessed by a long press of the temperature knob. The unit also features a timer that can be set with a long press of the speed knob.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The Guardian 7000 project started in September 2017 in Thorofare, New Jersey and finished in March 2020 in Thorofare, New Jersey where the product was released to distribution hubs. In March of 2020 a product launch event was held at Pittcon 2020 in Chicago.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The Guardian 7000 design was realized through market research and competitive analysis. The unit enclosure was designed using injection molding of chemically resistant resins that stay cool even at a maximum temperature of 500C. Internal electronics were designed to provide automatic safety features not available in competitor models, using Bluetooth and infrared technology. The design also provides best in class accuracy and repeatability through extensive software development driving the electrical system.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Product comes in 3 sizes
Guardian 7 x 7, 223.5mm x 309.9mm x 121.9mm
Guardian 10 x 10, 285.8mm x 414.0mm x 121.9mm
Guardian Round Top, 172.7mm x 266.7mm x 127mm
TAGS: Guardian, Ohaus, Hotplate-Stirrer, Hotplate, Stirrer, Laboratory Equipment, Research Equipment
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The Guardian 7000 was designed with safety, performance, and innovation in mind. Market research presented an opportunity to include SmartPresence™ and SmartLink™, features that protect the user with Bluetooth and Infrared technologies to automatically shut off the heater if the user is undetected. Industry leading SafetyHeat™ technology monitors the electronics to prevent overheating. The powerful motor magnet assembly provide users the ability to stir a wide array of sample types.
CHALLENGE: The Guardian 7000 was an opportunity to upgrade the MMI from an Led display controlled by a membrane switch with buttons to a modern Lcd display and simple knob control. Designing intuitive icons for the LCD display that represented the Smart features was a creative task where there was strong collaboration with Marketing and R&D. The new software that was designed for simple knob control was tested internally and externally to ensure an easy-to-use unit for a positive customer experience.
ADDED DATE: 2021-09-20 19:21:57
TEAM MEMBERS (7) : Design Manager: Michael Manera, Designer: Amanda Mallinder, Designer: Stephen Reagoso, Designer: John Barber, Designer: Steve Krupsky, Marketing: Teri Trefz and Creative Director: Tracey Hill
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Photographer Steve Silvers, G7000 Round HPS LCD All Beaker Stir Left, 2019
Optional Image #1: Photographer Steve Silvers, Groups, 2019
Optional Image #2: Photographer Steve Silvers, G7000 7 x 7 HPS Smartrates Angle1, 2019
Optional Image #3: Photographer Steve Silvers, G7000 10 x 10 HPS LCD All Creative 2 Close Up, 2019
Optional Image #4: Photographer Steve Silvers, G7000 Round HPS Hand On Knob Left USP3, 2019
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Patent Pending. US20210094006A1. OHAUS Corporation. 2019
Patent Pending. EP3797868A1. OHAUS Corporation. 2019
Patent Pending. CN112570055A. OHAUS Corporation. 2019
Trademarks, SmartPresence™, SmartLink™, SmartRate™, SmartHeat™, SafetyHeat™, and SmartHousing™
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